Research Education
Serial Killers

Understanding serial killers requires looking beyond violence alone. J.D. Allen, James Glass, Jeremy Finley, Lisa Malice, R.G. Belsky, Richard Helms, and Shirley B. Garrett examine the psychology and pathology behind serial murder. This session focuses on mindset, motivation, and internal logic, giving writers the tools to portray serial killers with depth, realism, and narrative purpose.

Serial killers in fiction often blur into myth, but reality is more complex and disturbing. Jon Jefferson examines the psychology of serial killers as they exist in the real world and how those realities translate into effective storytelling. Writers gain insight into behavior, motivation, and mindset, helping them create chilling characters that feel authentic rather than exaggerated.

What happens when you come face to face with real serial killers? Author and former associate warden James L’Etoile draws on years of experience inside a maximum security prison to share what he learned from direct contact with some of the most dangerous offenders. This session explores how serial killers think, what motivates them, and how writers can portray evil in a way that feels grounded, unsettling, and true to life.

Not all serial offenders fit the same psychological mold. Richard Helms explores the mental makeup of serial killers and other repeat offenders, breaking down patterns of behavior and decision making. This session helps writers understand how these offenders operate, how they escalate, and what truly drives them, offering a deeper foundation for writing complex and believable antagonists.

Why are writers and readers drawn to stories about serial killers? Chelsea Cain, Jennifer Hillier, Jennifer McMahon, Patrick Kendrick, and Rick Mercer discuss the dark appeal of the genre and what defines compelling serial killer fiction. This session explores fascination, fear, and moral tension, helping writers understand how to write about evil without glorifying it.