Fiction Over Fact
Full disclosure, Richard Podkowski, Stillwater52’s Creator-in-Chief, does not have an advanced writing degree, nor has he been scribbling stories in journals since he was very young. But he’s learned a lot about writing fiction and publishing the hard way.
While studying criminal justice as an undergrad at Loyola University Chicago, he very much enjoyed his literature and creative writing class. One of Richard’s fondest college memories was seeing Dr. Masi’s anecdotal comments next to the “A” he assigned “The Cubicle,” a short story about a convicted felon sentenced to life imprisonment, plus 100 years. He penned, “Did you really write this?”
Yes, Richard did. But after that class, he didn’t pick up a pen or hunt-and-peck on a keyboard for anything except school or work until 2007. Now, he can’t stop. Nor does he want to.
In 2007, inspired by professional athletes who lived in a fishbowl under constant media scrutiny and made life-altering mistakes, he began writing The Walk-On. Over the next sixteen years, he survived the pain and pitfalls of writer’s block, double-digit revisions, and the querying process.
Richard unveiled his creative talents in 2023 with the publication of his award-winning debut novel, The Walk-On. Subsequent projects include a holiday romantic comedy screenplay, adapted from his Operation Santa Bear manuscript, and a crime story based on his days as an organized crime task force supervisor.
Stillwater52 is the creative evolution of the former Stillwater Consultants, a private sector security and risk management firm. Richard definitely prefers creativity over factual investigative reports. Your story, whatever its format or stage of writing, can benefit from the potent combination of Richard’s law enforcement expertise and his fictional writing experiences – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Whether in the writers room for an episodic or feature film, on set, outlining a story or content editing your draft, Richard can help you ensure an authentic experience for your viewers and readers.
Richard has walked the walk and talked the talk, along with his domestic and international contacts. Whether your content needs a small-town sheriff’s deputy from 1972 or a present day major city police officer, contact Stillwater52 for one-stop actionable law enforcement advice.
Services
- Content development support, particularly for writers of crime fiction
- Evaluate the accuracy of police procedures, including federal law enforcement agencies
- Assist with the creation of crime scenarios from misdemeanor assault to international organized crime, cyber crime to human trafficking
- Assist with the process and techniques of investigating crime
- Assist with the judicial process from arrest to trial
- Content development for a single scene or your complete manuscript, documentary, film, or series
Author’s website: richardpodkowski.com
(312) 833-3565
Los Angeles