Friends and readers: I can't thank you enough for showing a sincere interest in reading books including my most recent, #truecrime feature length book, DIXIE'S LAST STAND. https://dev.wildbluepress.com/dixies-last-stand-john-ferak-true-crime/ Your dedication, enthusiasm and unwaivering support fuels my motivation to devote untold number of hours during my weeknights and on weekends doing the research, writing, follow-up … [Read more...]
In Love With a Dead Man? The True Love Story in Burl Barer’s MAN OVERBOARD
Barb Fraley fell in love with Harold Stegeman who treated her like a queen, provided for her six kids, built her a new home and her own restaurant. The restaurant went bust, the couple went broke, and then one day at a pancake house, Barb was arrested for passing a counterfeit $100 bill. Next thing she knew, Harold was arrested. Then she found out that Harold wasn't really Harold -- he was Phil Champagne, a man who died in 1984. Strange but … [Read more...]
Part 1: Author Ferak explains newly obtained crime photos from DIXIE’s murder case
Iowa bedroom of Dixie and Scott Shanahan, late October 2003. CAPTION: Author's perspective: Study this photo carefully. What do you see? On the wall, there's a portrait of Jesus Christ. The drapes are drawn shut. Two lamps on each side of the bed. A blue pillow. But did you notice the lump in the bed? This photo was taken in late October 2003 by crime lab specialists for the state of Iowa. When they walked into this bedroom, they were overcome … [Read more...]
Looking for love in all the wrong places (like prison)
It was a simple plan: Help a couple killers break out of prison, persuade them to kill your husband, then run off to Vermont and live happily ever after. Maybe a cottage by the sea. Just you and two fugitive psychopaths. In New York today, prison worker Joyce Mitchell stands accused of helping two convicted murderers—Richard Matt, 48, and 35-year-old David Sweat—escape. And authorities now say the 51-year-old woman had sex with both men before … [Read more...]
McStay Murder Case Moves to Trial, But Questions Remain
By Caitlin Rother After following the McStay case for the past five years, I drove nearly four hours to San Bernardino and back yesterday to cover the preliminary hearing of Charles “Chase” Merritt, who stands accused of murdering this family of four. Before I commit myself to writing a true crime book on a specific case, I must weigh many factors, including the logistical challenges of covering a trial as well as the strength of the … [Read more...]
Fallen CSI commander who went to prison grants interview for Ferak’s sequel to BLOODY LIES
Every new book I write is a new adventure. Occasionally, my persistence pays off and the true-crimes readers of all shapes and sizes can benefit from the depth of my research and fresh perspectives of the people I can interview. Every author is different, but I tend to take the advice of veteran true-crime writer Gary C. King. I'll often send a formal type-written letter through the mail to the person I would like to interview. Some respond … [Read more...]
What It’s really Like Writing True Crime (Part 2): Kevin Sullivan on Regret and Remembering Victims of Violent Crime
In my last post we discussed the mechanics of writing true crime. They’re tried and true and for those wanting to write in this genre, it’s a road map to creating something worth selling. It’s a systematic way of doing things that will lead you on a road to success; provided, of course, that you know what you’re doing in the first place. But these are the mechanics of writing true crime. What follows are the unavoidable results of writing true … [Read more...]
What it’s really like writing true crime (Part 1): Kevin Sullivan on Digesting Case Files
The first person to arrive at the Bauer residence was Officer Jack Kendrick, a nine-year veteran of the Louisville Police Department. As soon as he parked his cruiser in front of the house, he noticed a man walking down the driveway toward him. There were no outside lights turned on, and in the moonlight it appeared that his clothes were wet, as if he’d been splashed with water. But upon closer examination, Kendrick could see that … [Read more...]
Who is the Real Harold Richard Stegeman? Read Burl Barer’s Man Overboard
Phil Champagne, the main character in Man Overboard, is every bit the rascal at eighty four years of age as he was when he died in 1982 -of course, Phil didn’t know he was dead until he read it in the newspaper. Those of you who were born in the 80’s or 90’s probably can’t imagine it being so easy to make fake drivers licenses with press on letters you buy at the stationary store, but back in the “old days” before there were holograms and … [Read more...]
Burl Barer Explores Low Hanging Fruit and Pulls-off Time Travel
When I came home tonight from my exciting adventures in the Valley, I automatically anticipated the usual warm and amusing greeting from my adorable Isis the Dog -- and then I remember that she passed away a couple weeks ago. and she won't be waiting for me at the top of the stairs, wagging her entire rear end as fast as she can -- and then runs to get a dog toy and bring it to me --Prehaps she is showing off (I have this and you don't). I … [Read more...]
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