Killer Nashville Magazine • Non-Fiction

In this engaging conversation, Clay Stafford interviews bestselling author and trial lawyer James Grippando on the art of transforming complex legal concepts into compelling, page-turning fiction. From pacing and research to simplifying technical material without losing authenticity, Grippando shares practical insights for writers aiming to balance accuracy with storytelling momentum.

In this in-depth conversation, Clay Stafford interviews bestselling author and editor Don Bruns on the craft of storytelling, exploring momentum, character development, and the hidden pitfalls that weaken manuscripts. Drawing from decades of experience on both sides of the page, Bruns shares practical insights on sustaining tension, avoiding common mistakes, and keeping readers fully engaged from the first line to the last.

In this in-depth conversation, New York Times bestselling author Charles Todd joins Clay Stafford to explore the psychology behind enduring characters, the power of silence in storytelling, and how historical detail should reveal character rather than decorate a page. From Inspector Ian Rutledge’s moral complexity to Bess Crawford’s carefully built inner life, Todd shares insight into writing crime fiction rooted in emotional truth—and why finishing the book matters more than perfecting the research.

For more than fifty years, Otto Penzler has helped define what it means to build a lasting career in crime fiction. In this candid conversation with Clay Stafford, Penzler shares hard-earned insights on discipline, style, productivity, and professionalism—and why talent alone is never enough to sustain a writing life. From daily habits to editor–author relationships, this interview offers a masterclass in longevity from one of the genre’s most influential figures.

Two-time Eisner Award winner Paul Karasik joins Clay Stafford to discuss how to write a graphic novel—how to think visually, collaborate with artists, and translate emotion into panels. A masterclass in visual storytelling from one of comics’ most insightful minds.

Clay Stafford interviews James Comey on writing stories that linger. Comey discusses character, truth in fiction, and why vivid scenes and authentic voices make stories unforgettable.