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This six-week course will cover a range of tools and techniques you’ll need to craft an edge-of-your-seat page turner, helping you to write your own book in the crime and thriller genre.
What will we cover?
The importance of character psychology
Building tension in a story
Approaches to plotting
Different sub-genres within crime and thriller fiction.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Plot your own thriller
Create complex and intriguing characters as part of an overall mystery
Select and effectively describe conceits appropriate to the genre
Experiment with writing in different modes, from spy thriller to police drama.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Prior experience of creative writing is beneficial but not essential.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
A mix of group work, workshopping, writing exercises, pair work, 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.
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?
City Lit offers a range of writing courses for aspiring authors. Browse the writing section of our website to find the perfect course for you.
All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Bluesky.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/how-to-write-crime-and-thriller-fiction3049792How to write crime and thriller fictionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Writing-the-body-in-fiction-HW604-1024.jpg179179GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Writing/Novels and short stories/Novels and short stories/Courses/Writing/Courses/Writing/Novels and short stories228515881358113599122851358113599<p>Learn how to master pace and tension in this course on writing crime and thriller fiction, from detective-led noir to espionage action. </p>003049783How to write crime and thriller fiction179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Writing-the-body-in-fiction-HW604-1024.jpgInStockEveningTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-15T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceSep 2026WritingHW729179179How to write crime and thriller fiction179116179how-to-write-crime-and-thriller-fiction/hw729-2627<p>Learn how to master pace and tension in this course on writing crime and thriller fiction, from detective-led noir to espionage action. </p>0000-Available|2026-09-15 00:00:00<p>This six-week course will cover a range of tools and techniques you’ll need to craft an edge-of-your-seat page turner, helping you to write your own book in the crime and thriller genre.</p><p>Learn how to master pace and tension in this course on writing crime and thriller fiction, from detective-led noir to espionage action. </p><ul><li>The importance of character psychology</li><li>Building tension in a story</li><li>Approaches to plotting</li><li>Different sub-genres within crime and thriller fiction.</li></ul><ul><li>Plot your own thriller</li><li>Create complex and intriguing characters as part of an overall mystery</li><li>Select and effectively describe conceits appropriate to the genre</li><li>Experiment with writing in different modes, from spy thriller to police drama.</li></ul><p>Prior experience of creative writing is beneficial but not essential.</p><p>A mix of group work, workshopping, writing exercises, pair work, 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" rel="noopener noreferrer">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.</p> <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>.<p>Writing materials.</p><p>City Lit offers a range of writing courses for aspiring authors. Browse the writing section of our website to find the perfect course for you.<br><br>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/citylitwriting.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bluesky</a>.</p><p> </p>Novels and short storiesNovels and short storiesvirtual179179116HW729NONETue15/09/26 - 20/10/2617:30 - 19:3017:3019:306 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2026-09-15T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Writing179179How to write crime and thriller fictionhow-to-write-crime-and-thriller-fiction/hw729-2627<p>Learn how to master pace and tension in this course on writing crime and thriller fiction, from detective-led noir to espionage action. </p>0000-Available|2026-09-15 00:00:00<p>This six-week course will cover a range of tools and techniques you’ll need to craft an edge-of-your-seat page turner, helping you to write your own book in the crime and thriller genre.</p><p>Learn how to master pace and tension in this course on writing crime and thriller fiction, from detective-led noir to espionage action. </p><ul><li>The importance of character psychology</li><li>Building tension in a story</li><li>Approaches to plotting</li><li>Different sub-genres within crime and thriller fiction.</li></ul><ul><li>Plot your own thriller</li><li>Create complex and intriguing characters as part of an overall mystery</li><li>Select and effectively describe conceits appropriate to the genre</li><li>Experiment with writing in different modes, from spy thriller to police drama.</li></ul><p>Prior experience of creative writing is beneficial but not essential.</p><p>A mix of group work, workshopping, writing exercises, pair work, 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" rel="noopener noreferrer">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.</p> <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>.<p>Writing materials.</p><p>City Lit offers a range of writing courses for aspiring authors. Browse the writing section of our website to find the perfect course for you.<br><br>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/citylitwriting.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bluesky</a>.</p><p> </p>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
