‘I discovered Agatha Christie when I was about nine, The Murder at the Vicarage… it’s a perfectly constructed novel, talking about structure… I feel in love with the genre at that point.’
– Val McDermid, author of numerous crime novels including The Distant Echo, Report for Murder and The Mermaids Singing.
Delve into the darkness within
Are you a writer of crime?
Find all things crime fiction from the National Centre for Writing: from reading lists to writing courses, free-to-access tips and tricks for crafting the perfect thriller, plus words of wisdom from some of our favourite writers and industry experts.
National Centre for Writing loves celebrating fiction inspired by the darkness of the human condition, and we are always looking for ways to expand our offering to crime writers and readers alike. Here is your one-stop-shop for the genre of crime fiction.
Julia Crouch on getting started, finding inspiration, and writing what excites
‘I came up with the term ‘domestic noir,’ which then took off and became a whole branch of crime fiction.’
In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, crime writer and NCW tutor Julia Crouch welcomes the New Year with us and shares her advice and encouragement for the writing year ahead.
Crime fiction of the century
Hear from the experts, from published authors to industry professionals:
Writing contemporary crime fiction: Val McDermid on Past Lying
In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, award-winning writer Val McDermid shares insights on writing contemporary crime fiction.
11 August 2025
How to structure a crime novel plot
Crime writer and tutor Julia Crouch, author of Her Husband’s Lover and The Daughters, shares her advice for structuring a crime novel plot.
9 January 2026
Podcast: In conversation with bestselling crime writer Ian Rankin
In this episode of The Writing Life podcast, we speak with bestselling crime writer Ian Rankin about his new standalone short thriller ‘The Rise’.
6 November 2023
Improving representation in fiction
“I had no examples of people like me in the page.”
Sara Collins, author of historical crime novel The Confessions of Frannie Langton, joins us on the pod to talk about representation in literature – both behind-the-scenes and within stories.
What’s on — upcoming events, workshops & courses
Join us to hone your writing skills, gain insights from industry experts, and craft your own whodunnit through our upcoming events and practical courses.
The Writing Life (June 2026)
Spark your creativity and build a creative routine with our 30-day writing challenge! The Writing Life includes 30 unique writing exercises.
Thursday 1 January
The Writing Life: Reflect (July 2026)
Get playful and explore writing in this new 30-day writing challenge, with fresh prompts and unique lessons.
Wednesday 8 July
Everything is Material: Writing from Lived Experience with Uju Asika
Draw from your lived experiences to craft rich and compelling stories from both the ordinary and extraordinary moments.
Saturday 1 August
The Writing Life (September 2026)
Spark your creativity and build a creative routine with our 30-day writing challenge! The Writing Life includes 30 unique writing exercises.
Tuesday 1 September
Mindful Goal Setting with Louise Tondeur
Join us for a gentle, grounding session to help you pause, set intentions and reconnect with your writing.
Saturday 12 September
How to Write Fiction (12-week course)
Learn the essential tools to craft compelling fiction, featuring personalised one-to-one feedback, engaging lessons, and practical exercises to help you develop a consistent writing practice.
Monday 21 September
Creative Non-Fiction: An Introduction (12-week course)
Explore various creative non-fiction forms, and receive personalised feedback to transform ordinary moments into extraordinary narratives.
Monday 21 September
Develop Your Fiction (18-week course)
This fiction course deepens your writing skills, guiding you through more sophisticated techniques and diverse approaches to storytelling. You’ll experiment creatively, read widely, and emerge with a polished draft.
Monday 21 September
Master Your Prose Fiction with Ian Nettleton (10-week course)
Join Ian Nettleton for a practical, supportive course to help you refine your manuscript and prepare it for agents with confidence.
Monday 21 September
The Writing Life: Reflect (October 2026)
Get playful and explore writing in this new 30-day writing challenge, with fresh prompts and unique lessons.
Thursday 1 October
Writing From the Archives with Elizabeth Lewis Williams (six-week course)
Discover how to use archives to craft narratives in this six-week evening course led by writer Elizabeth Lewis Williams.
Tuesday 13 October
Preparing for Publication (eight-week course)
Take your manuscript from draft to submission with an eight‑week course that prepares you for publishing and the professional writing world.
Monday 12 October
