Blog posts
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Crime writer John Dean has added another free gratis Handy Hints section to his website, all of which are aimed at making simple the complexities of writing for aspiring authors. This time the piece examines Themes and can be found on the drop-down menu to the left hand side of the home page here at…
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One of the most important elements involved in writing an effective novel is getting the pace right, that’s ‘pace’ not to be confused with ‘speed’. Dropping in too much information can slow a story down and drive away the reader. Crime writer John Dean has created one of the free Handy Hints sections on this…
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The other day, I was clicking idly through the worldwide web when I came a website listing the four types of clown (Whiteface, Character, Hobo, or Tramp, and Auguste, or Fool, should you be interested, and yes, you’re right, I should get out more) and it struck me that there was a glaring omission, the…
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The Crime Writers’ Association has announced the winners of its prestigious Dagger awards for 2025. Among the prizes awarded is the KAA Gold Dagger, sponsored by Kevin Anderson Associates, for the best crime novel by an author of any nationality, originally written in English and first published in the UK during the judging period. The…
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One of the biggest challenges for crime writers is how to give their villains credible reasons to commit their offences, usually murder. Few people are out and out evil and there are plenty of nuances and subtleties to the business of slaughter! Persuading the reader that motives are credible is vital if a crime novel…
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I am lending my voice in support of the campaign to save Aberdeen Arts Centre, which has come under threat of closure due to a financial crisis. Although I have never visited Aberdeen, or its arts centre, the plight of such cultural venues reaches out to so many of us and, for me personally, touches…
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Writing is about making decisions – many thousands of them over a career – and it can prove to be a confusing experience for authors, particularly ones just beginning to learn the craft. If that sounds like you, it may be worth checking out the Handy Hints sections on crime writer John Dean’s new website…
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The Latch Man is the latest DCI John Blizzard crime novel by John Dean to be given the Joffe Books relaunch treatment, including a distinctive new cover for the Kindle version. Joffe Books recently took over publisher The Book Folks and has embarked on a major campaign to breathe new life into the backlists of…
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A thought-provoking analysis of global book sales, which is contained in an article for American arts magazine From Whispers to Roars, has highlighted some interesting insights into the rapid changes being undergone by the publishing industry – and is a must-read for any author. The article was written by R. R. Noall, a poet and…
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I am compiling a list of the Golden Rules of Writing to go on a dedicated page on my new website here at (www.johndeancrimewriter.co.uk) under the free Handy Hints section, which is designed to help aspiring writers. So what am I after? Your golden rule (just one, no more than 25 words, your name, your latest…
