The Publishing Performance Show Michael Stockham - How to Write Legal Thrillers When You Actually Know the Law
Michael Stockham is a trial attorney and bestselling author who has successfully built a self-publishing business around his legal thriller series. Starting with a creative writing background before becoming what he calls an "accidental lawyer," Michael brings authentic courtroom detail to his novels through his 25+ years of trial experience. His debut novel "Confessions of an Accidental Lawyer" has garnered over 3,500 reviews and multiple awards, leading to his Jake Fox legal thriller series. Michael approaches his writing career as a business venture, developing systematic processes for planning, writing, and marketing his books while maintaining his full-time legal practice. He's also actively pursuing media adaptation opportunities, pitching his nine-book series concept at film festivals.
In this episode:
- How his background as a trial attorney informs his legal thriller writing
- The journey from creative writing degrees to accidental lawyer to novelist
- Building a systematic approach to writing with detailed chapter outlines
- Using story structure principles from Save the Cat and Hero's Journey
- The importance of authentic detail in courtroom and technical scenes
- Marketing strategies including BookBub feature deals and award submissions
- Working with book coach Aurora Winter for creative collaboration
- Planning a nine-book series as three interconnected trilogies
- Self-publishing through Whistling Pigs Press with freelance contractors
- Pitching book-to-TV adaptations at the Banff World Media Festival
- Building author business systems for long-term sustainability
- Balancing full-time legal career with consistent writing schedule
Resources mentioned:
- BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/
- Authors AI: https://authors.ai/
- Save the Cat writing methodology: https://savethecat.com/
- Story Grid: https://storygrid.com/
- Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing: https://kdp.amazon.com/
- Whistling Pigs Press: https://whistlepigpress.com/
Book Recommendations:
- Save the Cat Writes a Novel: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0399579745?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Connect with Michael Stockham:
- Publisher: https://whistlepigpress.com/
- Series: Jake Fox legal thrillers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQQFZVJJ?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
- Standalone: Confessions of an Accidental Lawyer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5YDHHCC?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Connect with Teddy Smith:
- @teddyagsmith
- Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
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