Crime Fiction Advice for Authors
I am a former detective and now a crime fiction and police advisor to authors and TV writers as well as a Sunday Times best selling crime writer.
If you are a crime writer, be it crime fiction, non-fiction, on-line material or TV drama we are here for you. My team of experts and I can help you create stunningly authentic plots, police officers and scenes to make your narrative sizzle and keep critics from your door.
Graham Bartlett - Author
Our Services
We provide one-to-one advice on plot, characters, storyline, even in creating authentic settings. That can be through in-person meetings, Zoom or phone consultations, or via email.
Whether you want us to answer specific questions, discuss your ideas, provide suggestions or undertake full or part manuscript reviews, we have all the knowledge you’ll need, in one place.
Online Courses
Whether you’re writing police procedural crime fiction, thrillers or psychological suspense novels, you need to feel confident about the authenticity and accuracy of the legal policies and procedures that underpin your plot and character choices. I’ve joined forces with the Professional Writing Academy to develop a series of online one-day workshops and short courses to help you master the procedure and write more gripping crime stories.
Events
It’s great to be back on the road at live events up and down the country. Be it book festivals, author talks, signings or workshops it would be great to see you to any that you can get to. Please see the full forthcoming programme below and sign up to the newsletter to be the first to hear about them.
SIGN UP TO MY NEWSLETTER
I’ll be regularly writing out with thrilling news regarding my books, courses, titbits and anything else that might help you be the best crime fiction writer you can be. Interested? Sign up here and receive more Bartlett’s Bloopers as a thank you!
Manuscript review for Crime Fiction writers
The full manuscript review is my speciality. I painstakingly go through your entire novel/ script – or part of it – picking out police procedure, cultural or character flaws and suggest simple solutions that chime with your story. I’ll also spot those minor glitches you didn’t know you didn’t know!
You’ll be totally assured that your crime novel will be as authentic as possible keeping your story and cast at the centre. You will receive a fully annotated manuscript, a covering report and, of course, access to me for any further queries.
In addition to reviewing your manuscript for procedural accuracy, I can also refer you to literary editors who are available (at separate cost) to help you develop your plot, structure, characters and writing. Rebecca Millar is a freelance editor who specialises in crime fiction and has an impressive back-catalogue of Best Sellers by authors such as Gilly McMillan, Heidi Perks and Simon McCleave. Read more about Rebecca HERE.
Cost Up to £800 (80k to 100k word manuscript)
Bespoke Enquiries for Crime Fiction Authors
If you have specific questions – or just want to discuss ideas – to discover how police investigate crimes such as murder, kidnap, terrorism and anything else, what a detective would do at a crime scene, how police are structured or how forensics work, for example, then why not opt for my one-to one service.
This is over the phone, Zoom, face to face or via email. Again, you will receive a constructive reply with suggestions on how to use the police procedure and authentic police characters to enhance your story.
Cost – £60 per hour
Testimonials
Graham has been a pivotal element to the success of my Roy Grace novels. He applies his extensive and varied policing experience to ensure they are procedurally 100% accurate, that the mannerisms, characteristics and culture of the police shine through. He is always huge fun to work with and has an extremely creative and inventive mind.
International No. 1 bestselling author of the Detective Superintendent Roy Grace Novels. 15 Sunday Times No1’s and global book sales of over 20 million copies to date, translated into 37 languages.
Much loved international best seller of the hugely successful DI Tom Thorne novels, and numerous standalone thrillers.
Multi million sold author of Knight & Culverhouse, Kempston Hardwick Mysteries and dozens more Psychological thrillers. One of the most successful independently published authors in the world, and one of the biggest selling authors of the past few years, having sold books in over 120 different countries. Co-host of Partners in Crime Podcast
Graham’s editorial services add vital authenticity to the writing process. He is incredibly knowledgeable, helpful and professional – able to chat around plots to ensure they stay faithful to both the author’s vision and police procedures. I’m hugely grateful for his help.
Author or Richard and Judy Bookclub Best Seller, The Colour of Bee Larkham’s Murder
Sara Carroll
Debut novelist
Bartlett's Bloopers
Read my top ten faux pas that crop up in crime fiction or TV drama!
