A live 12-week online programme designed to help you develop your idea or work-in-progress into a compelling psychological thriller.
Led by bestselling psychological thriller author Alex Stone, the programme takes you through the development of your own novel — from premise, characters and setting through structure, suspense, point of view, twists and endings, before moving on to revision and the journey towards publication.
Whether you’re beginning with the seed of an idea or already have a psychological thriller underway, the programme is designed to give you the structure, skills and support to move your novel forward.
The 12-Week Programme
The programme is divided into three four-week blocks, taking you from the foundations of your psychological thriller through the craft of building suspense and intrigue, to strengthening your manuscript and understanding the route towards publication.
Each block combines live teaching with practical exercises, discussion and opportunities to apply what you’re learning to your own work. Selected sessions will feature specialist guest experts, bringing real-world crime, editorial and publishing insight into the programme.
Each four-week block can also be booked independently, or you can join the complete 12-week programme.
Learn from specialist guest experts
Alongside Alex’s weekly sessions, you’ll hear directly from professionals working across crime investigation, professional editing, literary representation and publishing.
Stuart Gibbon — Former Senior Detective & Crime Consultant
Joining Week 4 for Crime, Investigation & Authenticity.
Emily Reader — Professional Editor
Joining Week 8 for Through an Editor’s Eyes.
And in Week 12, Alex will be joined for a special From Manuscript to Publication panel by:
Nicky Lovick — Literary Agent
Phoebe Morgan — Executive Publisher, Simon & Schuster UK
Emma Grundy-Haigh — Editorial Director, Boldwood Books
The live guest sessions give you the opportunity to hear directly from industry professionals and ask questions relating to your own writing and the journey towards publication.
More than a weekly class
The complete 12-week programme includes:
- 12 live Thursday evening sessions with Alex Stone
- Practical exercises and downloadable resources to apply to your own novel
- Five specialist guest experts across three dedicated sessions
- Live discussion and Q&A
- Access to the Wednesday Writers’ Hub for questions, discussion, feedback and support
- A small cohort of writers developing their work alongside you
- 12 months’ Author Events membership for non-members
Writers joining an individual block receive all four live sessions and accompanying resources for that block, together with access to the Author Events Writers’ Hub during their block.
Want to explore the full programme?
Discover exactly what we’ll cover each week, meet the guest experts, explore the three four-week blocks and find the booking option that’s right for you.
Course details
1 October – 17 December 2026
Thursdays, 7–9pm | Live online
£595 standard | £565 Author Events members
Payment plan available.
Non-member bookings include 12 months’ Author Events membership.
Places are limited.
Can’t make every week?
Don’t worry if you need to miss a session. Any week you miss can be made up when the course runs again, subject to availability. So, for example, if you miss Week 4, you’ll be invited to join Week 4 of a future intake at no extra cost.
That way, you can book the programme knowing that a holiday, illness or other commitment doesn’t mean losing a week of the course.
