Author, Compulsively Readable Thrillers
One of the reasons I started writing crime fiction twenty years ago was my fascination with criminal forensics. Like everyone else in the country, I was glued to the TV during the OJ Simpson trial. Apart from my surprise at his acquittal, I was introduced to a brave new world. Prior to the trial … Read more
Eighteen months ago I interviewed my good friend William Kent Krueger on my Second Sunday Crime radio show —actually it was the show premiere. At the time he’d just started writing his 15th Cork O’Connor novel. It’s now been released. It’s called Manitou Canyon, so now seems like the perfect time to delve into what Kent and I … Read more
Thanks to Scott Biram for the title… As the poet, novelist and short story writer Charles Bukowski said, “Writing about a writer’s block is better than not writing at all”. I know what he means. For the first time in years I am uncertain what to write. I’m stumped, stuck in the mud, and blue. … Read more
Co-authoring with prominent authors or their estates (when they’re no longer with us) is a fast-growing trend for crime authors. Many are following the James Patterson model, who released 15 novels in 2014 alone. “23 other authors have been paid out of Patterson’s own pocket to write them for him. It is not a fact … Read more
Some readers read mainly one genre. Romance, for example. Or historicals. Or Sci-fi. The genres include many variations on a theme, but, generally, each novel is similar to the next. Which can be comforting. You know what you’re going to get. I’d like to think the crime fiction genre is different. As a crime thriller … Read more
I try to answer that on the Kobo Writing Life blog today. Let me know what you think… Posted on March 7, 2016 by Kobo Writing Life One comment By Libby Fischer Hellmann My latest thriller, Jump Cut, is the fifth Ellie Foreman mystery, and it’s been ten years since the fourth one came … Read more
I have a favor to ask. A couple of months ago I asked my Review Crew to tell me which lines in Jump Cut they thought were worth remembering. They came up with four, which are below. Would you help share these quotes and images with YOUR followers and friends? All you do is hover over … Read more
Hi, all. I was interviewed by Stephen Campbell recently about what I’ve been doing to launch JUMP CUT, the 5th installment of my Ellie Foreman mysteries (Thrillers really), and the first one in ten years. I hope you find it useful… maybe even entertaining. Listening to myself, I am reminded how exhausted I am. In … Read more
What makes a genre a genre? It’s more than plot. And characters. Take thrillers. At the heart of every good thriller there are at least five key elements that should be present. If you’ve ever read a lackluster, “low-fat” thriller that left you unsatisfied, it might have been missing one of these ingredients. Put an … Read more
Hi, everyone. Just wanted you to know that a Goodreads Giveaway for Jump Cut starts today and goes through the beginning of February. I’m giving away 3 print copies for free! Hope you’ll sign up by clicking below… Goodreads Book Giveaway Jump Cut by Libby Fischer Hellmann Giveaway ends February 03, 2016. See … Read more