Good crime novels set up multiple layers of intrigue, a range of questions that demand answers. Check out bestselling crime author Vaseem Khan's guide to setting clues in your novel: www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/blog/how-to-...

How to set clues in your crime novel

Award-winning crime novelist Vaseem Khan shares his advice on leaving a compelling trail of clues for your reader to follow, from foreshadowing to red herrings.

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Attention memoir enthusiasts and Agatha Christie readers! We're hosting an online event with bestselling author Cathy Rentzenbrink! We'll discuss Cathy's new memoir #TheAgathaChristieCure and her approach writing from real life. Join us on 22 Oct, 7-8pm. £12 (free for our members):

In Conversation with Cathy Rentzenbrink

During this 60-minute Q&A, Cathy Rentzenbrink will discuss the inspiration behind her life-affirming new memoir The Agatha Christie Cure and her approach to the craft of life-writing.

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'Love, death, parental guilt, the desire to make something of ourselves: these situations ring with every generation . . . This is also why I’m so drawn to fairytales as a writer. How do you tell a timeless tale?' Interview with award-winning author Kirsty Logan:

Kirsty Logan on writing | Author interview

We caught up with award-winning author Kirsty Logan to discuss what first sparked her love for the strange and uncanny, reimagining fairytales and folktales, the inspiration behind her witchy novel…

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I love working with new authors on this @cbcreative.bsky.social programme, and on its other courses. It's a privilege to watch students grow into accomplished storytellers. FYI, the next Writing A Psychological Thriller course starts on October 15, so hurry to secure your place! shorturl.at/Z3QP3

Curtis Brown Creative@cbcreative.bsky.social · 2w ago

Michelle Davies: 'Embrace the fact that editing is where the magic happens' 🪄 We spoke to author, editor & mentor on our Complete Your Manuscript programme @michelledavies14.bsky.social about her love for crime fiction, her writing routine & what she enjoys most about working with aspiring authors.

Our advanced online Writing TV Drama course comprises lively masterclasses, workshops and tutorials from screenwriter and producer Jamie Nuttgens. Plus masterclasses with top screenwriters, showrunners, producers and agents. Apply by 2 Nov: www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/course/writi...

'Own and trust your unique writing process' ✍️ Former CBC student and thriller writer Leah Pitt shares her advice on how to approach writing your second novel, with insights from her second novel #TheFunfair.

How to approach writing your second novel

Thriller author Leah Pitt studied on our online Writing Your Novel – Three Months course in 2021. Here she draws on her experience of writing her second novel to provide some tips for writers…

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Write a twisty, suspenseful thriller that readers won’t be able to put down on our six-week online Writing a Psychological Thriller course with bestselling novelist @mserinkelly.bsky.social! Course starts next Thurs, enrol now: www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/course/writi...

'The opening scene of your pilot is your contract with the viewer. In other words, it makes a promise to them about what they’ll be getting in this drama.' Acclaimed TV dramatist and showrunner Colin Teevan shares six tips to help you write a gripping opening to your drama pilot 📺

How to write a great opening to a TV drama pilot

Acclaimed TV dramatist and showrunner Colin Teevan shares six tips to help you write gripping opening to your drama pilot. The opening scene of your pilot is your contract with the viewer. It should…

curtisbrowncreative.co.uk

Last chance to join @vaseemkhanuk.bsky.social for Writing Crime Fiction! Across six weeks, you’ll learn how to: 🔎 Create memorable detectives 🔎 Write suspenseful investigations . . . and more to make your story more real for the reader! Enrol now: www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/course/writi...

'I believe that many successful thrillers derive much of their tension from their setting' ✒️ Former CBC student and author of #TheThingsWeDoToOurFriends Heather Darwent shares her advice on how to build narrative suspense in your writing, with insights from her second novel #ASharpScratch.

How to build narrative suspense

CBC alumna Heather Darwent shares her advice on how to build narrative suspense in your writing.

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There's still time to apply for our Writing TV Drama – Three Months course! 🎬 Work on your original TV drama with insights from industry professionals and teaching from experienced screenwriter, producer & director Jamie Nuttgens. Apply by 2 Nov:

Writing TV Drama – Three Months

Our elite TV screenwriting course, featuring advice from top TV professionals and Curtis Brown agents.

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It's officially spooky season! Learn how to write the strange and make the uncanny feel real on our six-week online Writing Gothic & Supernatural Fiction course with award-winning author Kirsty Logan! 🌙 Course starts next Thurs, enrol now: www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/course/writi...

‘If a reader wants to follow a character, to find out what they are trying to discover, or hide, then the clues become a seamless and satisfying part of the story.' 📰🔍 We spoke to former student Alys Cummings about her debut #MurderMostCryptic: www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/blog/alys-cu...

'If you’re serious about your writing you need to find time every day to read, write or edit' 📝 Crime novelist @vaseemkhanuk.bsky.social shares the book he thinks every crime writer should read & what students should expect from his Writing Crime Fiction course.

Vaseem Khan: 'If you’re serious about your writing you need to find time every day to read, write or edit'

Award-winning crime novelist Vaseem Khan shares his wisdom. Learn from his writing routine and discover what book every budding crime writer should read.

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Our November Writing Your Novel courses are open for applications! 🖊️ Make your story shine on our online or in-person flagship courses with expert teaching from acclaimed authors, leading literary agents and top publishers. Find out more:

Writing Your Novel | Courses Online & in London

Make real progress with your novel and take your writing to the next level on our flagship three- and six-month Writing Your Novel courses. Learn from top authors, literary agents and published.…

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'Don’t over-describe or use esoteric vocabulary – less is more' 📖 Former student and psychological thriller writer Liz Webb explores the writing techniques you should use to build a memorable and atmospheric setting, with examples from her latest novel #TheSaved. Read the full advice blog:

How to create atmospheric settings

Thriller author Liz Webb reveals how she create atmospheric settings that serve the style and tone of her novels.

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Help us spread the word. Applications are currently open for two Breakthrough Writers’ Programme opportunities. Details below!

Breakthrough Writers' Programme

Free scholarships, courses and mentoring opportunities for under-represented writers.

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Travel to the past and explore what makes a compelling historical novel on our Writing Historical Fiction course! @stephmerritt.bsky.social will equip you with the tools to research your story & bring your historical moment to life 📜 Starts this Thurs: www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/course/writi...

'Place isn’t just an arbitrary pin in a map: it’s integral to the narrative' 📌 We caught up with award-winning author and CBC tutor Kirsty Logan to discuss what first sparked her love for the uncanny and what she enjoys most about teaching creative writing. Read the full advice blog here:

Kirsty Logan on writing | Author interview

We caught up with award-winning author Kirsty Logan to discuss what first sparked her love for the strange and uncanny, reimagining fairytales and folktales, the inspiration behind her witchy novel…

curtisbrowncreative.co.uk

Last chance to join Writing Fiction with Kate Mosse! Join Founder Director of @womensprize.bsky.social and historical author @katemossewriter.bsky.social on our five-week course and bring your passion to the page. Course starts this Thurs, enrol now: www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/course/writi...

Last chance to join our Writing a Romance Novel course! 💓 Learn how to write a swoon-worthy love story with teaching videos, notes and writing tasks from bestselling author, @jennycolgan.bsky.social. Starts this Thurs. Enrol now: www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/course/writi...

'Immerse yourself in all that you can find about your chosen time period' 🕰️ Former student and author of #TheSecondSightofZacharyCloudesley @seanluskauthor.bsky.social shares his four tips for writing historical fiction. Read full advice blog:

4 tips for writing historical fiction | Sean Lusk

Historical fiction author Sean Lusk on his research for The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley. Advice for writing historical fiction – how to swim (but not drown!) in the currents of the past.

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'It’s possible to keep your work-in-progress evolving without being seated in front of a screen' 💻️ Former CBC student and YA & children's author Tasha Harrison @dotdashtash.bsky.social shares her advice for working on your novel away from the screen.

How to develop your novel while taking a screen break

In this blog Tasha Harrison, freelance editor and author of Clementine Florentine and The Thing About Lemons, shares her advice for working on your novel away from the screen.

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Calling all writers, Agatha Christie readers and memoir enthusiasts! We're delighted to be hosting an event with Sunday Times bestselling author Cathy Rentzenbrink to discuss her new memoir #TheAgathaChristieCure and her approach to the craft of life-writing. Get your £12 ticket:

In Conversation with Cathy Rentzenbrink

During this 60-minute Q&A, Cathy Rentzenbrink will discuss the inspiration behind her life-affirming new memoir The Agatha Christie Cure and her approach to the craft of life-writing.

curtisbrowncreative.co.uk

Kate Foster: 'Historical characters start to come to life when you imagine them as real people' ✨ We spoke to acclaimed author & tutor of our Writing Historical Fiction – Advanced course, Kate Foster about her advice for balancing fact with fiction & her favourite historical fiction novels.

Kate Foster: 'Historical characters start to come to life when you imagine them as real people'

We spoke to Kate Foster, tutor of our brand-new Writing Historical Fiction – Advanced course, about her advice for balancing fact with fiction and her favourite historical fiction novels.

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So, you've finished your manuscript and are eager to share your work with literary agents. How do you write the perfect pitch letter to a literary agent? 🤔 Here are CBC founder Anna Davis' top tips on how to make your submission pitch letter stand out from the pack:

How to write the perfect pitch letter to an agent

How do you write the perfect pitch-letter to a literary agent? Follow our 15 top tips on how to make your letter stand out from the pack.

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We can’t wait for next week’s event for our Writing Studio members! On Weds 7 Oct, 1-2pm (UK time) CBC's founder Anna Davis will talk to bestselling author @lucyrosecreates.bsky.social about her debut folk horror novel The Lamb and her writing process. Become a member to join us:

The Writing Studio | Membership for writers - Curtis Brown Creative

Welcome to The Writing Studio, your monthly membership grants you access to our supportive online community, regular live events – plus a library of resources and videos.

curtisbrowncreative.co.uk

Travel to the past and explore what makes a compelling historical novel on our Writing Historical Fiction course! @stephmerritt.bsky.social will equip you with the tools to research your story & bring your historical moment to life 📜 Starts next Thurs: www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/course/writi...

Join us on Thurs 22 Oct, 7-8pm (UK time), for a special online event with Cathy Rentzenbrink. We'll discuss the inspiration behind her life-affirming new memoir The Agatha Christie Cure and offer insights into her writing process, including how to turn life experiences into a compelling narrative.

In Conversation with Cathy Rentzenbrink

During this 60-minute Q&A, Cathy Rentzenbrink will discuss the inspiration behind her life-affirming new memoir The Agatha Christie Cure and her approach to the craft of life-writing.

curtisbrowncreative.co.uk

Michelle Davies: 'Embrace the fact that editing is where the magic happens' 🪄 We spoke to author, editor & mentor on our Complete Your Manuscript programme @michelledavies14.bsky.social about her love for crime fiction, her writing routine & what she enjoys most about working with aspiring authors.

Michelle Davies on editing a manuscript

In this interview Michelle Davies, author, editor and mentor on our Complete Your Manuscript programme, shares her editing process.

curtisbrowncreative.co.uk