Writing Crime and Thriller Novels FAQs

Writing Crime and Thriller Novels FAQs

What is Writing Crime and Thriller Novels?
Join best-selling author and former police Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett on our dedicated, genre-specific Writing Crime and Thriller Novels course. Over six weeks, you’ll learn the art of creating complex characters, building suspense and crafting thrilling plots. From understanding criminal psychology to mastering twists and red herrings, you’ll finish with the tools you need to captivate readers, keeping them on the edge of their seats.

What is Graham's experience?
Graham Bartlett was Brighton and Hove Police’s Chief Superintendent, a senior homicide detective and a public order and firearms commander before becoming a best-selling crime fiction and non-fiction author. His debut non-fiction, ‘Death Comes Knocking’, written with Peter James, was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller. As a police procedure and crime advisor, Graham works with over 150 authors and TV writers, helping them inject authenticity into their work.

What is included in the course?
Each week, you’ll complete a writing exercise and receive feedback from both Graham and your course mates. You’ll also join a live webinar, where you’ll dive deep into the week’s key topic, ask questions and share ideas. At the end of the course, you’ll submit the first 5000 words of your manuscript and receive personalised feedback from Graham on your writing. In addition, you’ll have the chance to submit your work for inclusion in the Jericho Writers anthology, which is sent to hundreds of literary agents, and receive a free one-to-one session with either Graham or a literary agent where you can discuss your work.

What will I get from the course?
After completing the course, you’ll have:  
  1. A deep understanding of the structures unique to crime and thriller novels
  2. The ability to assess whether your work-in-progress or book idea has a compelling hook and page-turning plot
  3. A strong awareness of the key components of writing in these genres – twists, suspense and big reveals – plus knowledge of how to employ techniques effectively
  4. An understanding of how to use research and expert input for world-building, and the enhance the authenticity of your work
  5. Knowledge of how to refine and edit your own writing
  6. One-to-one feedback from an industry expert – either Graham or a literary agent
  7. Personalised feedback on first 5000 words of your manuscript. 

How much does the course cost?
We have the following payment options for you to choose from:
  1. Pay as a lump sum of £1,000.
  2. Pay in 3 instalments of £350, per month.
Premium Members can save 10% on both the upfront and instalment payment options

Who is Writing Crime and Thriller Novels suitable for?
This course is suitable for anyone writing within the crime or thriller genres, as well as any of their many sub-genres! You don’t need a completed manuscript to enrol, but you do need an idea for your novel in order to get started. 
If you’d like to study on a course that focuses on more than one genre, you might want to consider our Ultimate Novel Writing Programme or Novel Writing Course instead. If you have a completed novel and would like to focus on perfecting your submission pack and pursuing traditional publication, Path to Publication might be more suitable for you. 

How many hours will the course take?
The course takes place entirely online, so it is tailored to fit around your schedule. We suggest you spend 3-4 hours per week on the course, which will include one hour spent on a webinar with your tutor and course mates, plus an hour spent studying the materials shared. In addition, you’ll need to complete your weekly assignment.
Don’t forget, though, that you’ll have indefinite access to all your course content – so if you fall behind, you won’t miss out

Can I meet the tutor before committing?
You can book a 20 minute one-to-one video call with Graham Bartlett for just £20, through our Meet Your Tutor sessions. We know how important it is to feel comfortable and confident when committing to a writing course, so these sessions are designed to give you an insight into how you might work alongside your tutor, and whether this course is the right next step for you.


You can find more information about Writing Crime and Thriller Novels in the course brochure, which you can download here.

If you have any further questions about Writing Crime and Thriller Novels, you can book a call with a member of the team here, or you can get in touch with the team at courses@jerichowriters.com.
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