How to start writing true crime
This course will immerse you in the world of true crime. Led by Sonia Falerio (The Good Girls, 2021), you'll explore how TV, film, podcasts, newspapers, and novels showcase true crime stories. Over 4 modules you will:
- Read, listen and watch numerous true crime stories to discover what makes a compelling true crime narrative
- Learn how the local culture of the story can impact your narration and appeal to a diverse and international audience.
- Think of the real people in your story as a cast of characters, and learn how to bring them to life in writing.
- Put your research skills to the test and learn about the importance of fact in a true crime story.
By the end of this course you will have the tools you need to write the first chapter of a longer piece of crime fiction.
How long does it take?
As a self-paced course it's up to you how quickly you progress through the material. You can binge it in a weekend or dip in and out alongside your work in progress.
How does it work?
Our courses can be accessed on your desktop Mac or PC , laptop, tablet or mobile. All you need is a web browser. You don't need to install any additional software.
When does it start?
Right now! This is a self-paced online course - you decide when you start and can go through it at any speed. You have unlimited access to the course so can return for a refresher at any time. What are you waiting for?
Example Curriculum
Meet your tutor - Sonia Faleiro
Sonia Faleiro is the author of The Good Girls: An Ordinary Killing and Beautiful Thing: Inside the Secret World of Bombay’s Dance Bars, which was named a book of the year by the Guardian, Observer, Sunday Times, Economist, NPR and Time Out.
Her writing has received support from the Pulitzer Centre, The Investigative Fund, The Society of Authors Foundation’ and K Blundell Trust, and The Royal Literary Fund. Her work appears in The New York Times, The Financial Times, Harper’s, Granta, 1843, The California Sunday Magazine, and MIT Technology Review.
Sonia is the founder of the literary mentorship program South Asia Speaks and the co-founder of Deca, a global cooperative of award-winning journalists. In April 2021, she created Artists for India, an author-led initiative to raise funds for India during the covid crisis.
Want to learn more?
NCW Academy has a growing range of self-paced courses to help you develop your writing. Learn how to write real people with Katy Massey, craft a novel filled with suspense with bestselling crime fiction author Claire McGowan, or develop writing habits to keep you writing with Benjamin Johncock.
Image Sources
Banner Image - Andi Sapey for NCW Academy
Woman Reading - Andi Sapey for NCW Academy
Sand Timer - Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
Woman Typing - Andi Sapey for NCW Academy
Man on Running Track - Braden Collum on Unsplash