Write What You Know or Research What You Don’t?

Presented by: Joe Clifford | Katrina McPherson | Nancy G. West | Susanna Calkins

In this candid conversation, mystery authors share how they balance personal experience with deep research. They discuss when real-world expertise gives a story its edge, when imagination takes the lead, and how to convincingly write beyond your comfort zone without losing authenticity.

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Writing the Hero Who Breaks the Rules

Antihero, Character, Craft, Crime

Anthony Rainone, Chris Ewan, Jason Starr, Jodi Compton, Joseph Pittman, and Rob Byrnes explore the art of writing antiheroes. They discuss moral ambiguity, internal conflict, and how to keep readers invested even when a protagonist walks the line between right and...

The Middle of Your Book: Pushing the Story Forward When It Starts to Stall

Plot

A strong middle keeps tension alive and pushes the story toward its conclusion. In a lively Q&A, Clay Stafford and Joyce Carol Oates discuss how to sustain narrative drive through the heart of a manuscript. This session explores ways to keep scenes purposeful,...

Crime For Middle Grades: How to Write Mysteries Kids Love

Middle Grades, Teen Detective, Young Adult

Authors discuss writing crime fiction for middle-grade readers, focusing on the young sleuths they’ve created and the mentors who guide them. This session explores the unique challenges and rewards of crafting mysteries for pre-teen audiences, from age-appropriate...

Write What You Know or Research What You Don’t?

Writing the Hero Who Breaks the Rules

The Middle of Your Book: Pushing the Story Forward When It Starts to Stall

Crime For Middle Grades: How to Write Mysteries Kids Love

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