This is a great thread, and I'd like some thoughts on my situation.
I have a Master's in Historic Preservation, and as of January, four years experience researching topics and interacting with the public in state parks. I recently became aware of a murder case that was highly publicized. It involved an eccentric rich old man who practiced mysticism, a bizarre will, a fight over his fortune, three governors, packed court rooms, and even the Pinkerton Detective Agency. It relates directly to my work, since it happened in the same county where I now live, but nobody has written about it in over 100 years! I'm working on a collaboration with a colleague to see if we can get an article in a peer journal, but the more research I do, the more I'm beginning to think I could write a book on it. I live close to a major university that has it's own press, and I think it would be of local/regional interest, especially since the murder remains unsolved and some of the buildings have survived. Yet, being over 100 years old, I sincerely doubt there are any living people who can remember it, which means my research is limited to newspapers, books, and whatever archival papers are left. Part of me wants to wait and see how this article pans out, to test the waters, you know?
I think I have a strong case for writing it, but I'd like some experienced advice on whether it's worth the time, and how best to go about it. I have no publication credits.