My critique group just picked up a wonderful addition in Joe McKinney, author of Dead City and countless other published and unpublished works of various lengths. Besides being an extraordinary author, he is also, and arguably more impressively, a San Antonio homicide detective, a vocation that lends his disturbing stories authenticity that can't be gained from a second-hand interview.

I initially met Joe when he guest spoke at the San Antonio Writers Guild, sharing with us his history, writing  techniques and work habits. He immediately impressed me with his calm and linear thinking, something he no-doubt cultivated as a skill necessary to his unique line of work.

Only writing with an eye on getting published since 2005, Joe has followed a fast path to success writing late into many evenings only to wake early for another day of sleuthing. His dedication and focus are palpable when in his presence.

His added insight has been valuable to all of us. I feared we as a group might not be able to keep up with his quality and prolificacy; however, I've since found that he is indeed a mortal, eager to better his writing just like the rest of us. He seems satisfied with his experience thus far. He has confided he was not formerly someone who had faith that a group setting would be comfortable or beneficial but that he found our sessions to be both.

So again a warm welcome to Joe. Check him out in more depth at JoeMcKinney.net. And be sure to support his work. Click here to buy Dead City.