Nathan Bransford - The Forums

I've done a lot of research on gangs, plus I have some contacts in the LAPDs gang unit and ex-cops as well. I've also studied some memoirs written or ghost written by gang members so I think I have a good understanding of them. Most of the books I've published are police procedurals so I pride mysel...

I really appreciate all the great suggestions you're giving me. I think I have a better idea of how this needs to read. I always knew it might be a difficult sell given the subject matter, but I'm trying to tailor it -- I've left my dream agents to the end of my querying process. I wanted to get it ...

Thanks, Elizabeth. Good suggestions. Some background -- the gang leader and the protag Gabe used to be best friends. As they grew up, they went different ways, Gabe toward school and finding security without the gang influence, his friend went into the gang life, with drugs and violence. Before the ...

Anything by Michael Connelly, but especially The Poet, Scarecrow and City of Bones
Terry Pratchett's Discworld series
Jeffrey Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme series
L.A. Rex by Will Beall
Hollywood Station series by Joseph Wambaugh

As you can see, I like cop stories

This is a variation of my query. I'm always tweaking it. Part of my problem is classifying the book itself. It's not truly a mystery, and it's not a romance, though there are elements of both. Someone who read it says it reminded them of Romeo and Juliet in its tragic elements. At heart it's a dark,...