How to Turn Real History into Fiction: Lessons from Steve Berry

In this conversation, author Steve Berry discusses his deep-rooted love for history, the intricate process of crafting thrillers that intertwine historical facts with modern narratives, and the importance of research in his writing. He also shares insights into his philanthropic efforts through the History Matters initiative, which focuses on preserving local history, and hints at future adventures for his protagonist, Cotton Malone, in unexplored regions of the world. Takeaways Steve Berry's love for history began in childhood. His writing combines action, history, and conspiracies. The formula for his books is 'the same but different.' Research is crucial for creating engaging narratives. The 'ooh factor' is essential in selecting historical elements. History Matters has raised nearly $3 million for preservation. Berry's research trips are meticulously planned. He seeks unique insights during his travels. Cotton Malone will explore new regions in future novels. Berry aims to continue writing for many more years. Steve Berry is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of twenty Cotton Malone novels, six stand-alone thrillers, two Luke Daniels adventures, and several works of short fiction. He has over twenty-six million books in print, translated into forty-one languages. With his wife, Elizabeth, he is the founder of History Matters, an organization dedicated to historical preservation. He serves as an emeritus member of the Smithsonian Libraries Advisory Board and was a founding member of International Thriller Writers, formerly serving as co-president. Check Steve out on Facebook or his website Chapters 00:00 The Roots of a Historian 02:58 Crafting Thrillers with Historical Depth 05:49 Researching History for Modern Thrillers 08:45 Giving Back: The History Matters Initiative 11:41 Future Adventures in Historical Fiction Learn more about the brand new book from Jeff Utecht

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How to Turn Real History into Fiction: Lessons from Steve Berry is an episode from Shifting Our Schools - Education : Technology : Leadership by Jeff Utecht.

This episode is 15:15 long.

This episode was published on Feb 23, 2026.

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