Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This one-day session will cover the essentials of writing an edge-of-your-seat thriller novel, covering key aspects of the genre to help you begin your own bestseller.
What will we cover?
- Character psychology - Building tension in a story - Crime and mystery - Approaches to plotting.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Understand techniques used by thriller writers to build suspense. - Develop a killer concept. - Create a compelling cast of characters.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory course and suitable for complete beginners as well as more experienced creative writers.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
A mix of group work, writing exercises, excerpt analysis and formal instruction from the tutor.
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Writing materials.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You may want to consider 'Getting away with murder: how to write crime fiction' or 'Writing Horror'.
A former journalist, Sophie McKenzie attended a writing class at City Lit in 2003 and has been writing fiction ever since. She has published over 25 books - including award-winning teen thrillers and crime fiction novels for adults. She is currently writing a new story featuring several strong female characters and working on a drama script for a TV production company.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/how-to-write-a-thriller296110How to write a thrillerhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/o/how-to-write-a-thriller-hw664-1080_4.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Writing/Novels and short stories/Novels and short stories/Courses/Writing/Genre writing courses/Courses/Writing/Courses/Writing/Novels and short stories/Courses/vm/Summer offers/Courses/vm/Halloween Courses/Courses/Halloween Courses/Courses/Online courses/Courses/vm/Creative courses2285158813517135811359913614134821701173186731228513581135991653Learn the art of writing a thriller novel, from concept and character to the twists and turns of story pacing.252693967How to write a thriller7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/o/how-to-write-a-thriller-hw664-1080_4_4.jpgInStockDaytimeSatOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-06-20T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceJun 2026WritingHW6647979How to write a thriller794079Sophie McKenziehow-to-write-a-thriller/hw664-2526Learn the art of writing a thriller novel, from concept and character to the twists and turns of story pacing.0000-Available|2026-06-20 00:00:00This one-day session will cover the essentials of writing an edge-of-your-seat thriller novel, covering key aspects of the genre to help you begin your own bestseller.Learn the art of writing a thriller novel, from concept and character to the twists and turns of story pacing.- Character psychology<br/>- Building tension in a story<br/>- Crime and mystery <br/>- Approaches to plotting.- Understand techniques used by thriller writers to build suspense. <br/>- Develop a killer concept.<br/>- Create a compelling cast of characters.This is an introductory course and suitable for complete beginners as well as more experienced creative writers.A mix of group work, writing exercises, excerpt analysis and formal instruction from the tutor. <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Writing materials.You may want to consider 'Getting away with murder: how to write crime fiction' or 'Writing Horror'.Novels and short storiesNovels and short storiesvirtual797940HW664NONESat20/06/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyWeekendOnlineOnlineSophie McKenzieBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2026-06-20T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeJun 2026Writing7979How to write a thrillerhow-to-write-a-thriller/hw664-2526Learn the art of writing a thriller novel, from concept and character to the twists and turns of story pacing.0000-Available|2026-06-20 00:00:00This one-day session will cover the essentials of writing an edge-of-your-seat thriller novel, covering key aspects of the genre to help you begin your own bestseller.Learn the art of writing a thriller novel, from concept and character to the twists and turns of story pacing.- Character psychology<br/>- Building tension in a story<br/>- Crime and mystery <br/>- Approaches to plotting.- Understand techniques used by thriller writers to build suspense. <br/>- Develop a killer concept.<br/>- Create a compelling cast of characters.This is an introductory course and suitable for complete beginners as well as more experienced creative writers.A mix of group work, writing exercises, excerpt analysis and formal instruction from the tutor. <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Writing materials.You may want to consider 'Getting away with murder: how to write crime fiction' or 'Writing Horror'.Novels and short storiesNovels and short storiesconfigurable
158813599Novels and short storieshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/writing/novels-and-short-stories/novels-and-short-stories-11/2/285/13581/13599/1588/Courses/Writing/Novels and short stories/Novels and short stories
