Thoughts on Writing a Book on the Search for Jaycee Dugard

[mjm076]

So the last few days I’ve been giving some thought to the idea of writing a book about the search for Jaycee Dugard and the trial after she was found. The reason being is because I feel there hasn’t been a well written and accurate book about this case that deals with the investigation. I know John Glatt published his book Lost and Found in 2010, but it contained inaccurate information and included speculation. Also I know Robert Scott published his book Shattered Innocence in 2011, however I found that one quite dry and boring. Additionally, both books were published before Jaycee’s memoir.

I feel there would be value to a book about the investigation into her disappearance and the resulting court case since Jaycee’s book, understandably, are solely from her perspective.

Thoughts?

I can say I’m not a true crime writer and I’ve never written a book before. I have a Religious Traditions Degree however, and access to Newspapers.com.

 

[mjm076]

So the last few days I’ve been giving some thought to the idea of writing a book about the search for Jaycee Dugard and the trial after she was found. The reason being is because I feel there hasn’t been a well written and accurate book about this case that deals with the investigation. I know John Glatt published his book Lost and Found in 2010, but it contained inaccurate information and included speculation. Also I know Robert Scott published his book Shattered Innocence in 2011, however I found that one quite dry and boring. Additionally, both books were published before Jaycee’s memoir.

I feel there would be value to a book about the investigation into her disappearance and the resulting court case since Jaycee’s book, understandably, are solely from her perspective.

Thoughts?

I can say I’m not a true crime writer and I’ve never written a book before. I have a Religious Traditions Degree however, and access to Newspapers.com.

Anyone?

 

[luxISlight]

I think a new book could be interesting. Recommend you're able to site your sources on where you pull the information from. Good luck and let us know if you want it peer reviewed.

 

[mjm076]

I think a new book could be interesting. Recommend you're able to site your sources on where you pull the information from. Good luck and let us know if you want it peer reviewed.

Thank-you so much!

I’ve asked Jerri Williams, who interviewed Chris Campion on her podcast FBI Retired Case File Review last May, to forward an email I’ve written to him asking him for his thoughts on this idea. Chris Campion is a retired FBI agent who worked the Jaycee Dugard case from 1991 straight through to her recovery in 2009. He still has contact with Jaycee and her family to this day. I want to get his thoughts and also ask if I need Jaycee and her families blessing for me to do this. I don’t want to hurt them.

 

[mjm076]

So I have decided not to write a book on the Jaycee Dugard investigation. The reason being is that I don’t think I should without getting Jaycee and her mom’s permission or at least without their knowledge and I won’t even be able to ask or have someone let them know. As well, I won’t be able to use any comments made by the FBI agent who worked the case.

Sorry if I have disappointed anyone.

 

[HippieBeachChick]

So I have decided not to write a book on the Jaycee Dugard investigation. The reason being is that I don’t think I should without getting Jaycee and her mom’s permission or at least without their knowledge and I won’t even be able to ask or have someone let them know. As well, I won’t be able to use any comments made by the FBI agent who worked the case.

Sorry if I have disappointed anyone.

I don’t think anyone’s disappointed that you asked for feedback about the idea. If you want to get into writing non-fiction though, the best tip I can give you is to determine which citation formatting will be best for your work and keep copies of the up to date formatting guides. I am finishing two MA degrees right now and considering going into true crime writing myself. Having formatting guides on hand has always been the most helpful tool for my research writing.

 

[mjm076]

Hey Everyone!

So I have started writing my book on the Jaycee Dugard Investigation. I want to give credit to @ELOCsoul for being so supportive of me with this project, as well as his patience with my back-and-forth with whether I was going to pursue this project or not.

In regard to getting Jaycee and her mother's blessing, I have contacted Jaycee through her foundation, but have yet to hear back. I'm a bit suspicious as to whether her foundation is still operating as it's copyright apparently ended in 2021. If her foundation did end, that is very sad and unfortunate.

I tried to ask about getting Jaycee and her mom's blessing for my book through FBI agent Chris Campion, who is still in touch with the family and did an interview on the case on FBI: Retired Case File Review. However, the podcast host Jerri Williams refused to send my email asking Chris whether he thought I needed Jaycee and her mom's permission. Jerri said the reason she didn't send it is because Chris had politely said he didn't want to be involved with the book.

I have also been in touch with the Radio DJ, Larry Williams, who wrote the song Jaycee Lee back in November 1991 and had it recorded in January 1992. I asked him about my idea of a book on the investigation and I also asked him if I could have his permission to use the lyrics of the song he wrote in my book. He said that he would only give his blessing if Jaycee and her mom did, but that I could write about the story behind the song as it's likely public domain. He was unsure whether lyrics would fall under the same category. I also expressed my concern that if I were to publish the book that Jaycee and her mom might try and sue me. Larry said that that particular question wasn't for him, but if it were him, he would leave it alone.

I may do a FOI Request for the lead sheets from Jaycee's case.

With all this in mind, my plan at the moment is to write the book, but not publish it. Rather I will get it printed locally and then send free copies to anyone who is interested.

Thoughts?