Crime & Thriller Writing Course

HomeCrime and Thriller Writing

Twists, turns and writing on the edge of your seat

This course is ideal for: People who want to write compelling crime and terrific thrillers

How to write a gripping page-turner
The different types of crime/thriller fiction
The ingredients every good story needs
How to manage characters, pace, suspense and climax
Publishing options and more.

“I loved this course! I learnt so much about what is essential for a crime and thriller novel, about how these genres differ from other genres (and also from each other). It was practical and helpful.”
– Melinda Woledge, Crime and Thriller Writing graduate

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Key information
Key information:
This is an online tutor-led Zoom course Duration 1 This is an online tutor-led Zoom course Starts: Monday 3 March 2025 Starts: Monday 3 March 2025 Duration: 5 Monday evenings 6.30–8.30pm (Syd/Mel time) Duration: 5 Monday evenings 6.30–8.30pm (Syd/Mel time) With: L.A. Larkin With: L.A. Larkin $550 Can’t make this one? Just fill out this form and we’ll be in touch when there’s a course date that suits you.

Danger, action and adrenaline-pumping tension

You love the idea of writing a crime or thriller novel.
Maybe you’ve already written the first chapter(s) or have an amazing premise that’s just waiting to unfold.
You want to write a nail-biter that readers can’t put down – and that publishers love.

The top 10 living crime fiction authors have sold 450 million books and that figure just keeps rising. Even J.K. Rowling is now writing crime fiction. Do you love gritty detectives, troubled PIs and cool FBI agents? Or are you a fan of fast-paced, high stakes thrillers with a hero plunged into danger on a seemingly impossible mission?

Crime and thriller novels dominate the bestseller lists around the world. Just think of Michael Connelly, Dan Brown, Stieg Larsson, David Baldacci, Patricia Cornwall, Janet Evanovich or Michael Robotham. Or shows like The Bourne Identity, Law and Order, Sherlock and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.

Learn Online Live with L.A. Larkin

Over five evenings, author L.A. Larkin will guide you on a journey into the murky and murderous world of crime fiction and thrillers.

With our Online Live courses, you participate online from the comfort of your own home in a live Zoom video-based classroom. Your presenter and your classmates are right there with you in real time.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Different types of crime fiction and thrillers – and what kind of story yours is
Core ‘ingredients’ of a detective story and a classic thriller
Techniques to discover your story
Researching your story
Creating intriguing and well-rounded central characters
Opening paragraphs to your novel and hooking your reader
Creating a sense of place in your story
Writing action scenes
Managing pace and building suspense
Discovering your story’s climax
Publishing options available, and the market for crime fiction and thrillers today.

"The course has had a huge impact on my writing. It's changed my understanding of the thriller genre and my approach to writing it."
– Shankari Chandran Crime and Thriller Writing graduate, and author of The Barrier.

"I found the course really valuable. It gives a great overview of the genre, everything you need to know about getting started on your novel and all the details in between."
– Julie Fison Graduate of Crime and Thriller Writing, author of One Punch"

Reviews of Crime and Thriller Writing

“I enjoyed getting a personal perspective from a crime and thriller writer. The course was logically put together and covered a lot of very useful information. It was a fantastic course that was well worth undertaking.”

– Liam Saville

“Louisa is brilliant! She is knowledgeable, intelligent, funny, down to earth and presented the course material in a clear and concise way that just made sense. I feel like she has given me a pair of glasses – all the fuzzy ideas I had about structure, plot, complications, turning points, action scenes and so on are now clear and in focus. I just wish I had done this course sooner!”

– Anna Haley

“My life has been impacted profoundly by all the courses I've done with AWC. This one in particular has motivated me to write that crime novel and given me skills and the direction that I needed. Go for it. It will change your life.”

– Helen Cooper

“Louisa Larkin was fantastic. So knowledgeable and obviously experienced in the genre. She was great at giving constructive feedback to ideas and very clear in the way she set out the information.”

– Saffy Ossa

Enjoy exclusive access to our AWC Graduates’ Club

Want to know where all the cool kids hang out? The Graduates’ Club of course! Now, calm down – there are no cigars, leather armchairs or loud ticking grandfather clocks here. But it IS exclusive invitation only (on completion of a course) and it’s free! Meet other writers online and share successes, seek help or just get something off your chest. Many students believe this ‘legacy learning’ is one of the most valuable things about our AWC community, and who are we to argue? So if you want to receive feedback, support and a heads-up on opportunities … join the Club!

Key information
Key information:
This is an online tutor-led Zoom course Duration 1 This is an online tutor-led Zoom course Starts: Monday 3 March 2025 Starts: Monday 3 March 2025 Duration: 5 Monday evenings 6.30–8.30pm (Syd/Mel time) Duration: 5 Monday evenings 6.30–8.30pm (Syd/Mel time) With: L.A. Larkin With: L.A. Larkin $550 Can’t make this one? Just fill out this form and we’ll be in touch when there’s a course date that suits you.