Mystery Writing Workshop
What’s Included
28 Video Lectures
Over 5 hours of focused instruction covering every stage of the novel-writing process.
Personal Feedback from Steve
Post your writing in the discussion areas and get direct feedback from Steve Alcorn, not a TA, not a bot. Steve reads every post and responds personally.
Manuscript Evaluation Checklist
The same 25-point checklist Steve’s students use to evaluate protagonist, story structure, plot, and writing quality.
What You’ll Learn
Plan Your Mystery
Learn the essential elements of mystery fiction: the crime, the detective, the suspects, and the clues. Build a premise that hooks readers from page one.
Create Your Detective
Build a protagonist readers want to follow, with real motivation, distinctive methods, and enough flaws to be human. Plus a supporting cast of suspects.
Structure Your Plot
Master the mystery plot structure: planting clues, laying red herrings, building suspense, and delivering a twist that plays fair with the reader.
Write Your Manuscript
Scene and sequel, pacing, dialogue, viewpoint, and the art of revealing information at exactly the right moment to keep readers guessing.
Polish Your Manuscript
The “Write Big” and “Write Well” techniques that turn a flat draft into a sparkling, publishable manuscript.
Get Published
Collateral materials, platform building, the pros and cons of agents vs. self-publishing, and how to get publishers to say yes to your mystery.
What Students Say
Jason
Anna
Kim
Darcy
Jeffrey
Michelle A.
Enroll Today
Buy This Course
- Lifetime access to all 28 video lectures
- 28 discussion areas with personal feedback from Steve
- Downloadable handouts and exercises
- Manuscript Evaluation Checklist
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Get All 20 Courses
- Everything in Mystery Writing Workshop, PLUS
- 19 additional courses across every genre
- Story structure, scene craft, editing, screenwriting, publishing
- Over $3,000 worth of courses
- Personal feedback from Steve on every course
- Cancel anytime
Your Instructor
Steve Alcorn is a USA Today best-selling author of 29 books including mysteries, young adult novels, children’s books, and the acclaimed writer’s guide Mystery Writing: From First Clue to Final Twist. He founded Alcorn McBride Inc., the company behind the audio and video systems in nearly every major theme park in the world. For over 25 years, he has taught more than 100,000 aspiring authors how to structure their stories and get published.
The Companion Book
📚 Want a reference you can keep on your desk? Mystery Writing: From First Clue to Final Twist is the companion to this course, covering the same material in a format you can keep on your desk and reference anytime. Available on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.
Steve’s Writing Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course for?
Anyone who wants to write a novel, whether you’re just starting, stuck in the middle, or revising a finished draft. No experience required.
How long do I have access?
If you purchase the course, you own it for life. If you subscribe to the bundle, you have access to all of our courses for the duration of your subscription.
Do I really get personal feedback?
Yes. Every lesson has a discussion area. Post your work and Steve responds personally, usually within hours.
What if I’m not happy?
30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. If the course isn’t right for you, you get a full refund.
Can I just get this one course?
Yes. Enroll above for lifetime access to this course. Or, if you want all 20 Writing Academy courses, the Author’s Success Bundle gives you everything for one low monthly fee.
Enroll Today
Buy This Course
- Lifetime access to all 28 video lectures
- 28 discussion areas with personal feedback from Steve
- Downloadable handouts and exercises
- Manuscript Evaluation Checklist
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Get All 20 Courses
- Everything in Mystery Writing Workshop, PLUS
- 19 additional courses across every genre
- Story structure, scene craft, editing, screenwriting, publishing
- Over $3,000 worth of courses
- Personal feedback from Steve on every course
- Cancel anytime
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