Mystery and Mastery: Joseph LeValley's Path to Fiction

Maxwell’s Iowa CoffeeCast, presented by Wellabe, recently welcomed Joseph LeValley, a former journalist turned award-winning mystery/thriller author, for a fascinating conversation about his journey into fiction writing. LeValley, who spent seven years as a crime reporter, recounted how his first book idea came to him while covering a murder trial. Though the defendant was ultimately convicted, LeValley found himself daydreaming about the possibility of wrongful conviction—an idea that eventually led to his debut novel, Burying the Lede.

I remember the first time I spoke with Joe about his writing career. It was a surprise to many that he had become a novelist, considering his long tenure in journalism. He admitted that he hadn’t planned on it either. After covering multiple high-profile murder trials, an idea for a novel took root in his mind. However, life took him in a different direction, and for 25 years, his partially written manuscript sat in a drawer. It wasn’t until retirement that he felt the urge to complete what he had started, motivated by an exciting plot twist idea, some friendly workplace teasing, and a personal commitment to write every day until it was finished.

Joe’s discipline in completing Burying the Lede paid off. The book was published by Iowa-based Book Press Publishing and received prestigious awards, including the Canadian Book Excellence Award. He never expected such recognition, and neither did his wife, as he humorously noted. But once the book gained traction, Joe began to wonder: Could he do it again?

His second novel, Cry from an Unknown Grave, took on the harrowing issue of human trafficking. When the topic first caught his attention, he knew very little about it. But as he delved into research, he uncovered shocking truths that turned the subject into a gripping novel. Rather than attempt to solve the global issue within one story, he focused on Tony Harrington—his protagonist—chasing down a specific ring of traffickers in an effort to rescue at-risk victims. The book not only entertained but also educated, earning praise from critics who called it both compelling and important.

During the pandemic, Joe found himself with more time than ever to write. What once took decades now took months, and he soon had three more books completed. He laughingly recalled how Burying the Lede took 33 years, yet Cry from an Unknown Grave took only 33 days. That kind of improvement curve, he joked, is hard to sustain.

One of the most interesting parts of our conversation was how Joe’s journalism background shaped his writing. He credits his ability to write quickly and confidently to his years in the newsroom. But, as he admitted, transitioning to fiction had its challenges—especially writing dialogue. He read extensively and practiced to ensure his characters’ voices sounded authentic. However, as any writer knows, accuracy is just as important as creativity. He learned this firsthand when a reader pointed out that a specific car model mentioned in his first book didn’t actually exist that year. It was a minor detail, but as Joe explained, such errors can pull readers out of the story, making accuracy crucial in any genre.

As Joe’s Tony Harrington series grew, so did his curiosity about publishing at a larger scale. With seven books under his belt, he decided to experiment by writing So Glad She Killed Him, a forthcoming standalone mystery set in Iowa featuring a new detective, Jack Bennigan. Unlike his previous works, this book was written with the intention of pitching it to literary agents and New York publishers. While he’s received mixed responses—including some promising leads—Joe remains grounded, viewing this endeavor as an exciting side project rather than a make-or-break moment.

Of course, the question of Hollywood adaptations inevitably came up. Many readers have told Joe his books would make great movies or TV series, and I wholeheartedly agree. However, Joe doesn’t invest time in pursuing that route, recognizing how long and unpredictable the process can be. He shared an industry insight that, on average, a book-to-screen adaptation takes 12 years to develop. Instead of chasing that dream, he remains focused on writing great stories. If Hollywood comes knocking, so be it.

Before wrapping up, we talked about the evolving landscape of publishing. Joe acknowledged the rise of self-publishing and digital formats, noting that over 4 million books were published last year alone. This saturation makes standing out more challenging than ever. But the looming issue that concerns him the most is AI-generated fiction. He foresees a future where artificial intelligence can churn out novels indistinguishable from human-written ones, creating an ethical and market-based dilemma for authors.

Despite these challenges, Joe remains optimistic. His advice to aspiring writers? Focus on writing the best book you can. While technology and the industry may change, great storytelling will always have a place. That’s wisdom I couldn’t agree with more.

As I reflect on our conversation, I’m reminded of the power of persistence, creativity, and passion. Joe’s journey from journalist to novelist is proof that stories sometimes take years to develop, but when they finally come to life, they can leave an impact far beyond what we ever imagined. If you haven’t yet read his books, I highly encourage you to check them out—you won’t be disappointed.

Find his novels in your local bookstore, on Amazon - or at www.josephlevalley.com.