In this podcast, Richard Jerram talks about The Makoto Murders, living in Tokyo, Japan, winning the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger Award, and much more.

[3:15] Early life lessons growing up.
[6:00] The best and worst things about taking a creative writing MA.
[10:15] Retirement from work as an economist and decision to pursue writing fiction.
[11:45] Arriving in Tokyo, Japan in 1987.
[14:55] The Makoto Murders launch event.
[17:25] The Makoto Murders elevator pitch.
[20:20] Writing a novel with a sociopathic protagonist.
[28:15] Japan setting.
[29:35] Planning and writing process for The Makoto Murders.
[34:55] Workshopping two endings.
[37:10] Including specific details to Japan.
[38:50] Next books and projects.
[43:55] Advantages and disadvantages of living in Japan, Singapore, and London.
[45:30] Becoming fluent in Japanese.
[49:10] Life and art imitating one another: winning the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger Award.
[54:00] Landing a literary agent.
[58:10] Film and TV rights.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-673-richard-jerram-on-the-makoto-murders-living-in-tokyo-japan-and-winning-the-crime-writers-associations-debut-dagger-award

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