KN Magazine: Articles
Crafting Ethical and Moral Dilemmas in Crime Fiction
In crime fiction, the most gripping moments often arise not from action, but from impossible choices. This craft article explores how ethical and moral dilemmas deepen character, heighten suspense, and transform crime stories by forcing protagonists to navigate the gray spaces between right and wrong, justice and survival.
This Crazy Writing Life Performs Killer Nashville Post Mortems
In This Crazy Writing Life, Steven Womack reflects on the energy, community, and evolution of the Killer Nashville conference. With humor and honesty, he shares insights into the changing landscape of mystery and crime writing, the importance of connection in a writer’s life, and why building relationships—not just networks—remains at the heart of every successful writing journey.
Between Pen and Paper: Flaneuring Through a Writer’s Mind – Writing at the Speed of a Melting Popsicle
Stream-of-consciousness writing captures thoughts in their raw, unfiltered form. In this essay, Andi Kopek reflects on memory, history, morality, and creativity—beginning with something as simple as a melting popsicle.
This Crazy Writing Life: Dipping Our Toes In The Amazon Part Two — On Swimming Upstream...
In part two of our Amazon advertising deep dive, we unpack campaign architecture, custom vs. standard ads, bidding strategies, and the role of metadata in targeting. If you're ready to move beyond the basics and get serious about promoting your book, this is where the learning curve begins.
This Crazy Writing Life: Defining Irony In The Time Of Covid
In this month's edition of This Crazy Writing Life, the author reflects on the irony of missing major mystery conferences due to a Covid diagnosis while also diving into the technical challenges of indie publishing print books.
The Indie Pubbing Journey Continues—Part Three: The Learning Curve
From engine rebuilds to eBook formatting—indie publishing is a hands-on adventure. In this third installment, Steven Womack shares the hard-won lessons of navigating the indie tech stack, from Jutoh to Atticus, and why learning curves are worth the climb.
Prepping for Killer Nashville: Top Tips for Attendees
Prepare for Killer Nashville with these top tips for attendees, from setting goals and creating your schedule to making lasting connections with industry professionals. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a seasoned author, these tips will help you maximize your experience.
No One Wants You to Fail
The deadline is looming, and you’re wondering whether to apply for a Killer Nashville panel spot. Should you submit your application or back out? Remember, no one wants you to fail. Everyone has been where you are, and the only real failure is never trying.
The Writer’s Playbook: A Lesson in Spray Hitting
Former pro sports exec turned writer shares a lesson from baseball legend Al Avila about the value of specificity—on the field and in your writing career. Discover how the concept of spray hitting applies to asking targeted questions, networking at writer’s conferences, and building meaningful professional connections.
The Writer’s Playbook: The Drummer Boy
From writing a Christmas musical that touched thousands to publishing suspense novels, this is the story of how one writer’s unexpected journey—from church skits to book deals—became a masterclass in creativity, calling, and perseverance.
Zenith Man
After defending eccentric TV repairman Alvin Ridley against a shocking murder charge, McCracken Poston spent decades seeking closure—and the right words to tell the story. With a new understanding of autism, the help of a few key allies, and a pen from the past, Zenith Man finally came to life.
From Claymore to Award-Winning Series
My new mystery novel, Broadcast Blues, is the sixth in a series about a TV journalist in New York City who solves murders. This post covers my journey to publishing this series, from the idea's inception to winning the 2016 Claymore Award.
Finding Your Niche as a Writer
Struggling to finish your book or reach the right readers? You may be writing in the wrong subgenre. Discover how to find your true niche as a writer and market your stories effectively.
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