Closest to the Fire: A Writer's Guide to Law and Lawyers

The world of law and lawyers, with its suspense, its moral quandaries, and its ripped-from-the-headlines subject matter, provides wonderful material for fiction. This guide will help writers explore these many story possibilities -- while avoiding numerous pitfalls. It also serves as a useful resource for law or prelaw students, or for anyone who would like to better understand the American legal system.

Included throughout the book are ideas for stories or story elements based on the content and available for the readers' use.

“A book I would have liked to have had as a law student. A book that would also be of value to writers of legal fiction. ...I can recommend Wyle’s Closest to the Fire as an accessible, digestible, and useful guide. ...An ‘I get it now,’ sort of book.” —Jamie Campbell, author of Four Days

“[Wyle’s] writing is as clear as glass. ...If you are a writer and you need a resource on law and lawyers, this is your go-to source.” —Danusha Goska, author of Save Send Delete

"Wyle has written the definitive legal reference book for authors. . . . Utilizing [Wyle’s] book will insure that your writing is authentic. . . . I urge you to pick up a copy for your reference library." --Robert Grant, attorney and author of Naked Tao and The Nostrum Conspiracy

Karen A. Wyle is an appellate attorney with more than thirty years' experience. A cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School, she worked for law firms and the California Court of Appeal before establishing her solo practice in Bloomington, Indiana. Wyle has filed amicus briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court and seven state supreme courts. She has also written and published five novels. One-quarter of her novel Division is set in a near-future courtroom.

The ebook version of this book's cover won The Book Designer's nonfiction award for October 2015.