Tag: Writers Resources

Events Alert: Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival’s “Creative Thursday”

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festival logo

festival logo

I’ve just heard that bookings are now open for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival’s creative writing course for aspiring writers – Creative Thursday. Held on Thursday 18th July 2013, and running from 9am to 6pm, it’s a fabulous opportunity for those interested in writing crime.

This day-long programme of workshops and seminars gives aspiring crime and thriller writers access to bestselling crime writers, publishing industry professionals and real-life crime experts.

The workshop will cover topics including:

  • Learning from the Greats
  • Constructing Character and Plot
  • Interactive Session with the Forensic Science Society
  • Plus the return of The Dragons Pen – Dare you enter and pitch your novel idea?

In addition, a lucky few Creative Thursday participants with a completed concept for a crime novel will get the opportunity to pitch their book to two agents

The Creative Thursday workshop costs £99.

To find out more, pop over to the Festival website here: http://harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/crime/creative-thursday/

Or to book your place, contact the festival office on 01423 562 303 or email crime@harrogate-festival.org.uk

 

 

Competition Alert: CWA Debut Dagger has opened!

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Entries have opened for the Crime Writers Association Debut Dagger competition. Budding crime writers can enter the competition from now until the closing date of 2nd February 2013.

The competition offers a prize of £700 and all shortlisted entrants receive a professional assessment of their entries.

The shortlist will be announced at CRIMEFEST in May, and the winner announced at the glitzy CWA Awards Ceremony in July 2013.

To enter you’ll need a 500 – 1000 word synopsis and the first 3000 words (or fewer) of your novel, plus you’ll need to complete the entry form, pay the entry fee and ensure you’re abiding by the competition rules.

To find out more about the competition and how to enter, head over to http://www.thecwa.co.uk/daggers/debut/index.html

While you’re there, you can also sign up for regular competition updates, and check out the wealth of writing hints and tips.

So what are you waiting for?

Writing Prompts: “A Great Place for Murder”

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English: The Old Land Port

English: The Old Land Port (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The other week, along with several of my writing friends from The Nomad Novelist Writers Group, I joined a walking tour of Dickens’ Portsmouth.  It was a fabulous tour, fill of great little insights into the life and world of Dickens.  But the thing I got most from the tour was the opportunity to have a good look around Portsmouth’s nooks and crannies.

A fellow writer had set his recently completed dark thriller in the city.  I was a beta reader of his first draft, and as we walked he gleefully pointed out all the locations that had featured in the novel.

As we neared the end of the tour we came across the Landport Gate. At this point I turned and said, ‘Wow, wouldn’t this make a great place for a murder.’  He agreed.  And as we were discussing how it might happen, we noticed the other people on the tour (non writers) quickly moving away from us.

Perhaps we should have explained we were plotting for a book!

What places have inspired your writing?

 

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