


Writing Crime
Plot the perfect crime in our intensive twelve week course with best-selling author Claire McGowan.
Level
What do these levels mean?
Location
Length
- Start Date
- Time
- Flexible (see Course Schedule)
Places available
£695
£200 / month for 2 months and a £295.00 deposit
£695
View payment options

Plot the perfect crime...
Have you ever wanted to write a crime novel, but don’t know where to start? Do you want to learn the techniques to get going, and find the confidence to put your ideas down on paper? In this twelve-week course, you will learn all the important techniques you need to write a successful novel in the crime or thriller genre, as well as gaining help with the important choices you need to make before you start, such as choosing a story, deciding on viewpoint and structure, and building in suspense from page one.
With lectures to live-stream or watch on demand, exercises to complete from home, and reading materials on each topic, you can move through this course at a pace that suits you. There will also be the opportunity to receive direct feedback from the tutor on your work up to three times during the course.


Is this the right course for me?
Over the twelve weeks, you will look at topics including suspense, plotting, story and concept, viewpoint and character, and more. You will also learn how to keep going with your novel after the course ends and how to aim towards eventual publication.
This course is for anyone who’s in the middle of a crime novel and not sure where to go next, or just at the start, or even yet to write a word! If you choose to complete all the exercises in the course, you could come away with your first five to ten thousand words.

The course is comprised of six sessions and lasts for twelve weeks. Each fortnight-long session will open on a Monday. Zoom lectures take place on every other Wednesday, 19:00–20:30, on 9 April, 23 April, 7 May, 21 May, 4 June, 18 June.

Course Programme
Session 1
7 April – 20 April
An Introduction to the Genre...
Session 2
21 April – 4 May
Suspense...
Session 3
5 May – 18 May
Structure...
Tutor

Claire McGowan
Claire McGowan is a writer of crime and literary fiction, and has also published women's fiction as Eva Woods. She was...
More About This TutorClaire McGowan is an excellent and inspirational tutor, full of tips about the genre.


Location
Faber Academy's bespoke online classroom has been built from scratch specifically for helping writers develop their craft. Through this platform you will access your weekly sessions, watch video lessons, join any Zoom sessions, download class materials and interact with your fellow writers in dedicated forums at a time that suits you. Our online learning model prioritises interaction, lively discussion and workshopping in small groups to help you get the most out of your learning experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level do I need to be at to take this course?
This course is described as ‘improving’ and its focus is on honing your existing crime fiction skills and adding to your knowledge of the craft. This means you don’t need to have any experience writing a novel – and you don’t need to have started yours yet – but you will need to have an idea (or several ideas) for one you’d like to write.
How much time do I need to commit to this course?
We’d usually recommend setting aside five to seven hours per week for this course. If you have more time to spare for your own writing, that’s a bonus!
Browse the Reading Room
From author interviews and writing tips to creative writing exercises and reading lists, we've got everything you need to get started – and to keep going.
Recommendations from Faber
Founded in 1929 in London, Faber is one of the world's great publishing houses. Our list of authors includes thirteen Nobel Laureates and six Booker Prize-winners.
Visit Faber