Writing Captivating True Crime

For our October Third Thursday, we’ll be back in-person at BookPeople. If you’re in the Austin area, we hope you’ll join us.

If the truth is stranger than fiction, true crime is more complex. From the characters at the center of the story, who carry all the contradictions of humanity, to the labyrinth of the criminal justice system, which itself complicates our understanding of both crime and punishment, crafting narrative from true crime requires a unique approach to storytelling.

For our October Third Thursday panel, we’ll be joined by three brilliant true crime authors and journalists—Bryan Burrough, Maurice Chammah, and Beverly Lowry—to discuss the craft elements and ethical considerations writers must navigate in order to tell stories accurately and humanely while also captivating an audience. Join us to learn tips on research, craft, ethics, and more.

This conversation will be moderated by WLT Program Director Sarah Renee Beach.