I’m happy to welcome co-authors Amanda Capper and Judy Penz Sheluk. Today, they share interesting facts about researching true crime and their new release,
A Fatal Affair: The Murder of Helen Grier.
Our mutual interest in a local murder case came to light during an intermission in a play we attended together. Hesitantly, at first, we discussed how we’d go about writing fact instead of fiction. Neither one of us had previously attempted true stories or co-authoring, but, we told each other, how hard could it be?
Here are ten things we’ve learned since that rookie conversation:
1. Making stuff up is much easier.
2. Newspapers.com (a vast collection of digitized newspapers) is a lifesaver when it comes to doing research, as well as libraries, museums, and reliable internet sites.
3. Fact-check every word. More than once. Strongly recommend multiple proofers.
4. Set time limits. Have a calendar, a plan, and stick to it.
5. It takes a team. Henceforth…
6. Co-authoring is an excellent idea but a totally different animal. Know, and trust, your fellow animal. Discuss at length what you expect to achieve from the endeavour.
7. An abundance of emails is to be expected and needed from each team member to stay on the same track. Garden paths are in abundance during research.
8. At least one of the team must be an excellent planner/organizer/captain of the ship.
9. All must be open-minded, capable of listening, and respectful of opinions.
10. Last, and arguably most essential, dedication to the result. You must believe in it. Feverishly. To the point where you need to apologize to all loved ones for ignoring them over the course of at least a year.
About the Book
On October 28, 1937, at a remote cabin in the Algoma District of Northern Ontario, the body of 28-year-old Helen Grier was discovered by her lover, Vernon Spencer. The cause of death was a bullet to the brain.
A married father of two, Spencer, 43, was held as a material witness for 71 days before being charged with Helen’s murder. A gruelling six-day trial in Sault Ste. Marie followed. Vernon Spencer was acquitted after a scant three hours of jury deliberation.
Was the jury wrong? Did Vernon Spencer, former professional baseball player and Michigan dairy farmer, get away with murder? Could it have been someone local who dropped in to visit and found the pretty young brunette alone and vulnerable? Or is it possible, as was suggested by Spencer’s defence team, that it was Helen Grier who fired the fatal bullet?
You be the judge.
Available in print and e-book at multiple booksellers. http://www.books2read.com/afatalaffair.
About the Authors
A former journalist and magazine editor, Judy Penz Sheluk is the multiple award-winning author of seven bestselling mystery novels, two books on publishing, and several short stories. Amanda Capper is a writer of short fiction, and the author of the “Maybe” mystery series (coming 2027). Learn more at judypenzsheluk.com and amandacapper.com.
