Writing sociological crime fiction: you will have your day in court

Crockett Thomas, P. (2021) Writing sociological crime fiction: you will have your day in court. Art/Research International, 6(1), pp. 218-250. (doi: 10.18432/ari29549)

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Abstract

In this article I share and discuss a poetic work of experimental sociological crime fiction titled “You Will Have Your Day in Court” (in Crockett Thomas, 2020c). In it I reimagine the “true crime” story of “King Con” Paul Bint, who for a period in 2009 successfully impersonated Keir Starmer, the then Director of Public Prosecutions. I first introduce my collaborative approach to writing sociological crime fiction, connections to poststructuralist philosophy and conceptualisation of research as a process of translation. After sharing the piece, I discuss thematic aspects of the work, such as the popular fascination of fraud, desire for explanations for criminal acts, and the narrative constraints placed on people who have experienced criminalisation. I also consider stylistic elements including use of narrative voice, characterisation, and narrative structure. I hope that this article is of interest to scholars aiming to marry poststructuralist thought with an experimental approach to writing sociological fiction.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:The research was supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council [grant number 1369004]. I am currently supported by the Economic and Social Research Council [grant number ES/P002536/1].
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Thomas, Dr Phil
Authors: Crockett Thomas, P.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
Journal Name:Art/Research International
Publisher:University of Alberta Library
ISSN:2371-3771
ISSN (Online):2371-3771
Published Online:04 May 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright ©, 2021 Phil Crockett Thomas
First Published:First published in Art/Research International 6(1):218-250
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
174003Distant Voices: Coming HomeFergus McNeillEconomic and Social Research Council (ESRC)ES/P002536/1S&PS - Sociology