The Murder School

Jackie Sharp
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Are you an aspiring crime writer looking to take your mystery writing skills to the next level? Look no further than the Murder School Podcast, your weekly dose of bite-sized writing tips to kickstart your week with a bang! Each episode is packed with practical advice, real-world examples, and actionable steps you can take to elevate your writing game. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, you'll find plenty of inspiration and insight to keep you motivated and on track. So why not make your Mondays a little more murderous? Subscribe to the Murder School Podcast today and start your week off with a deadly dose of writing inspiration. With our help, you'll be crafting page-turning mysteries in no time - no alibis required!

  1. Episode 30: Challenges and Legalities

    11/03/2025

    Episode 30: Challenges and Legalities

    It's November and some of us are feeling the absence of NaNoWriMo - but there are lots of other options! This week I take a look at writing challenges and how to use these to finish that first draft. In the craft segment, do you need to be a lawyer to write a legal procedural? Spoiler: No.

    17 min
  2. Episode 29: SEO to GEO: There's Fear in the House

    10/27/2025

    Episode 29: SEO to GEO: There's Fear in the House

    Remember when we all scrambled to learn about SEO—that mysterious art of getting Google to notice our websites and books? Well, the game is changing again, and this time it's all about something called Generative Optimization....nothing to be afraid of. Not like the Domestic Thriller genre, when the killer could be sitting beside you on the couch right now

    18 min
  3. Episode 28: Midweek Murder Motivation; The Art of Red Herrings

    10/22/2025

    Episode 28: Midweek Murder Motivation; The Art of Red Herrings

    Welcome to Midweek Murder Motivation. Today we're diving into one of the most delicate balancing acts in our genre: the art of the red herring—keeping readers guessing without leaving them feeling cheated or frustrated.

    4 min
  4. Episode 27: Brewing Up Cozy Mysteries and Self Editing

    10/20/2025

    Episode 27: Brewing Up Cozy Mysteries and Self Editing

    As we get nearer to Halloween, my craft segment this week is timely, given I’ll be talking about spooky mysteries, and the world of paranormal cozies. In personal writing news, I have just received my fifth book in my cozy mystery series back from my editor, and I’m working through her comments, and revising my story. Then I’ll send it back for a second edit and then proof reading before sending it out to the world. I have always believed copy-editing and proofing are best left to the professionals. But I do my own developmental editing, before sending my book to some trusty first readers (beta readers) for feedback.

    12 min
  5. Episode 26: Midweek Murder Motivation; Time to Write

    10/15/2025

    Episode 26: Midweek Murder Motivation; Time to Write

    Today I'm addressing that perpetual challenge for writers everywhere: finding time to write when your life seems determined to fill every available moment. Let's start by dismissing the most persistent myth about writing time—that you need long, uninterrupted hours to make meaningful progress. The reality? Most books get written in the margins of busy lives, in fragments of time that their authors deliberately carve out and fiercely protect.

    6 min
  6. Episode 25: Book Reviews and Cozy Comfort

    10/13/2025

    Episode 25: Book Reviews and Cozy Comfort

    Think about the last time you bought a book online. Did you read the reviews before making your purchase? I bet you did. In fact, studies show that 84% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. That's a pretty powerful statistic. For self-published authors, reviews are even more important. Without the backing of a traditional publisher, we don't have the same marketing resources or built-in audience. We rely on word-of-mouth and organic discovery to get our books in front of readers. And that's where reviews come in. In the craft segment, I continue my overview of crime subgenres, with cozy mysteries.

    14 min
  7. Episode 24: Midweek Murder Motivation: Overcoming Writer's Block

    10/08/2025

    Episode 24: Midweek Murder Motivation: Overcoming Writer's Block

    Today we're tackling that dreaded affliction known as writer's block—that paralyzing sensation when your creativity seems to vanish, leaving you staring at a blank page with mounting panic. Let's start with an important truth: writer's block isn't a mysterious ailment or a sign that your creative well has permanently dried up. It's your brain's perfectly rational response to specific conditions—and once you understand those conditions, you can address them systematically.

    4 min
  8. Episode 23: The Rule of Law: Police Procedurals and Reader Relationships

    10/06/2025

    Episode 23: The Rule of Law: Police Procedurals and Reader Relationships

    Is email marketing dead? Not if you want to be a successful mystery author. This week's episode dives into the essentials of creating an email list and then engaging regularly with your readers. Then, in the craft section, the technical aspects of writing police procedurals - maintaining authenticity without drowning your readers in boring info-dumps.

    21 min
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About

Are you an aspiring crime writer looking to take your mystery writing skills to the next level? Look no further than the Murder School Podcast, your weekly dose of bite-sized writing tips to kickstart your week with a bang! Each episode is packed with practical advice, real-world examples, and actionable steps you can take to elevate your writing game. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, you'll find plenty of inspiration and insight to keep you motivated and on track. So why not make your Mondays a little more murderous? Subscribe to the Murder School Podcast today and start your week off with a deadly dose of writing inspiration. With our help, you'll be crafting page-turning mysteries in no time - no alibis required!

Information

  • Creator
    Jackie Sharp
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Murder School