True crime seems to be everyone’s favourite flavour these days going by the sheer number of television series, podcasts, and books being published in the genre. If you’re reading this blog post, you probably know that I too, have been working in true crime. In 2019, I began an original anthology series entitled The Best New True Crime Stories, and I’ve have been busy with it ever since. In fact, I’m pleased to say that the fourth book in my franchise, The Best New True Crime Stories: Crimes of Passion, Obsession & Revenge, has recently been published – and there are several more on the way, including the early 2022 release of The Best New True Crime Stories: Partners in Crime, which is already available for pre-order.
When I decided to go down this new pathway, I wanted to do things my way – which I usually do anyway when it comes to my books (and pretty much everything else in my life!). I didn’t want to parrot what other people were doing. I wanted to put a stamp of originality on the series, and, in doing so, include true crime writers from around the world who can tell a story in their own unique voice and with their own unique spin.
Although I’ve edited many anthologies in the past, the majority have been in fiction. True crime is a different game altogether. Of course I’ve done nonfiction work, so I know how important it is to get the facts right. But when it comes to true crime, there are additional burdens that must be addressed. It’s not as simple as checking a few dates or making sure you’ve got the names spelled right or verifying your information with several sources, not just one. There is also a responsibility to tell a story in such a way so as not to glorify the criminals or, for that matter, exploit and cause further harm to the victims of these criminals.
When I did my undergraduate studies in journalism, I learned about fairness and accuracy in reporting (something that seems to have been forgotten in recent years). I’m always aware that the individuals we’re writing about, be they criminals or victims, are real people, not fictional characters. And some of them are still alive, or at least their friends and loved ones might be.
There has been a lot of discussion lately about true crime and the public’s apparent insatiable desire for it. The word “entertainment” has also been bandied about in a rather negative context, implying that individuals who are consumers of true crime are doing so in a vampiric way. I don’t believe that’s a fair or an accurate assessment. It’s selling true crime short. We’ve come a long way from the sensationalist content of yesteryear. When I decided to go forward with my anthology series, I was very conscious of the more “sleazier” aspects of true crime – and it was something I didn’t want in my books. I wanted content that not only told a story about crime (and hopefully punishment), but left the reader with something to think about at the end of it. I wanted to provide context and insight into the hows and the whys of it. Most of all, I wanted my true crime to have a conscience. Going by the feedback coming in from readers and reviewers, it sounds as if I, along with my contributors, are on the right track!
The Best New True Crime Stories: Crimes of Passion, Obsession & Revenge is now available worldwide in print, ebook, and audio editions. I hope you’ll pick up a copy today. Be sure to check out the livestream chats I’ve been doing with contributors. You can find all of them at my website via the Video tab. They’re also available to watch at my Facebook Page. (I’ve even got some uploaded to my YouTube channel.)
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got another true crime book to do!
