Ramona Emerson’s crime series with forensic photographer Rita Todacheene has captured the hearts and imaginations of readers. In this masterclass, Ramona will outline the keys to her success from finding the hook for her hero, blending genres of crime and the supernatural, and how her background in media arts brought a unique imagery to her […]
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This masterclass will explore how to research and investigate a true crime story. France’s leading true crime journalist and authors of The Alice Crimmins Case, Anaïs Renevier, will share her approaches on investigating true crime, from cold cases to recent crimes, drawing on the case studies featured in her books. She will cover a range […]
Plot twists are some of the most exciting moments in storytelling, but pulling them off successfully takes careful planning and strategy. Over the years, bestselling British crime writer, Jane Corry, has honed the art of crafting twists that leave readers gasping and eagerly turning pages. In this class, Corry will guide you through the process […]
Every great story pulses with tension. It propels readers forward, keeping them on the edge of their seats, eager to find out what happens next. Learn from master storyteller Denise Mina the essential techniques for introducing and maintaining tension, while mastering the art of pacing to captivate your audience from beginning to end. MOTIVE’s Creative […]
Calling aspiring authors! Join our panel of experts from across the publishing industry in Canada, UK and the US, for a conversation filled with insights and advice from these who have the hard-won knowledge and experience of successfully getting a book from idea to print to reader. Get valuable tips and tricks on effectively pitching […]
What happens when a crime writer turns to love—and a romance writer turns to murder? Join bestselling authors Hannah Mary McKinnon and Uzma Jalaluddin as they cross genre lines in unexpected (and wildly entertaining) ways. McKinnon, known for her twisty psychological thrillers, is capturing hearts with her romance novels written as Holly Cassidy. Meanwhile, Jalaluddin, […]
Moderated by Jass Aujla (author of Next Of Twin and Regional Director for Crime Writers of Canada), and joined by panelists C. Fitton (author of Her Dead Boyfriend), Alexis Stefanovich-Thomson (author of The Road to Heaven), Steve Urszenyi (author of Perfect Shot), and Angela Van Breemen (author of Past Life’s Revenge), hear first-hand from debut […]
Red herrings. Hard-boiled loners. Remote mansions, closed circles, final twists. Mystery fiction is full of familiar setups – but it’s what writers and publishers do with those tropes that keeps readers hooked. We bring together three experts, Globe and Mail crime and mystery reviewer Margaret Cannon, Orenda Books publisher Karen Sullivan and bestselling author Gregg […]
From bumbling amateur sleuths and wisecracking sidekicks to farcical mishaps and perfectly timed one-liners, comedy has long had a home in the mystery genre. In this entertaining panel, authors Jonathan Whitelaw, Catherine Mack and Sue Hincenbergs dive into the art of writing crime fiction that’s as funny as it is suspenseful. They’ll discuss the delicate […]
The wonderful thing about the world is how unique each of us is and yet how much we share. In this masterclass, Maureen Jennings, author of over 13 novels and creator of the Canadian icon Murdoch Mysteries, will take you through a series of exercises that will connect you with your own individual voice. Discovery […]
You have a great story, maybe something you published in a magazine or a newspaper. But how can you turn that into a book? A book is not just a much longer version of what you have already written, it’s a different beast altogether. This workshop with Julian Sher, investigative journalist and author of nine […]
