The essentials of writing crime fiction

Actions Panel

The essentials of writing crime fiction

By The Guardian Masterclasses

Date and time

December 6, 2014 · 10am - December 7, 2014 · 5pm GMT

Location

The Guardian

Kings Place 90 York Way London N1 9GU United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Contact the organizer to request a refund.

Description

Solve the mystery of how to write gripping crime fiction with a two-day investigation into the genre led by top authors

Everybody loves a good, juicy murder. So it's little wonder crime fiction is one of the UK's bestselling literary genres. Whether your tastes tend toward the gritty Jack Reacher procedural or the witty Father Brown whimsical, over the course of a weekend, acclaimed novelists William Ryan and M.R. Hall, joined by literary agent David Headley, will give an intensive and entertaining overview of the building blocks of crime fiction.

This course will be of real value if you're a writer looking to delve into the world of crime fiction. From understanding the types of fiction agents, publishers and readers are looking for to giving practical and incisive help with your plotting and characterisation, through a series of lectures and workshops, you'll learn how to drive your novel forward without giving everything away – and while keeping your readers gripped. You'll leave the course with a step-by-step guide to developing your crime novel, and invaluable feedback from three professionals at the top of their game on how to continue.

This course is for you if...

  • You wish to learn about the conventions of plotting, character construction and how to build tension in crime novels
  • You're an experienced author looking for insight into what publishers – and readers – of crime fiction are looking for
  • You're a fiction author outside the crime scene who wishes to learn more about the literary mechanics of mystery and suspense

Course description

This practical weekend course provides a step-by-step guide to help you develop a marketable crime novel, and you'll also receive feedback from authors at the top of their game, as well as tips from an agent and bookseller. Topics covered during the event will include:

  • What makes crime fiction tick
  • The crime fiction market
  • Introduction to plotting
  • Technical aspects of crime writing
  • Developing subsidiary characters and dramatic conflict
  • How to create a unique central character
  • Writing sharp and engaging dialogue
  • What agents are looking for
  • The three act structure
  • Workshops on plotting, characterisation and dialogue

Tutor profiles

M.R. Hall is a Bafta-nominated screenwriter, producer and former criminal barrister. His fifth novel The Chosen Dead features the brave but fragile Coroner Jenny Cooper and the trademark combination of intricate detail, perfect plotting, televisual narrative and flawed but believable characters.

William Ryan teaches on the Crime Thriller Novel M.A. course at City University. His Soviet Russian Captain Korolev novels – The Holy Thief, The Bloody Meadow and The Twelfth Department – have between them been shortlisted for the Theakstons' Crime Novel of the Year, the CWA New Blood Dagger, the Kerry Group Irish Fiction Award, the Ireland AM Irish Crime Novel of the Year Award and the CWA Ellis Peters Historical Dagger, and have been published in 17 countries.

David Headley is the managing director of Goldsboro Books, an independent bookseller based in central London, and founder of the DHH Literary Agency. David represents a number of crime writers and has a reputation for championing debut authors, both as an agent and bookseller.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website

Organized by

Welcome to Guardian Masterclasses – a unique programme of learning embedded within one of the world's most forward-thinking media organisations.

We offer a broad range of short and long courses across a variety of disciplines from creative writing, journalism, photography and design, film and digital media, music and cultural appreciation.

Harnessing the expertise and specialisms within the organisation, our courses are led by first class and award winning guardian professionals whilst also drawing on the skills and expertise of other leading figures at the forefront of the creative and digital industries.

The programme is aimed at anyone interested in personal or professional development whether that be refining your skills, focusing your ambition or simply broadening your mind and gaining inspiration.

Sales Ended