Writing Workshops

Criminal Minds: How to Craft Compelling Psychological Suspense with Alison Gaylin

$150

3 Sessions

Out of stock

Friday - Sunday 2:00 pm EDT - 4:00 pm EDT October 22 to October 24, 2021

Online via Zoom

norbert-kundrak-LJcB7n2F3UQ-unsplash-1600x1044

Some of the most evocative, page-turning and best-selling crime fiction in the past few years has been psychological suspense — that subsection of the genre in which the real horror and threat arises, not from some unseen outside force, but from within the home and the mind of the protagonist. This course will examine all the elements of successful psychological suspense: a compelling and original (if not always reliable) narrator, complicated (or flawed) realistic characters and relationships, effective pacing, and visceral description.

Levels: Intermediate, Advanced
Capacity: 20

Led by

Alison Gaylin

Alison Gaylin

USA Today and international bestselling author Alison Gaylin has won the Edgar, and Shamus awards. Her work has been published in the US, UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Japan, Germany, Romania and Denmark, and she has been nominated for the Macavity, Anthony, ITW Thriller and Strand Book Award. In addition to her novels, she has published numerous short stories and collaborated with Megan Abbott on the graphic novel Normandy Gold (Titan/Hard Case Crime, 2018). Her twelfth book, The Collective, will be out from William Morrow on November 2nd.

By Alison Gaylin

.

The Collective

By Alison Gaylin

Published by William Morrow

PURCHASE

Camille Gardner is a grieving—and angry—mother who, five years after her daughter’s death, is still obsessed with the privileged young man she believes to be responsible.

When her rash actions draw the attention of a secret group of women—the collective— Camille is drawn into a dark web where these mothers share their wildly different stories of loss as well as their desire for justice in a world where privilege denies accountability. Fueled by mutual rage, the collective members devise and act out retribution fantasies via precise, anonymous, highly coordinated revenge killings.

As Camille struggles to comprehend whether this is a role-playing exercise or terrifying reality, she must decide if these women are truly avenging angels or monsters. Becoming more deeply enmeshed in the group, Camille learns truths about the collective—and about herself—that she may not be able to survive

About this series

Writing Workshops

We strive to make our classes the most inviting and rewarding available, offering an intimate environment to study with award-winning, world-class writers. Each class is specially designed by the instructor, so whether you’re a fledgling writer or an MFA graduate polishing your novel, you’ll find a perfect fit here.

Groups+Workshops

More Groups+Workshops

Groups+Workshops