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 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.
Angela is a best-selling novelist and screenwriter. She’s delighted her latest psych thriller The Anniversary Party (Hachette, 2025) is an Amazon number one bestseller in Serial Killers, and plans to get that ranking printed on a t-shirt. She is the author of On My Life (Hachette, 2019), the Social Media Murders Series including Trust Me (HarperCollins, 2017), Watch Me (HarperCollins, 2016), and Follow Me (HarperCollins, 2015). She also wrote the humorous memoir Confessions of a Fashionista (Penguin Random House, 2013). Follow Me was named Amazon’s Rising Star Debut January 2016, longlisted for the Crime Writer’s Association Dagger in the Library 2016, and shortlisted for the Dead Good Page Turner Award 2016. For screen Angela has written on childrens’, crime and drama developments and shows for AMC, Netflix, BBC, Channel 4, CBeebies and BBC Sounds. Two of her novels have been optioned for television adaptation. Angela has hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), Angela is passionate about bringing marginalised voices into the creative industries.
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-crime-and-thriller-fiction3049792How to write crime and thriller fictionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/o/how_to_write_crime_and_thriller_fiction-1080.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>003051946How to write crime and thriller fiction179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/o/how_to_write_crime_and_thriller_fiction-1080_1.jpgInStockEveningThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-02-18T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceFeb 2027WritingHW732179179How to write crime and thriller fiction179116179Angela Clarkehow-to-write-crime-and-thriller-fiction/hw732-2627<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|2027-02-18 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 storiesvirtual3049783How to write crime and thriller fiction179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/o/how_to_write_crime_and_thriller_fiction-1080_2.jpgInStockEveningTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-15T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceSep 2026WritingHW729179179How to write crime and thriller fiction179116179Angela Clarkehow-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 storiesvirtual179179116HW732,HW729NONEThu,Tue15/09/26 - 20/10/2617:30 - 19:3017:3019:306 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetAngela ClarkeBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2027-02-18T00:00:00+00:00,2026-09-15T00:00:00+00:00Feb 2027,Sep 2026Writing179179How to write crime and thriller fictionhow-to-write-crime-and-thriller-fiction/hw732-2627,how-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
