America's obsession with true crime isn't new. One of the earliest known stories of crime involves the murder of a government official dating back to 1800 BCE in Ancient Egypt. People have been drawn to the darker side of human nature that presents itself in true tales of horrific crimes for ages.
With the publication of such books as In Cold Blood (1966) and Helter Skelter (1974), however, the genre became popular with more and more people. Since that time, it has evolved and branched out into all forms of media.
If you're interested in trying your hand at writing for the true crime genre, here are some tips to get you started.
Master the Art of Research
The foundation of any good true crime book is meticulous research. If you have a particular case in mind about which you’d like to write, start by gathering all available information from reputable sources, such as:
- Police reports
- Court documents
- News articles
You may also want to dive deeper into the crime, by attending the trial or conducting interviews with primary sources such as investigators, lawyers, and even the families of victims and perpetrators can provide unique insights that add depth to your narrative.
Respect and factual integrity are paramount at this stage of the process. Keep in mind that you’re writing about real people who've been through real tragedy, and you should avoid sensationalism at all costs.
Once you have all of your research materials, organize them systematically. Use digital tools such as Evernote or Scrivener to keep track of your findings and create a timeline of events. This will help you maintain accuracy and consistency throughout your book.
Capture Readers' Attention Right Away
A great opening to your book is crucial. Start with an irresistible hook and/or an event that grabs the reader right away. Here are a couple of examples of very effective opening lines from true crime books:
“It was so quiet, one of the killers would later say, you could almost hear the sound of ice rattling in cocktail shakers in the homes way down the canyon.”
—Vincent Bugliosi’s Helter Skelter
"Brenda was six when she fell out of the apple tree. She climbed to the top and the limb with the good apples broke off. Gary caught her as the branch came scraping down. They were scared."
—Norman Mailer's The Executioner's Song
Each of these opens whets the appetite for more information. Now, it's time to pull your reader in and keep them on the page by following through with a compelling narrative.
Craft a Captivating Story
Facts are absolutely crucial to your narrative, but how you present them can make or break your book. Weave your tale in a way that’s both informative and engaging. Simply relaying facts can grow awfully stale unless you have a relatable, human component backing up your story.
- Balance factual reporting with storytelling techniques to keep your audience riveted
- Organize your narrative by having a clear beginning, middle, and end
- Use a chronological approach or thematic chapters to create a logical flow
- Use such techniques as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, and varying pacing to create tension throughout and keep readers engaged
Give Depth to Your Characters
Focus on the people involved in the case—victims, suspects, law enforcement, and witnesses. Share their backgrounds, motivations, and emotions to make them relatable and memorable. Describe your characters in such depth that readers feel as though they can see them and already know them.
One of the most compelling components of Truman Capote's true crime novel In Cold Blood is his character descriptions, from the way they looked to the way they lived.
"Though he wore rimless glasses and was of but average height, standing just under five feet ten, Mr. Clutter cut a man's-man figure. His shoulders were broad, his hair had held its dark color, his square-jawed, confident face retained a healthy-hued youthfulness, and his teeth, unstained and strong enough to shatter walnuts, were still intact…"
As you can see by the picture to the right, Capote nailed it here when giving readers a mental picture of Herb Clutter, one of the murder victims in his book.
Set the Scene
Immerse your readers in the scene by offering a glimpse into the settings, emotions, and events related to the crime you're describing. Supply background details that clarify the importance of the setting. Discuss the historical, cultural, or social context pertinent to your subject.
Incorporate specific details about the location—such as landmarks, weather, and local customs—to anchor readers in the scene.
- Dive deep into the history and culture of your setting to help readers understand its significance
- Paint a vivid picture of what the key locations look like, feel like, and even smell like
- If you have a personal connection to the location, share this with readers to stir in them an even stronger investment in your story
- Use visual aids when appropriate, such as local maps, photographs, diagrams, and historic documents.
Make readers feel as though they're active participants in the story by engaging their senses and their emotions.
Design an Eye-Catching Book Cover
True crime covers have a unique allure that draws readers in, and imagery plays a very important role in setting the tone. Photographs of crime scenes, mugshots, or other relevant visuals can immediately convey the gravity and reality of the story. However, it's important to balance this with sensitivity to the subject matter, ensuring that the imagery is respectful and not gratuitous.
The covers shown below work well because they use photos, color, headlines, and text very effectively. In the cover for The Phantom Prince, the author even features a candid photo of herself with the serial killer who is the topic of her book!
Abstract imagery can also be effective—dark, shadowy figures, ominous landscapes, or symbolic objects like a blood-stained weapon can create a sense of mystery and foreboding. But, be sure to avoid clichés such as stock images of handcuffs, police tape, or generic crime scenes and focus instead on elements that are specific to your story and that resonate with its themes.
Navigating Legal and Ethical Considerations
The genre is called TRUE crime for a reason. The story you choose to tell, if it's to be considered nonfiction, must relay the details of an actual crime and the actions of real people. Though you may choose to share real events using your own writing style, they must be factual. You have a responsibility to the victims, the criminal(s), their family and friends, law enforcement, the court, and yourself to share true and accurate details surrounding the crime in question.
Defamation involves spreading false information about someone that damages their reputation or discourages others from associating with them. The context of a statement plays a crucial role in deciding if it's defamatory or merely an opinion. Navigating the line between facts and assumptions or exaggerated details can be tricky. Take the necessary precautions to ensure that you're not committing libel or slander in your writing or in the promotion of your book.
Marketing Your Masterpiece
Marketing your book is a task that's essential for getting your book in the hands of the right readers. According to Edison Research’s True Crime Consumer Report, 84% of the U.S. population consumes true crime media. Fans of the genre are dedicated, and they can often be found in a variety of places: in online forums, on social media platforms, in bookstores, listening to podcasts, watching movies, and binging series on tv.
What are some of the best ways to reach these people?
- Get your book and your name out there on TikTok. We have 16 ideas just for reaching people on that platform.
- Visit local book festivals or travel to one that caters specifically to the audience you want to reach.
- Make plans to attend next year's Crime Con. The true crime community comes together at this massive convention each year to honor victims and families of crime, as well as to offer education, advocacy, and even lots of fun. They also have a Crime Cruise each year. Take your book with you for a number of opportunities to network, market, and sell it.
- Think about buying ads on true crime podcasts. Do your research, find out which podcasts you feel are right for you, and determine what type of ads you want to run. Better yet—start your own podcast and build up your author brand while you're at it.
- Take our Social Media Marketing for Self Publishers online course for tips on building an overall marketing strategy for Facebook, Instagram, and X, as well as blogging. Work to build a following across the social platforms.
There are any number of reasons that readers love true crime, including for escapism, out of compassion for the victims, gaining a sense of justice, and even just—for some—a fascination with the macabre. Regardless of the reason, true crime is a genre that's not going away, and readers are always hungry for more.
For a deeper dive into writing true crime, check out this article from WOW! Women on Writing™.
