Writing A Thriller with J.P. Pomare

Everything you need to know about crafting unputdownable fiction

Join bestselling author J.P. Pomare in this unique writing course all about crafting an unputdownable fiction thriller.

Whether you want to write about a court case, a tense domestic environment or a rural crime, framing your story as a thriller will keep the narrative tight and readers turning the page. But thrillers still require the other elements of great fiction – complex characters, snappy dialogue and well-crafted prose – while writers must maintain their focus on plot and structure to keep readers engaged.

Through a series of writing exercises and insights into the genre, this workshop will teach you how to complete and redraft a thriller manuscript with an eye for publication. Using examples from bestsellers in the genre, we will take a forensic view of structural elements (including point of view, setting, and narrative structure) as well as plot to examine how these elements work together to set up big twists and keep the reader hooked until the last page.

The course is designed to take you 5-6 hours in total, and can be completed in short stages at your convenience. Scroll down to see the full course curriculum and a list of frequently asked questions.

"Highly recommend this course for writing thrillers. Loved learning about how to build a character with flaws and how to leave hints for the reader as to how they got them."

"A first class workshop full of gold nuggets for writers who want to take their current work to the next level. I came away inspired and now feel ready to finish the novel I have been working on for years."

"Writing a Thriller was an informative, easy to follow course. I enjoyed consolidating the basic knowledge of fiction writing I already had and adding new concepts particular to the thriller genre."

"This course was incredibly well presented and the exercises were practical and easily able to be applied to my current work which has helped me immensely."

"This course covered lots of key elements to help develop your writing craft as well as inspirational ideas to help make your thriller work better."


KYD Members receive a 10% discount on this course and all other KYD online courses throughout the year. Become a member here, or contact [email protected] for more information.

Want to buy a course for a friend? Purchase a gift voucher here.


Your Instructor


J.P. Pomare
J.P. Pomare

J.P. Pomare is a New Zealand-born, Melbourne-based bestselling author of the psychological suspense novels Call Me Evie and In the Clearing. He has also hosted the literary podcast, On Writing, for the past four years, interviewing Australian and international authors. His work has been published in journals including Meanjin, Kill Your Darlings, Takahe and Mascara Literary Review. His first novel, Call Me Evie, was critically acclaimed and won the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best First Novel.


Course Curriculum


  Welcome to Writing A Thriller!
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  What Kind Of Thriller Do You Want To Write?
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  Characters In Thrillers
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Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish. We encourage you to approach this material not just as lessons to be finished once and for all, but also as a collection of resources to which you can return time and again.
How long do I have access to the course?
Forever! After enrolling, you have unlimited lifetime access to this course - across any and all devices you own.
Does the teacher provide feedback?
No. If you are interested in receiving feedback on your project, we encourage you to check out KYD's Manuscript Assessment Service: https://killyourdarlings.com.au/shop/manuscript-assessments/
How do I access my course?
All our online workshops are hosted at workshops.killyourdarlings.com.au, via the Teachable platform. You can access your workshop by logging in at that link, or by following the link in your welcome email when you enrol. Please note that as the Teachable platform is a separate website to KYD you will need to create a new account, and will not be able to use your KYD login details.
I'm a KYD member. How do I receive my 10% discount?
Click on 'Enrol in course for $169'. Enter the coupon code that was emailed to you when you became a KYD member at checkout, underneath the tutor's photo.
What if I have another question?
You can email us at [email protected] and we'll be happy to help!

Get started now!