How To Write a Crime Novel (ASC147)

Join us for a new short for aspiring crime-fiction writers.

What will you learn on this course?

By the end of this intensive and supportive ten-hour workshop, led by bestselling crime writer David B. Lyons, you will have written the opening chapters of your crime novel.

Your opening chapters will evolve week-on-week, shared and discussed with the group that will constructively help you decide on:

- the ideal voice for your crime novel

- the ideal narrative point of view for your crime novel

- the ideal setting for your crime novel

- the ideal characters for your crime novel, including your heroes and villains, as well as perfecting the dialogue for each

As you are evolving the opening of your crime novel, you will also learn how you can structure the rest of your story, improving your ability to write mysteriously, using ‘twists’ and turns to suit the tropes of the crime-fiction genre.

Alongside evolving your chapter into a worthy opening for your debut crime novel, David will also offer insight on the many publishing avenues you may take once your novel is completed.

David fully believes there has never been a better time to be an author. If you’ve ever felt you had a crime-fiction book inside of you that you hoped to get out one day, this course aims to finally get that book out of you.

You will finish the course with the strongest possible opening for your crime novel, the structure beats for the rest of your crime novel, and the knowledge and belief that you can get that crime novel published using the many different avenues open to aspiring authors today.

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for adults aged 18+ years. This course is for writers specifically looking to explore writing crime fiction. It is open to all levels of writing experience

At the heart of MAC is a focus on accessibility and inclusion. Please contact us to discuss your specific access needs. A personal assistant or companion must book a complimentary ticket if attending to provide support.

Do you need to bring anything?

Please bring a notebook and a pen, or laptop/tablet if you prefer.

Are there any additional costs?

There are no additional costs apart from your preferred writing materials.

Who teaches this course?

David B. Lyons

Biography

David B. Lyons is a bestselling author of psychological crime fiction. He has had number one-selling novels in the UK, Ireland, Canada and Australia.  During his twenty-five-year writing career (he was a national journalist in Ireland before landing his first publishing deal in 2017), David has taught creative writing at Rathmines College in Dublin and then in Coventry University following his move to the West Midlands.

He had a number one hit with his second novel Whatever Happened to Betsy Blake? —a missing person thriller — back in 2019. Then wrote the critically-acclaimed novel In The Middle of Middle America in 2021—a story set behind the scenes of a 24-hour news network that was hailed “a modern masterpiece” by The Book Literati.

David now lives in Kings Heath with his wife Kerry and their daughter Lola and has written many chapters of his novels inside MAC.