Killer Fiction: Mysteries, Thrillers, and Horror Workshop

Mysteries, thrillers, and horror stories trace back to the dawn of storytelling, and they’ve never been more popular.

This workshop explores the psychological and narrative techniques that make these stories so compelling, with a focus on creating suspense and dread that builds from page to page.

We will study Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare, a contemporary horror novel, and The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, a masterclass in psychological suspense.

We’ll examine how setting, character, pacing, and plot twists work across these genres, drawing insights from craft guides like Save the Cat! , experts like Robert McKee, and even Aristotle’s Poetics .

Each student will workshop a story or chapter of up to 5,000 words and receive detailed feedback from peers and instructors.

Students will leave with a project outline, practical exercises to keep moving, and guidance on how to query agents.

You’ll craft pages so gripping they’ll keep readers turning past their bedtime—and maybe even linger in their dreams.