Closest to the Fire: A Guide to American Law and Lawyers
by Karen A Wyle

The legal landscape can be a minefield.
Here’s a map.

Most people don’t know all that much about the framework of the American legal system. That lack of knowledge can be dangerous. This book offers invaluable assistance in understanding, and safely navigating, the often treacherous legal landscape.

Moreover, the legal world — with its suspense, moral quandaries, and ripped-from-the-headlines subject matter — provides wonderful material for fiction. Included throughout the book are ideas for stories or story elements based on the content and available for the readers’ use, going well beyond the most common homicide courtroom context. This guide will help writers explore these story possibilities, and will assist writers and others who wish to avoid the many pitfalls awaiting the unwary.

A unique addition to your library, Closest to the Fire is a resource you’ll find many reasons to consult — including some you may not foresee!

5 out of 5 fairies

This was a well-written, accessible book. I’d definitely recommend this for authors who want to write in legal/courtroom scenes into their books but aren’t intimately familiar with it. This would also be great for any lay person who would like a peek into the system. I love how easy it is to find what you’re looking for, the chapters are clearly labeled, and you can bounce around and read what you’re looking for at the time. Both civil and criminal law is covered, and it’s made very clear you shouldn’t use this for legal advice. A great resource and insight, highly recommend.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Indigo | Indie Bound | Goodreads

Karen A. Wyle is the author of multiple science fiction novels, including The Twin-Bred Series: Books 1-3; YA novel Water to Water; and near-future novels Division, Playback Effect, and Who: a novel of the near future. Her first novel outside the SF category was the afterlife fantasy/family drama Wander Home. Most recently, she has turned to historical romance with her Cowbird Creek series, including What Heals the Heart, What Frees the Heart, and What Shows the Heart. She has also published one nonfiction work, Closest to the Fire: A Writer’s Guide to Law and Lawyers, a resource for authors or for anyone interested in understanding more about American law. An updated and slightly retitled edition will be published at the end of July 2021.

Wyle was born a Connecticut Yankee, but eventually settled in Bloomington, Indiana, home of Indiana University. She now considers herself a Hoosier. Wyle’s childhood ambition was to be the youngest ever published novelist. While writing her first novel at age 10, she was mortified to learn that some British upstart had beaten her to the goal at age 9.

Wyle is an appellate attorney, photographer, political junkie, and mother of two wildly creative daughters. Her voice is the product of almost five decades of reading both literary and genre fiction. It is no doubt also influenced, although she hopes not fatally tainted, by her years of law practice. Her personal history has led her to focus on often-intertwined themes of family, communication, the impossibility of controlling events, and the persistence of unfinished business.

Facebook | Twitter | Website