Want to write a Mafia world that feels real? First, you have to make your bones.
The real history of the Sicilian and American Mafias are a world unto themselves with their own ancient culture. Even today, Mafia families remain distinct from their neighbors: it’s just one of the reasons they continue to fascinate. Stories revolving around the mob and its crimes have saturated the cultural landscape and formed our most enduring stereotypes.
“Making your bones”— committing murder as an initiation into the Mafia — is a concept Mario Puzo invented for his book, The Godfather. The real bones you have to make to write convincingly about the Mafia are the supporting structures of your characters, their families, and the world they inhabit.
“Writing the Mafia” is a specialized writing curriculum that resets your mental model of what the Mafia is and does.
- Understand how Mafia Families are structured
- Know what writers often get wrong
- Design a fictional Mafia Family that feels real
- Avoid derivative work
- Understand the relationship between clan and enterprise
- Know how the Mafia uses family ties in recruitment
- Interpret the symbolism in Mafia violence
Art imitates life. Don’t base your character traits or fictional world elements on another artist’s creation. Learn how the most infamous organized crime network operates from an expert on Mafia structure and families.
As a participant, you will engage with real case studies and modern Mafia scholarship, put lessons into practice using writing exercises, and get live feedback on your work.
Your instructor: Justin Cascio is the author of the popular Mafia Genealogy website and two books of Mafia history: IN OUR BLOOD: THE MAFIA FAMILIES OF CORLEONE, and PASQUALINA: THE BOOTLEG QUEEN OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS. Over more than a decade as a Mafia scholar, his research has uncovered the true organizational structure and recruitment methods of the secret, criminal organization known as the Mafia, or La Cosa Nostra.
A seminar cohort is forming now for April 2026. Join Mafia Genealogy on Patreon at the Archivist level ($25/month) to enjoy the complete “Writing the Mafia” experience.
What writers are saying about working with Justin Cascio:
“…In short, Justin makes me a better writer, and it really feels good.” —Greg White, author of The Pink Marine (source of the Netflix series, Boots)
“I’ve worked with Justin as well and appreciate him immensely. Being a good editor requires a great mind and a fine hand and Justin has that.” —Felicity Hodgman
“…a joy to record with, and a great storyteller.” Andrew Martin, The Family Histories Podcast
“I feel like you told me my fly was open, so I could zip it before walking out on stage…. I greatly appreciated your particular feedback. It was one of the most useful reviews I’ve ever received.” —James Arthur (on Scribophile)
Mafia Genealogy 