AI is transforming the way we work, create, and connect. But what does that mean for crime writing?
Whether you’re curious about AI’s impact on storytelling, business, or everyday life, this talk is for you!

Join Once Upon a Crime for our monthly chapter meeting, featuring crime writer and tech expert Stella Oni, as she explores the fascinating world of AI and its influence on creativity and crime fiction.

This event is open to all—writers, readers, and the simply curious! Come along, delve into the world of AI, and discover our vibrant crime writing community.

📅 27th March, 2025 7 p.m.
📍 Online! Open to writers, readers & the curious!
🔗 Sign up here: https://bit.ly/4izcc6Y

Join us for an insightful session with Emma Grundy Haigh, Commissioning Editor at Avon Books, as she explores the different routes to getting published.

Avon Books, a commercial fiction division of HarperCollins, specializes in crime, thrillers, suspense, feel-good fiction, and historical fiction.

With a wealth of industry experience, Emma has edited award-winning crime fiction, champions underrepresented voices, and was shortlisted for Editor of the Year at the British Book Awards.

Drawing from her extensive work with a diverse range of authors, Emma will share valuable insights into the publishing process and what it takes to break into the industry.

Date: Wednesday, 26 February
Time: 7 PM (UK Time)

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert advice on your publishing journey!

Sign up link – http://bit.ly/43f9TBn

On 30th October we will be joined Mark Leslie Lefebvre, Director of Business Development at Draft2Digital who will be talking with us about the benefits of publishing with Draft2Digital.

Even if you’re traditionally published there is bound to be lots to learn about the process from the world leader in the publishing sphere.

*Note the presentation will begin at 7:15pm and concludes at 8pm*

*Only members of Once Upon A Crime will have access to the recording.*

Time: Oct 30, 2024 07:00 PM

Registration: https://sistersincrime-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIlfuGsrzooEtQ_xoLun6BCtDE-6WKGNPpe

Date: 26th June 2024 at 7pm

We’re delighted to welcome Claire Wilson, a fellow crime author and intelligence analyst in the prison service. Claire is going to share her story with us, what led her to start writing, and how her job as a prison analyst inspires her narratives. 

This event is open to the public. Please register using the link below: https://sistersincrime-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwlc-6sqT8pHN041o_GsNaDsqdPGIuoD67i 

Your victim is dead and your sleuth suspects poison. How do they prove murder and who did it?

In this FREE presentation brought to you by the UK/EU Sisters in Crime Chapter, Once Upon A Crime, Dr. Kerry Cathers talks about how to start investigating a poisoning, how to gather evidence, and what your sleuth will need to do to prove murder. Essential for all crime and cozy mystery authors!

Monday 20 February at 7:30pm (UK time) on Zoom.

Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3xG5l5G

Once Upon A Crime is participating in Nanowrimo! What is Nanowrimo, you may ask? It’s an initiative where authors get together to write 50,000 words in one month. The idea is not to edit, but to write through to the end to create a first draft. If you’d like to find out more, you can explore the website here.

We’ve got off to a great start with several of our group taking part. We have been extremely dedicated in getting up at 6am every morning in November to write. This is thanks to the inspirational Wendy Jones, who organised the early morning write-ins via Zoom.

Many of us have said how useful it is to get words on the page early in the day, freeing up time for our day jobs, our families and other tasks. In fact, we’re finding it so useful, some of us are thinking about making it a regular occurrance. We’ll see how that goes…

We are now a bona fide chapter of the wonderful Sisters in Crime network and the first in the United Kingdom and Europe. Our President is Melissa Williams-Pope, our Vice President Jennifer Young, our Secretary Stella Oni and our Treasurer, Biba Fielding.

We came into being in July 2021, and our mission is to promote, support and recognise the professional development of women crime writers in the United Kingdom and Europe. To join our chapter, sign up here or get in touch.

We’re excited to kickstart the year with some wonderful guest speakers, lots of exciting fundraising and networking opportunities, and practical advice to help our members develop and succeed as writers and publishing professionals.

We are open to writers of all genders, as well as readers, publishers, bloggers, booksellers and anyone interested in the genre. We hope you’ll join us for this exciting journey.