UnLocking Secrets: Crafting Killer Websites and Locked Room Mysteries

Welcome to today’s episode of The Murder School Podcast.

I thought I would start with a personal update. In the last few weeks, I’ve been writing the fifth novel in my cozy mystery series, and hopefully it should be ready to go to my very patient editor at the end of this week. Writing is a very solitary endeavour, but the production of my books could not happen without the professionals who take my raw story and polish and package it for my readers. And then there is one more person who helps me with the business of selling my books and that is my website designer.

In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is essential for any author looking to build a fan base and sell books. And at the center of that online presence? Your website.

Think of your website as your online home base – the place where readers, agents, and publishers can go to learn more about you and your work. It's your chance to showcase your brand, connect with your audience, and ultimately, sell more books.

But what exactly makes a website "killer"? And how can you create one that will help you stand out in the crowded world of crime fiction?

First things first: why do you even need a website in the first place? Can't you just rely on social media and online bookstores to promote your work?

Well, sure, social media and online retailers are important tools in your marketing arsenal. But they're not enough on their own. Here's why:

First, control: When you rely solely on third-party platforms like social media, you're at the mercy of their algorithms and policies. A website gives you complete control over your content and your message.

Then, a well-designed website makes you look like a serious, professional author. It shows that you're invested in your career and your brand.

A website makes it easier for readers to find you online, especially if you optimize it for search engines (more on that later).

A website gives you a direct line of communication with your readers. You can use it to share news, updates, and exclusive content that keeps them engaged and invested in your work.

And a website can be a powerful sales tool, especially if you offer direct sales or links to online retailers.

In short, a website is an essential part of your author platform. It's the foundation upon which you can build your brand, connect with your audience, and ultimately, sell more books.

Okay, so once I have convinced you that you need a website what exactly should you include on it? Here are some key elements:

A Home Page: This is the first thing visitors will see when they land on your site, so make it count. Include a brief introduction to who you are and what you write, along with eye-catching visuals and a clear call-to-action (for example "Buy My Latest Book!").

An About Page: This is where you can share your author bio, your writing journey, and any fun facts or personal details that help readers connect with you as a person.

Obviously a Books Page: This is where you'll showcase your published works, with descriptions, excerpts, and links to purchase.

 A blog is a great way to share your thoughts on writing, your research process, or anything else that might interest your readers. It also helps with search engine optimization (SEO) by providing fresh, keyword-rich content.

And make it easy for readers, agents, and publishers to get in touch with you by including a contact form or email address.

A newsletter is a powerful way to build a direct relationship with your readers. Include a sign-up form on your website to start growing your list, social media links make it for readers to connect with you and you could also include blurbs or reviews from other authors, publishers, or readers. These help build social proof and credibility.

Remember, your website doesn't have to be fancy or complicated. The most important thing is that it's clear, easy to navigate, and showcases your brand and your work in the best possible light.

Now that you know what to include on your website, here are some practical tips for making it as effective as possible:

1.     Keep it simple: Don't try to cram too much information onto your website. Keep the design clean, uncluttered, and easy to navigate.

2.     Make it mobile-friendly: More and more people are accessing websites on their phones or tablets, so make sure your site is optimized for mobile devices.

3.     Use high-quality images: Visuals are key to making your website stand out. Use high-quality, professional-looking images of your book covers, author headshots, and any other relevant graphics.

4.     Optimize for search engines: Use relevant keywords in your page titles, headings, and content to make it easier for search engines (and readers) to find you online.

5.     Update regularly: Keep your website fresh and up-to-date by adding new content regularly, whether it's blog posts, book news, or event announcements.

6.     Make it easy to buy: If you're selling books directly from your website, make sure the purchasing process is simple and straightforward. If you're linking to online retailers, use clear, prominent buttons or links.

7.     Promote your website: Once your website is up and running, make sure to promote it on your social media profiles, in your email signature, and in any other marketing materials.

One final question you might be asking yourself is whether you should create your website yourself or hire someone else to do it for you.

The answer, as with most things in life, is: it depends. If you have experience with web design and feel confident in your ability to create a professional-looking site, then by all means, go for it! There are plenty of easy-to-use website builders out there, like WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix, that make it relatively simple to create a basic site.

However, if you don't have the time, skills, or inclination to do it yourself, then outsourcing your website can be a smart investment. A professional web designer can help you create a site that looks polished, functions smoothly, and effectively showcases your brand and your work. That’s the route I took, and I am delighted with the results.

If you do decide to outsource, make sure to:

1.     Look for a designer who has experience working with authors and understands the unique needs and goals of a writer's website.

2.     Provide clear guidelines and examples of what you like and don't like in terms of design and functionality.

3.     Set a realistic budget and timeline for the project.

4.     Communicate regularly with your designer throughout the process to ensure that the final product meets your expectations.

Whether you create your website yourself or hire someone else to do it for you, the most important thing is that you end up with a site that effectively represents you and your work online.

A killer website is an essential tool for any crime author looking to build a fan base, sell books, and establish themselves as a professional writer. By including key elements like a strong home page, author bio, book descriptions, and a blog, and by following best practices for design and optimization, you can create a website that will help you stand out in a crowded market and connect with your ideal readers.

Remember, your website is an investment in your career as a writer. It's a reflection of your brand, your work, and your commitment to your craft. So take the time to make it the best it can be – your future fans (and your future sales) will thank you for it.

So, once I have finished my book, next on my to-do list is to update my website. Just a reminder, if you live in the Vancouver Island area, I am presenting three workshops in October; Guides to self-publishing and marketing for author and writers of any genre, and for aspiring crime writer, a full day on the craft of writing mysteries. And on that subject, please join my October writing challenge! It’s free, and you can sign up to get daily prompts and inspiration every day in October to help you write a spooky Halloween mystery. All you need to do is write 500 words a day. Totally doable and hopefully fun. The sign up is in the episode notes. Now, on to this week’s craft segment.

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Are you ready to tackle the ultimate puzzle-box of a story? The locked room mystery is a classic sub-genre of crime fiction that has been captivating readers for centuries, and for good reason. There's just something inherently fascinating about a crime that seems impossible to solve, a mystery that defies all logical explanations.

But writing a locked room mystery is no easy feat, especially if you're a first-time author. These stories require careful planning, precise execution, and a keen understanding of the genre's tropes and conventions. In my mind, these mysteries cannot be written “by the seat of your pants”. So be prepared to do some extensive plotting. Here are some tips.

Start with the Impossible CrimeAt the heart of every locked room mystery is the impossible crime itself. This is the puzzle that will drive your story forward and keep your readers engaged, so it's essential to get it right.

When crafting your impossible crime, consider:

• The location: Where does the crime take place? Is it a literal locked room, or a more metaphorical one (e.g. a deserted island, a snowed-in cabin)?

• The victim: Who is the victim, and how are they discovered? Are they found in a seemingly impossible position or situation?

• The method: How was the crime committed? What makes it seem impossible at first glance?

Remember, the key (pun intended!) to a good locked room mystery is to make the crime seem truly impossible. The reader should be left scratching their head, wondering how on earth the perpetrator could have pulled it off.

Once you've established your impossible crime, it's important to establish the rules of your mystery. This means setting up the parameters of the puzzle and the constraints within which your detective (and your reader) must work to solve it.

Some things to consider:

• The timeline: When did the crime occur, and what was happening in the lead-up to it? Establish a clear timeline of events to help your reader keep track of the clues.

• The suspects: Who are the potential suspects, and what are their alibis? Make sure each suspect has a clear motive and opportunity for committing the crime.

• The clues: What physical evidence is left behind at the crime scene? What do the suspects say or do that might incriminate or exonerate them?

By establishing these rules early on, you give your reader a framework within which to solve the mystery alongside your detective. You also create a sense of fair play – the reader should feel like they have all the information they need to crack the case, even if they don't realize it at first.

Every great locked room mystery needs a brilliant detective to solve it. This is the character who will guide your reader through the twists and turns of the puzzle, uncovering clues and red herrings along the way.

When choosing your detective, consider:

• Their personality: Is your detective a brooding loner or a charismatic people-person? Do they rely on logic and deduction, or intuition and gut instinct?

• Their skills: What unique skills or knowledge does your detective bring to the table? Are they a master of disguise, a skilled interrogator, or a walking encyclopedia of obscure facts?

• Their flaws: What personal demons or weaknesses does your detective struggle with? How do these flaws impact their investigation and their relationships with others?

Remember, your detective is the reader's entry point into the story. They should be complex, engaging, and relatable, even if they're a bit of an oddball.

A locked room mystery lives or dies by its clues. These are the breadcrumbs you'll drop throughout the story to help your detective (and your reader) solve the impossible crime.

When planting your clues, consider:

• Relevance: Is the clue actually relevant to the solution, or is it a red herring meant to throw the reader off track?

• Subtlety: Are the clues hidden in plain sight, or are they more obscure? A good mix of both can keep the reader engaged and guessing.

• Timing: When do you reveal each clue, and how does it fit into the overall timeline of the story?

Remember, the clues should be fair and solvable, but not too obvious. You want your reader to have that satisfying "aha!" moment when everything clicks into place, not a frustrating "huh?" moment when the solution comes out of nowhere.

And finally, the moment of truth: the solution to your impossible crime. This is where all the clues and red herrings come together in a satisfying, logical conclusion that leaves your reader saying, "Of course! Why didn't I see it before?"

When crafting your solution, consider:

• Plausibility: Is the solution believable within the world of the story? Does it follow logically from the clues and constraints you've established?

• Simplicity: Is the solution elegant in its simplicity, or does it rely on convoluted twists and turns? Remember, sometimes the simplest explanation is the most satisfying.

• Surprise: Does the solution offer a genuine surprise for the reader, or is it something they might have guessed early on? A good twist can elevate a locked room mystery from good to great.

Remember, the solution should feel earned and inevitable, but not predictable. It should be the perfect fit for the puzzle you've crafted, the satisfying click of the final piece falling into place.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when writing a locked room mystery is the principle of "fair play." This means that you, as the author, have a responsibility to give your reader all the information they need to solve the mystery themselves.

This doesn't mean you have to spell everything out or make the solution obvious. But it does mean that you can't withhold crucial information or pull solutions out of thin air. Every clue, every red herring, every twist and turn should be accounted for and justified within the world of the story.

Remember, your reader is putting their trust in you as the author. They're investing their time and energy into solving the puzzle alongside your detective. Honor that trust by playing fair and giving them a satisfying, well-earned solution.

As a first-time author of a locked room mystery, it's important to embrace the genre and all its quirks and conventions. Read widely within the genre, from classic authors like John Dickson Carr and Agatha Christie to modern masters like Soji Shimada and Paul Halter.

Pay attention to the tropes and techniques these authors use to craft their impossible crimes and brilliant solutions. Notice how they plant their clues, develop their suspects, and build suspense and anticipation throughout the story.

But don't be afraid to put your own spin on the genre, too. Bring your unique voice and perspective to the table, and find ways to subvert or play with the conventions of the locked room mystery. After all, the best stories are the ones that feel both familiar and fresh, that honor the traditions of the genre while still surprising and delighting the reader.

And have fun writing your locked room mystery! That’s all for today, remember to tune into Midweek Murder Motivation on Wednesday. Thanks for listening!