10 Top Online Crime Writing Courses – Free and Paid

Online crime writing courses to learn how to write a crime novel. Find a crime fiction course, crime writing workshop or crime writing course online for writers.

Crime fiction is one of the best-selling genres, but how do you write crime fiction? What makes a good crime story? How do you go about writing a crime thriller? If you’ve always wanted to a write crime story and want to improve your writing skills and techniques when building suspense and writing detective fiction, here are creative writing classes specifically for this hugely popular genre.
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Check out these following 10 top online crime writing courses to find crime writing courses to become a crime writer.

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1. David Baldacci Teaches Mystery and Thriller Writing

​​An online crime writing course on mystery and thriller writing from David Baldacci, the New York Times bestselling author of Absolute Power, Split Second, and True Blue.

​Here you will learn his techniques for "crafting authentic characters, developing research-based plots, and navigating the world of publishing".

If you want to learn how to write a crime novel from an established, successful and well-known published author, this course could be the ideal option for you.

The 18 video lessons cover many aspects including finding the idea; research methods and sources; constructing chapters; pacing, tension, and suspense; creating compelling characters; crafting dialogue; navigating the publishing business; and much more.

For all levels of writers, this online course on mystery and thriller writing teaches you all about writing clues, red herrings and plot twists, and creating suspense to ensure readers keep reading and turning the pages.

View course: David Baldacci Teaches Mystery and Thriller Writing – MasterClass

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Related reading:

• See Best Online Novel Writing Courses
• Find Top Online Creative Writing Courses​
• Discover the Top Online Creative Writing Courses for Beginners
• Check Out the Best Free Creative Writing Courses

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2. Creative Writing: An Introduction to Writing Crime Fiction – University of Cambridge, UK

The aim of this online writing course is “to provide students with an overview of crime fiction from the first detective story written by Edgar Allan Poe to recent acclaimed thrillers, to introduce students to central techniques of writing crime fiction, and to encourage students to make their own experiments with the form”.

Whether you’re interested in writing crime fiction, detective stories, psychological / spy thrillers, or mystery / suspense novels, this crime fiction course could be the one for you.

There are set course start dates and study is carried out over a duration of 7 weeks of study and feedback. Students will learn:

• A basic understanding of the origins/tradition of both narrative storytelling and the classic detective tale.
• Characterization in crime fiction
• Narrative point-of-view in crime fiction
• Dialogue in crime fiction
• Openings and endings in crime fiction

A Certificate of Participation is awarded to students who provide constructive contribution to the weekly discussions and exercises/assignments during the course.

View course: Creative Writing: An Introduction to Writing Crime Fiction – University of Cambridge

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3. Classic Detective Fiction Course FREE – FutureLearn

On this 3-week writing course, students will “delve deep into the evolution of the crime fiction genre from the early nineteenth century to the present day with a focus on detective novels”.

If you would like to develop your skills in analyzing and contextualizing crime fiction texts from the UK, US, Australia, and further afield, this course could benefit you.

The topics covered include:

• Early history of detective fiction
• Sub-genres of detective fiction
• Plots and narrative structures
• Classic detective fiction devices

This free online crime writing course can usually be started at any time and is self-paced. If there is a specific start date, it will be detailed at the website link below.

You have access to this crime fiction course for 5 weeks with no charge. There is a fee if you would like a certificate upon completion or if you would like to have access to the course materials for longer than 5 weeks.
 
So if you would like to learn more about crime fiction, check out this informative and engaging crime writing course online.

View course: Classic Detective Fiction Course FREE – FutureLearn

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4. Crime and Thriller Writing – City, University of London

During the 10 weekly classes of this crime writing short course, you will “gain a solid foundation in what makes a successful crime or thriller story and how to go about planning, plotting and writing one”.

The learning outcomes of this online crime writing course include:

• Explain what makes a crime or thriller story work.
• Craft believable characters that are engaging.
• Recognize plot twists and how to utilize them to the best effect.
• How to apply effective description in your writing.
• Tips on building tension and pace in your writing.
• How to create settings that evoke a strong sense of place.

There are set start dates for this course, and the tutor is Caroline Green who is a best-selling and award-winning author of crime fiction and YA.

View course: Crime and Thriller Writing – City, University of London

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5. Writing Crime Fiction – Professional Writing Academy

If you would like to learn the craft of writing crime fiction, improve and enhance your writing skills, and master the specific aspects of writing a compelling, page-turning short story or start of a novel, this crime fiction writing course could be the ideal option for you.

Enroll on to this course if you want to “write crime fiction and would like to broaden your palette of techniques, enjoy reading crime fiction and want to start writing it, are keen to master suspense and add intrigue to your plotlines and characterization, and would like to explore a new genre and assess your potential”.

You’ll be part of a supportive and friendly group of learners through interactive workshops to master the art of crime writing and feedback sessions. There is a requirement to dedicate 5-7 hours per week for the 4-week duration of the course.
 
The tutor is author Tom Bromley, who will show the techniques required to make your writing suspenseful, give advice on researching the crime fiction genre, and help with exploring the senses to add substance to your settings.

You can request a free taster session for this crime fiction course via the Professional Writing Academy’s Contact Us page.

View course: Writing Crime Fiction – Professional Writing Academy

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6. 101 Pulp Fiction for Absolute Beginners UK – Pulp Writer

If you’re looking for affordable crime fiction courses for beginners, this online writing course could tick all the boxes for you.

This course states “Pulp fiction is normally in the crime genre and is written fast, and read fast. This is sheer entertainment”.
 
On this 12-week course, you will:

• Find out how to train your brain to write creatively.
• Learn a step-by-step approach to turn longer stories into structured novels.
• Help with the final stages of getting the book out to your amazing readers.

This is one of the many crime writing courses in the UK, but the tutor also welcomes students from the USA and Canada.
 
View course: 101 Pulp Fiction for Absolute Beginners UK – Pulp Writer

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7. How to Write Crime – Writers Online

Enroll on to this course if you’ve wondered “How do you write crime fiction?” and you’re not sure where to start. Writers Online offer this online crime writing course to get you started, teaching the basics and offer advice on selling your book.

The course modules cover:
1. The crime fiction market
2. The ingredients of crime
3. How crime fiction works
4. Structuring your novel
5. Anatomy of a (crime) scene
6. The first chapter
7. Selling your book
8. Rules for crime writers
 
You can start the 8 modules at any time, and you complete at your own pace from anywhere with feedback and guidance from a professional writer.

You can download the free sample of module one from the website link below.
There is a discounted price for Writing Magazine subscribers.

View course: How to Write Crime – Writers Online

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8. Crime Writing Diploma – New Skills Academy

For anyone wanting to know how to write a crime novel, this course on crime writing comprises 10 interactive and wide-ranging modules covering all the aspects required to excel when writing in the crime fiction genre and making an impact with readers.

This crime writing diploma course is “ideal for those with an existing interest in the crime fiction genre, as either a reader or amateur writer, looking to master the detailed and specific skills that they need to begin a rewarding and successful writing career in this thrilling field”.

There are many areas covered, including:

• An Overview of the Crime Writing Genre and Well-Known Crime Authors
• How to Choose Your Book’s Setting, and How to Get Your Book Off to a Great Start
• Creating Thrilling Characters for Your Crime Story
• The Importance of Good Dialogue and How to Write it
• Using Description and Stylistic Devices, to Enrich Your Writing
• Creative Writing Practice and Generating Ideas in Crime Fiction
• How to Get Your Crime Novel Published
  
  

This is a self-paced course that can be accessed at any time and you will received a recognised, certified diploma.

View course: Crime Writing Diploma – New Skills Academy

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9. Crime Writing – Learndirect

Learn how to write a crime novel online with Learndirect, which is ideal for writers who have little or no experience in writing in the genre of crime fiction.

This writing course “begins with an introduction to criminology and suspense writing, walks you through the techniques of building characters, plot and dialogue. There is also a forensic dimension to it with a module on crime scenes and motives, and it ends with a practical perspective on the business of getting published”.

The modules include characters, plot and dialogue; motives and crime scenes; editing and polishing your work; and getting published.

A certificate of achievement is awarded upon completion of this online writing course.

View course: Crime Writing – Learndirect

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10. How to Write Crime Fiction – City Lit

During the 6 sessions over 6 weeks, students will learn the conventions of murder mystery; set-ups and pay-offs; how to create a compelling and believable villain; crime scene settings, red herrings and plot twists; and helping your sleuth uncover the truth. 
If you want to find out how to plot a murder mystery by applying the three-act structure, the key to creating characters that delight and intrigue your readers, and how to choose and successfully describe settings suitable to the crime fiction genre, this online crime writing course could be beneficial to you.
 
This course is intermediate level and suitable for writers with some experience of creative writing. There is a mix of group work, workshops where students discuss their writing with their tutor and other students, carrying out writing exercises, excerpt analysis, and formal instruction from the course tutor.

View course: How to Write Crime Fiction – City Lit

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Conclusion

​Learning from a professional course will advance your writing further, so taking advantage of a free writing course will enhance your motivation and confidence as well as improving your writing style and storytelling ability.
 
Also, there are additional benefits such as connecting with other writers and discussing ideas or asking for feedback and advice.

While you keep writing, learning, and developing, you’ll soon see how much a difference practice and utilizing the information from a writing course can make.