In 2022 we brought you a mixture of online and in-person masterclasses – if you’re a crime writer or writing in another genre but aiming to bring the page turning quality of a gripping read to your work, these were invaluable – watch out for our 2023 masterclasses.
Find out from Graham Bartlett and Casey King how crimes are investigated, and ask all those tricky procedural questions.
Catherine Ryan Hoawrd, the Queen of the Twist, will be taking you through your plotting paces and Literary Agent Simon Trewin will be discussing the market, how to catch an agent’s eye and exactly how publishing works.
Places are ALWAYS limited.
ONLINE: Tuesday 4th October 7pm -9pm
How to Get Away With Murder: Online Crime Writing Masterclass
Ex Chief Superintendent turned bestselling author Graham Bartlett, and ex Garda Detective, writer Casey King, will discuss procedure and protocol as well as highlighting the most common mistakes made by writers.
Whether you write psychological thrillers or procedurals, find out from two experienced law enforcers how crime is investigated and what you need to get right to make your book – and characters – work. What are the developments in crime investigation that can you use to make your book stand out? How does investigation differ across boarders? With first hand experience and case studies Graham and Casey are experts in their field – Graham is the police adviser to many bestselling authors including the legendary Peter James.
And there will be plenty of time for questions, if you’re writing any sort of crime novel, this is a workshop you cannot afford to miss!
IN PERSON: Friday 7th October at @ dlr LexIcon venue
11am-1pm IN PERSON
How to Plot the Perfect Murder: Crime Writing Masterclass with Catherine Ryan Howard
Learn how to plot the perfect crime novel with Dagger and Edgar shortlisted crime author Catherine Ryan Howard. This workshop will explore the mechanics of storytelling and the best methods for taking your idea from brain to blurb. Catherine will share each step of her own process, from interrogating the initial idea to getting to ‘THE END’ of the first draft, with lots of Post-It Notes in between. Even if you’re more of a pantser than a plotter, this workshop will offer techniques, tips and tricks that will help you strengthen your storytelling and keep your readers turning the page.
2pm-3.30pm IN PERSON
The Perfect Agent Submission with Literary Agent Simon Trewin
London based literary agent Simon Trewin has spent over twenty five years in publishing, representing some of the biggest names in the business. Simon will discuss the key mistakes that new writers make when approaching agents and how to avoid them, and what needs to go into your submission package with bestselling author Sam Blake.
What makes a great covering letter and why is your pitch so important? How do you write a synopsis and what makes it different to a blurb? Get crucial tips on your first three chapters and what they need to deliver for your reader. Find out who to approach and how to give your book the best chance of success.
4pm- 5.30pm IN PERSON
How Publishing Works with Literary Agent Simon Trewin
Understanding how the publishing industry works will help you cope with rejection and improve your chances of avoiding it. Sam Blake will quiz literary agent Simon Trewin on the process from contract signing to shelf, how long that takes and what’s involved. Find out how writers get paid and the role of the literary agent, and how literary contracts work. Not all publishers are created equal – get the inside track on what questions to ask, how to avoid costly mistakes and what to look for if you are approaching publishers directly.