Award-winning English crime author Martin Edwards has come up with a criminally good idea that will appeal to serious writers who want to hone their skills. He’s partnered with editorial consultancy Fiction Feedback to offer a different kind of online crime-writing course, called Crafting Crime. 

The programme comprises 12 written modules mainly drawn from Martin’s extensive experience of conducting writing workshops. Participants study independently by downloading and working through the modules, and will receive critiques of their work. 

They also will gain access to a series of 12 podcasts in which Diamond Dagger winner Edwards discusses the minutiae of writing craft with Dea Parkin, editor-in-chief at Fiction Feedback and secretary of the Crime Writers’ Association.

Giving writers the flexibility to work where and when it suits them, the written modules include tips and quotes from leading authors from around the world such as Elly Griffiths, Michael Robotham, Steve Cavanagh, Hank Phillippi Ryan and Soji Shimada, plus insider know-how from literary agents and publishers.   

“Writers flourish in a flexible and encouraging environment,” says Martin Edwards. “Crafting Crime not only gives technical information about writing but also practical advice and hints about managing the writing life; about how to combine writing with working and how to deal with rejection, as well as the different ways of forging a career as a published writer.” 

The course costs £499 and is available from www.craftingcrime.com. Writers can learn more about the course from a short video at https://vimeo.com/651204798. The email address for enquiries is cc@fictionfeedback.co.uk. You can read our review of Edwards’ 2022 murder mystery, Mortmain Hall, here.