When you’re writing a short story, you’re like a boxer. No matter what your style, you have to get in that ring and start punching straight away.

Crime fiction is the most popular genre in the UK. And, as far as I’m concerned, the best. But I would say that because I’m Martyn Waites, and I’m an award-winning, bestselling crime writer. From March, I’ll be running an eight-week short story writing course concentrating on crime fiction through Raw Writing. So what’s the difference between writing a crime novel and writing a crime short story? And what makes short stories so compelling? Come along and find out. It’s the genre that’s most engaged with the society we live in, and how we behave with each other when we think we can get away with things. Even murder. In fact, especially murder. And the short story is great way to get into it.

Whether you’re a fan of the grim and gritty contemporary urban crime novel, such as Mark Billingham or Joe Thomas, the spy story from the likes of Mick Herron, historical crime fiction from writers such as Laura Shepherd Robinson and Abir Mukherjee, or anything else in-between, this is the course for you.

Over eight weeks, you’ll read and write short stories that demonstrate the breadth and depth of the crime genre to explore everything from personal identity to murder (of course) to how many Santas are too many. We’ll look at everything from building character, creating atmosphere, coming up with a killer (excuse the pun) hook, and also how to build great twists into your stories. By the end of the course, you’ll have everything you’ll need to craft cracking crime stories of your own.

The course will include two workshopping sessions where you’ll be given feedback from myselfand the rest of the attendees, and you will also give feedback on their short stories. Guidance and support will be given on how to do this.

You’ll be expected to do a lot of reading and writing in between sessions, and a full course outline and reading list will be sent once you’ve signed up. Places are limited to eight so everyone (and their stories) can be given the most attention.

Free entry into the Raw Writing Short Story competition (worth £25) when you sign up for this course! The deadline for the Raw Writing Short Story competition is September 2026, the word count is 2000 maximum, and the prize will be a mentoring package (six sessions) with a published writer, a place on a six-month Raw Writing course, and publication in the Raw Writing Anthology.

Session Dates

Tuesdays, 7pm – 8.30pm

• Tue 10 Mar
• Tue 17 Mar
• Tue 24 Mar
• Tue 14 Apr
• Tue 21 Apr
• Tue 28 Apr
• Tue 05 May
• Tue 12 May

Please email Carla at carla@rawwriting.co.uk if you have any questions before booking or call or message her on 07474 116771

www.rawwriting.co.uk

Venue: Meeting Room, Exeter Phoenix

*Subject to a £1.50 ticketing system charge. We don’t charge this to make a profit. Find out more >>