‘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.
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.
Tuesday 5 May
The Body in the Kitchen Garden: Vintage Cream Tea with Paula Sutton
Join interior stylist, author, columnist, and TV personality Paula Sutton for an in-conversation event over cream tea in the atmospheric grounds of Dragon Hall.
Friday 22 May
Writing the Past (eight-week course)
Learn and develop ways of writing confidently about the past. Whether you are writing fiction or non-fiction, this course will focus on helping you to develop your tools and techniques to create authentic depictions of historical worlds and lives.
Monday 1 June
How to Edit a Novel (eight-week course)
Approach your work with fresh perspective, and receive personalised feedback to refine your manuscript to its full potential.
Monday 1 June
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
