Course on writing crime fiction

A NEW course on how to write crime fiction will begin in Aylsham on Monday, March 1, run by the Norfolk crime novelist, Kelvin Jones. The course is aimed at budding fiction writers.

Mr Jones, who lives in West Rudham, has always sustained an interest in crime writing and is the author of three crime novels, featuring the Cornish detective John Bottrell. For four years he was a creative writing tutor for the University of East Anglia, where taught courses on writing crime fiction and ghost and horror fiction. He is the author of The Sherlock Holmes Murder File, is an authority on the life and works of the creator of Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle, and published a biography of the crime writer some years ago. He has given talks both to the Cromer Society, and at the Norwich Millenium Library on writing crime and gothic fiction, explaining how the two genres are closely linked and has run many courses on creative writing in Norfolk. Last year he edited and published a successful collection of short stories by an Aylsham writing group, entitled The Meeting House.

Kelvin is also the author of six books about Conan Doyle's creation, Sherlock Holmes, and two childrens' novels, the latest of which, "The Dark Entry", co authored with his wife Debbie, is a gripping thriller set in Norwich concerning a medieval sorcerer.

The new eight-week course on how to write crime fiction is aimed at anyone who has an interest in the crime novel and absolutely no experience is required. It will teach students how to construct a crime novel, from start to finish, how to invent your detective and villains and it will also include useful and practical tips on marketing your crime novel. The course will be held at the Friends Meeting House in Aylsham.

Further details of this new course can be obtained by e-mailing the tutor at cunningman@hotmail.co.uk or by phoning 07976507954.