Behind the Scenes: My Latest Book

Readers often ask how a book comes together. My next book is in progress, so here’s an honest look at the process — the good, the frustrating, and the unexpected.

Where It Started

Two years ago, a source handed me a folder of documents. Nothing dramatic — just a stack of meeting minutes and email printouts. But something didn’t add up.

That folder became “The Settlement Machine” — my upcoming book about how settlement agreements in Nebraska have shaped development policy for decades.

The Reporting Phase

Months 1-6: Document Hunting

• FOIA requests to five state agencies
• Reviewing thousands of pages
• Building a database of settlements since 2000

Months 6-12: Source Development

• Reconnecting with former state employees
• Building trust with reluctant sources
• Cross-referencing documents with public meetings

Months 12-18: Filling Gaps

• Following up on leads that went nowhere
• Discovering new angles
• Reporting trips across the state

The Writing Phase

Month 19: The Outline

• 12 chapters, 3 subplots
• Character list (real people, names changed)
• Timeline of events

Month 20-24: First Draft

• 2,000 words a day, six days a week
• Some days are brilliant. Most are garbage.
• That’s normal.

Month 25-28: Revision

• Cutting 40% of first draft
• Adding new reporting
• Fact-checking every claim

Month 29-32: Fact-Checking

• Three external fact-checkers
• Legal review
• Source verification

What’s Surprised Me

1. SOURCES WHO VANISH — People who were eager to talk suddenly aren’t. It happens.

2. LEADS THAT GO NOWHERE — 80% of reporting that never makes the book.

3. THE STRUCTURE CHANGES — My outline went through four major overhauls.

4. CHARACTERS EMERGE — People I expected to be minor became central to the story.

The Numbers

What I’d Do Different

Start writing earlier. I waited until reporting was “done” — but it’s never done. Writing reveals gaps in your reporting. Start chapters as you go.

The book comes out next spring. I’ll share more as publication approaches.

Matthew Bovee is an investigative reporter and author of three books. His work has won the George Polk Award and two Gerald Loeb Awards.