Learn to write great crime with Ned Kelly Award-winning, bestselling author Candice Fox.

This course is a distilled, fortified look at the resources available to aspiring authors who want to write in the crime fiction genre. With a keen eye for inspiration in the world of true crime, and an award-winning ability to fashion characters who compel readers, Candice Fox takes students through the current market, the genre’s history, and what makes crime books work. With a no-sugar-coating approach to making money in a writing career, Candice is ready to hear ideas, lift spirits out of the rejection doldrums, and give you what you need to get your fingers racing across the keyboard.

Course Outline

Inspiration – We get creative and explore what good ideas are available, and how to pick from the masses of criminal information to find the stories that compel readers. A discussion of trends in crime fiction publishing, what’s new and noteworthy, and inspiration-gathering exercises get participants challenging themselves.

Danger zones – Don’t make others’ mistakes! What makes a great idea flop? Is it terrible execution, or trends in the market? We poke holes in some of the world’s biggest crime books, and discuss how to hook readers from the get-go. The post-#metoo minefield is a consideration, but just as dangerous to a book’s success is an author’s inability to edit their own work objectively. Candice helps you navigate the murky waters after your book is written.

Launch pad – Why this book, why now, and why you? From agents to publishers and then out into the market, your book is on a long and treacherous journey to find success. Candice answers any and all questions about finding representation, marketing yourself as an author, and getting your writing career off the ground.

When: Saturday 14 June

Time: 10am – 1pm AEST

Cost: General price $120 +$2.75BF (AUD) / Festival Friend price $100 + $2.25BF (AUD)

Where: Online via Zoom only

Event link:  You will be emailed a Zoom link a week prior to the online workshop, and again on the morning of the workshop.

Who is it for:  This course suits aspiring authors who have had a good go at writing, maybe completed a manuscript or written a substantial piece. Beginner to intermediate.

Limited Places: Workshop limited to 40, so be quick to secure your place.

About Candice Fox

Candice Fox is the author of eleven solo novels, three of which have won Australia’s prestigious Ned Kelly Award. She has multiple TV and film adaptations currently in production, with the adaptation of her bestselling Crimson Lake hitting screens as Troppo starring Thomas Jane and Nicole Chamoun in 2022. A third season of the hit show is currently in production.

​In 2015, Candice began collaborating with James Patterson. Every one of their seven novels together have been New York Times best sellers. 

​Candice lives in Sydney with her family and is a volunteer rescuer of injured wildlife.

In this two-part masterclass, renowned literary agent Alex Adsett will provide an exclusive look into the world of publishing for writers seeking publication.

This full day experience, split into two optional sessions, will cover everything an author needs to know – from copyright and publishing contracts, to agents and pitching. Learn from one of Australia’s most celebrated agents who represents literary luminaries including Melissa Lucashenko and Isobelle Carmody.

Morning session: Copyright and Publishing Contracts

Learn the copyright essentials all authors should know, and the ins and outs of what to expect from a publishing contract. What are the key things to consider before you sign on the dotted line? What rights do you have, or are giving away? Are you getting a fair royalty? And will you ever get your rights back? Publishing consultant and literary agent Alex Adsett will discuss some of the sneakier things publishers include in their contract, and how to avoid them. This behind the scenes look at the publishing industry will also provide advice on when to negotiate, and when to walk away, as well as an overview of the different publishing companies – when are they best for you, how and when to approach them, and what does everyone who works there actually do.

Afternoon session: Agents and Pitching

The second session focuses on one of the more daunting aspects of securing a publishing contract – pitching to agents and publishers.

Alex will demystify the role of the literary agent – what they do for an author, their place in the publishing industry ecosystem, and if and when you need one. Learn about the different kinds of pitches – verbal, written, accidental – and when and how to pitch. We’ll cover things like what to put into your cover letter, comparison titles, horror stories from the trenches, and the gold star examples of great pitches. This workshop will arm you with a great overview of pitching your manuscript, what not to do, and tips and tricks on how to make you and your manuscript stand out.

Participants will have the opportunity to present a 3-minute practice pitch to the room, and receive a live critique from Alex. There will be time for up to 10 pitches only. Participants will be asked to nominate themselves to be chosen at random to present.

You are then are invited to stay for networking drinks at Crystalbrook Byron after the workshop from 4:30pm – 6pm.

Workshop Details

When: Saturday June 7th 2025

Session One | Copyright and Publishing Contracts: 9:30am – 12:30pm

Lunch: 12:30pm – 1:30pm

Session Two | Intro to Agents and Pitching: 1:30pm – 4:30pm

Networking drinks: 4:30pm – 6pm

Where: In-person at Crystalbrook Byron, 77/97 Broken Head Rd, Byron Bay

Cost

All day workshop – includes lunch, tea/coffee and networking drinks 

Cost: General $324 +bf $9.59 / Festival Friend $244 +bf $7.60

Morning workshop – includes tea/coffee, optional lunch, networking drinks

Cost: General $149 + bf $4.23 / Festival Friend $109 +bf $3.23 / plus optional lunch

Afternoon workshop – tea/coffee, optional lunch, and networking drinks 

Cost: General $149 + $4.23 / Festival Friend $109 + bf $4.63 / plus optional lunch

Proudly supported by Crystalbrook Byron

About Alex Adsett

Alex Adsett is a literary agent and publishing consultant, who has been working in the publishing and bookselling industries of Australia and the UK for more than twenty five years. She has managed Alex Adsett Literary since 2008, which now includes three other agents.

As a consultant, Alex provides commercial and strategic advice to authors and publishers regarding copyright and publishing contracts. She has worked with numerous small publishers and bestselling authors to negotiate their contracts, and make sure they have the best possible deal.

As a literary agent, Alex represents more than 50 exceptional authors and illustrators, writing stories for all ages and across all genres. She represents all fiction and narrative non-fiction for all ages, from picture books to young adult to adult, with a focus on commercial and genre fiction.

Some of her authors include Melissa Lucashenko, Isobelle Carmody, Peter Greste, and Dinuka McKenzie.

She is an alumni of the Australia Council’s Arts Leaders program, and regularly speaks on copyright and publishing contracts around Australia.

More info on Alex can be found via her website www.alexadsett.com.au.

Do you want to cultivate a creative writing practice?

Feeling stuck on any current writing projects?

Or just want two hours of prompted, productive writing time to give a fresh perspective on your work?

Join award-winning American author Sarah Sentilles for two hours of inspiring and productive writing time. This workshop draws on Sarah’s expertise as an international writing teacher specialising in generative writing techniques to stimulate creativity and sharpen skills and intuition. Explore evocative concepts of transcendence, miscommunication, longing, and the power of language — all while developing your own writing projects.

Sarah will lead participants through a series of writing prompts designed to inspire and help you experiment, play, and break through blocks, habits, and writing ruts. Open to all genres and levels of experience. Everyone is welcome!

When: Friday March 21st

Time: 9am – 11am AEDT

Cost: General price $90 (AUD) / Festival Friend price $70 (AUD)

Where: Online via Zoom

We only have 40 spots available for this workshop, so be quick to secure your place.

Note: This is an online course through Zoom. You will be emailed a Zoom link a week prior to the online workshop, and again on the morning of the workshop.

Sarah Sentilles is a writer, teacher, scholar of religion, and author of many books, including Stranger Care: A Memoir of Loving What Isn’t Ours, a New York Times Editor’s Choice, and Draw Your Weapons, which won the 2018 PEN America Award for Creative Nonfiction. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and the Los Angeles Review of Books, among other publications. She’s had residencies at Hedgebrook and Yaddo. She earned a bachelor’s degree at Yale and master’s and doctoral degrees at Harvard. She is the co-founder of The Alliance of Idaho, which protects the human rights of immigrants.

Make 2025 the year you write your novel.

Join Sarah Armstrong for three terms of workshops for writers who are working on a novel. The small group (maximum of 12 participants) will meet once a week in four-week blocks, at the Byron Writers Festival office, with access via Zoom available.
The course includes weekly video lectures from Sarah on writing craft with writing exercises, as well as handouts and links to useful resources. The weekly two-hour classes include opportunities for feedback and discussion. At the end of the course, each writer will receive individual written feedback from Sarah on 3000 words.
All writers welcome – those with a work in progress or those with an idea for a novel.

Workshop Details

When: 12 x Wednesdays from 6pm – 8pm:

• Term 1: 5, 12, 19, 26 March.
• Term 2: 14, 21, 28 May and 4 June.
• Term 3: 9, 16, 23, 30 July.

Where: Hybrid format: in-person at the Byron Writers Festival office with remote attendance option available
Cost: $1100 members/$1300 non-members.

Group size: 12 participants max.

I couldn’t recommend this workshop highly enough. Sarah is one of the best teachers (of anything) I know. Her capacity to give very specific, targeted, positive and encouraging feedback makes it possible for all who attend her workshops to understand what strengths they have and how they can improve, without ever feeling despondent about their capacity to do this hard thing we call writing. She has an experienced writerly eye, combined with genuine care for her students. I mean, what more could you ask for? Kath.

Workshop Outline

Make 2025 the year you write your novel (or memoir). Join acclaimed writing teacher Sarah Armstrong for three terms of practical, encouraging workshops.

The small group (maximum of twelve participants) will meet once a week in four-week blocks, at the Byron Writers festival office, with access by Zoom available.

The course includes Sarah’s weekly video lectures on writing craft, including writing exercises, handouts and links to useful resources.

The weekly two-hour classes include opportunities for feedback and discussion.

At the end of the course, each writer will receive individual written feedback from Sarah on 3000 words.

All writers welcome – those with a work in progress or those with an idea for a novel.

First term will explore coming up with ideas, planning, how to build a first draft, and some fundamentals of fiction: character, plot, point of view, scene and summary. Sarah will also talk about how to tackle procrastination and writer’s block.

Second term will drill down into narrative tension, character development, how character drives plot, secondary characters and structure.

Third term is all about how to tackle rewriting and editing: beginnings and endings, structure and themes, and a discussion about where to go from here.

About Sarah Armstrong

Sarah Armstrong has written three adult novels, including Salt Rain which was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award. Big Magic was her first novel for readers aged 9+ and is a CBCA 2023 Notable book. Its sequel, Magic Awry, was published in 2023. Sarah is an experienced writing teacher, mentor and manuscript assessor.

Testimonial

Sarah is the most supportive, encouraging workshop mentor. Her considered and insightful feedback and inspiring prompts and exercises fostered in me a love of the free write and a way to finally get that first draft started and completed. With no pressure around daily word counts and deadlines, the first draft process became easier and unblocked. Sarah’s calm, constant presence made the whole process enjoyable and reading my own work aloud for the first time, less intimidating. The zoom participation option was an added bonus for fearful novices like myself! I had not written more than a page or two of ideas and scenes and struggled with books on structure and how to get started for years. With Sarah’s approach, I was able to embrace and commit to the craft of writing. I couldn’t have gotten started without her and may have to adopt her and my wise and funny workshop group to get the next draft finished! Lisa.