Freelancing for Pleasure and Profit

Issue #22

Greetings, Gather writers, and welcome to this issue of Freelancing for Pleasure and Profit. Have you ever wondered how the really big crime writers get their information about criminals, forensics, and crime lab procedures for use in their manuscripts? They've certainly gone way above watching their weekly episodes of Criminal Intent or Law and Order! In fact the big writers probably have access to contacts within police departments, the FBI, and other agencies that handle notable murders, rapists, and arsonists. But what do the "little guys" like us do?

In addition to contacting your local police force for interviews...or better yet some observation privileges (some forces will welcome you with open arms; others will look at you like you've grown a number of mismatched heads!), there are a few exceptional books designed to educate writers on some of the jargon and procedures involved with criminal investigations. In today's column I'm going to briefly describe a few of these books. If you're serious about writing crime stories, I'd strongly suggest reading one or more of these options.

1. Police Procedural....a writer's guide to the police and how they work by Russell Bintliff

ISBN 0898795966

This book is an excellent tutorial on how cops work, starting with training for the force and ending with investigating crimes. Detailed topics include interrogations, equipment used, internal investigations, suspect lists and descriptions, weaponry, evidence handling and more. Written as a reference for writers, you can't go wrong investing in this book.

2. Be Your Own Detective by Greg Fallis and Ruth Greenberg

ISBN 0871318725

Although not written specifically for writers, good information is shared on "new technological advances in the art of snooping." There are tips on determining if a spouse is cheating, finding people who owe money, tracking down long lost friends or relatives and gaining info through a varietyu of sources. Fallis is a former private detective and Greenburg is a ciminal defense attorney, so their info stems from firsthand experience.

3. Malicious Intent...a writer's guide to how murders, robbers, rapists and other criminals think by Sean MacIntire

ISBN 0898796482

Written for writers, this book delves into the psychology behind crimes and the people who commit them. It covers psychological profiling, terrorists, and psychology in the courtroom. It differentiates between mass murderers, serial killers, and one-time criminals. It touches on organized crime and the psychology behind the make-up of these groups. In addition for being an exceptional writing resource, it's a fascinating read all its own. The author has won awards for his programs for preventing both child abuse and domestic violence.

Now that you have a good selection of tutorials to help you fine tune your crime writing efforts, you will definitely need some markets through which to display your skills. The following are markets for crime writers:

Hardboiled

P.O. Box 209

Brooklyn, NY 11228

E-Mail Queries: No

Guidelines Online: No

This semi-annula publication features crime and mystery fiction and nonfiction. Pieces include hardboiled crime, privte detective stories and mysteries involving crimes. Length is up to 3000 words. Query via standard mail. Will consider reprints.

Buys: First Rights

Pays: On publication--up to $50 for fiction.

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Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine

475 Park Ave. S

11th Floor

New York, N.Y. 10016

E-Mail Queries: No

Guidelines Online: Yes

http://www.themysteryplace.com

This magazine is published ten times a year and features mystery fiction only. From psychological suspense to police procedurals, detective stpries and timely takes on real crimes...this publication loves a good mystery. Length runs 2500-8000 words. Send completed mansucript on spec.

Buys: First Rights

Pays: up to 8 cents per word

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Okay....so now you're armed with ways to educate yourself and markets in which to test your newfound skills. So what are you waiting for? It's time to plot, carry out and solve the perfect crime!