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

Jean Hager (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0966214501 | ISBN-13: 978-0966214505 | Publication Date: July 1998 | Edition: 1st

A step-by-step guide for writing a mystery novel from idea to final rewrite and marketing the manuscript. Choosing a title, characterization, dialogue, viewpoint, setting/description, opening hooks, plot, revising and marketing the manuscript are covered in separate chapters. Appendices include a sample of proper manuscript form, a sample query letter, a master fiction plot outline, and listings of mystery award winners. There is an extensive bibliography and index.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Students and teachers, as well as freelancers, will find much to help them in Hager's helpful guide...If you can afford to buy only one writing book, put your money down for this one." -- Mystery Time, Spring-Summer 1998

From the Author

"The topics covered in the book are topics I have found to be the most helpful and most needed in my mystery writing classes." Jean Hager

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Southmont Pub; 1st edition (July 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966214501
• ISBN-13: 978-0966214505
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,458,200 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pithy advice from a pro, July 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Write and Market Your Mystery Novel: A Step-By-Step Guide from Idea to Final Rewrite and Marketing (Paperback)

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me sage advice about the writing life, she also provided a wonderful example of how a published writer should treat an unpublished writer.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

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nothing new, but worth reviewing, May 21, 2000

By 

Bruce in California (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: How to Write and Market Your Mystery Novel: A Step-By-Step Guide from Idea to Final Rewrite and Marketing (Paperback)

If you've read more than a couple books on the subject of novel writing, you probably won't find anything new in this little book. It's really more a summary of the subject than a complete treatment. As such, it's OK, but don't expect much beyond that. As I read it, I was reminded of the Dan Poynter school of writing wherein the author is urged to review all the existing material on a subject and then rewrite it, hopefully with a new slant. This book might have been written in exactly that way, although I'm not sure that there is a new slant anywhere. As a brief refresher on the subject, and maybe a guide for occasional quick reference, this book can be helpful. But I really think that most readers will want to go a little deeper into the subject.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mystery of Mysteries, October 9, 2008

By 

W. Staples (West of 40 degrees Lon and South of 40 degrees Lat) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: How to Write and Market Your Mystery Novel: A Step-By-Step Guide from Idea to Final Rewrite and Marketing (Paperback)

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.