How to Write & Market Your Mystery Novel: A Step-By-Step Guide from Idea to Final Rewrite and Marketing

Jean Hager writes enjoyable mysteries. This is a major accomplishment in a market sometimes flooded with literary angst. Many people buy mysteries with which to relax. Unfortunately, some publishers seem to forget this and try to produce GREAT LITERATURE. For many of us, GREAT LITERATURE is rather less than relaxing. Hager's book, "How to Write & Market Your Mystery Novel," is a small guide to writing the mystery. If you are interested in working in this genre, this is a very good (and inexpensive) place to start learning your trade. She explores mystery subgenres, touches on characterization, gives the basics of dialogue, and covers the other necessary considerations of good writing. This book is a first step. From here you go on to Orson Scott Card, Lawrence Block, Dwight V. Swain, and Noah Lukeman.

Before my first book (Death in Little Tokyo)came out, Jean Hager not only gave me sage advice about the writing life, she also provided a wonderful example of how a published writer should treat an unpublished writer. Therefore, it was with some anticipation that I received her "How to Write & Market Your Mystery Novel." I wasn't disappointed.This slim volume is packed with Jean's pithy but professional advice. It covers the gamut from defining mystery sub-genres to marketing your manuscript. Jean has published over 50 novels, and has three successful mystery series published, so she speaks from a wealth of experience. If you're interested in writing mysteries, Jean's book will be a valuable addition to your library. For writing, I personally value Lawrence Block's "Spider, spin me a web," his "Telling Lies for Fun and Profit" and Margaret Chittenden's "How to Write Your Novel." Jean's work will now join this group of b! ooks I recommend to aspiring writers.Best,Dale Furutani