Registration links will be posted here and in our Facebook and Whatsapp group the month prior to the talk. Members only meetings are held at our usual write-in Zoom link.
To become a member of Once Upon A Crime, please take a look at our Membership page.
28 January: Fran Riccardi, Kate Nash Agency on The Role of a Literary Agent
25 February: Stephanie Argy, Editor and Publishing Consultant: an Editor’s Perspective plus tips for authors. (Members Only)
25 March: Wendy H Jones, Author and Member of SINC International Board with her insight and advice on marketing our work. (Members and Wider SinC Community)
29 April: Myths of modern policing, an update for crime writers. (TBC)
27 May: Vaseem Khan on his route to best-selling crime plus how to switch genres within crime fiction.
24 June: Rebecca Flanagan, an ex-crime scene investigator for West Midlands police shares her real-life experience of crime scenes and the CSM role.
Tuesday 28 July: Yvonne Battle-Felton, crime author and Director of Creative Writing at Cambridge University on developing character in crime fiction.
26 August: Melissa Williams-Pope on wellbeing for crime authors. (Members Only)
30 September: Prof Jim Fraser, University of Strathclyde, researcher and expert witness in forensic science: No Stone Unturned, busting the myths of forensics.
28 October: Author talk from one of crime’s diverse sub-genres.
25 November: Mystery Christmas guest plus Quiz (Members Only)
If any part of your author life feels harder than it should at the moment, it might be a story problem. No, not the actual story-you’re-working-on problem, but rather your internal story. The story you’re telling yourself…
When something’s not working or is feeling difficult, it’s easy to immediately jump to the conclusion that you need to learn a new writing or marketing technique, or just be more disciplined, or abandon ship and follow the latest trend. But what if these seemingly reasonable conclusions are not only stalling your progress, but masking something deeper standing in your way: your inner narrative?
You see, our brains are hardwired to make meaning of every experience. And this meaning-making becomes a story we tell ourselves as a way to protect us from future pain. Sometimes what may feel like “just being realistic” is really us rehearsing our disappointments… and stalling momentum. But did you know you have the power to choose the meaning you make and the story you tell? We don’t have to just accept the first thing our brains serve up. We can choose stories that keep us inspired and moving toward our author dreams instead of ones that have us questioning our life choices. 😉
I once coached someone who wanted to start a business. The problem was, he’d started a business years before and it flopped. The story he realised he’d been telling himself based on that outcome was: “I’m just not cut out for business.” And it was standing in the way of him taking any meaningful action. When he was willing to entertain the possibility of a different story — “Maybe that time wasn’t about me being successful in business, but about the things I learned that I can use now and the friends I made along the way who enrich my life to this day” — he was liberated to move forward. The facts hadn’t changed. His business had failed. But he no longer saw himself as a failure.
Here’s an example from the writing world: say Sandy and Sam both had a submission turned down. Sandy might now be feeling hopeless or incapable of ever being successful. To protect Sandy from the pain of further submission rejections, the internal story could be: “I must’ve picked the wrong genre. I obviously don’t know what I’m doing.” Now Sandy can’t get any traction because he’s scampering along the ever-evolving “hot genres” hamster wheel.
Meanwhile, Sam has chosen to adopt different internal stories: “It’s OK. I’ve got plenty of time. After all, Millard Kaufman published his first book at 90!” and “I believe in my book and there is a publishing path and a space for it out there.” Over the next few weeks, Sam sends out 30 new submissions, gets 28 more rejections and two offers, but decides to self-publish in the end.
Of course Sam’s and Sandy’s examples are overly simplistic illustrations, but you get the point. Same original situation, and yet because of the stories they believed, they each had vastly different experiences.
So how do you make this work for you? First, simply notice what’s playing in your head and ask: “Does this story motivate me to keep going? Does it keep me in a place of hope or peace or joy?” No? So what would be a more helpful story to adopt? Then rewrite the story. “I’m too old” could simply become “I’m not too old,” or even better: “I’m right on time.”
This week, I encourage you to notice your stories. If they don’t support what you want to achieve and how you want to feel while you’re achieving it, consider your very own rewrite. Just remember, when you’re used to a certain way of seeing the world, trying on a new story might not feel totally comfortable at first. But if you let it marinate, it will feel natural in time.
Join Melissa’s February Planning Sessions
Melissa is hosting live Planning Sessions for our chapter every Sunday in February at 7:30pm on Zoom. These focused, supportive sessions are designed to help you clarify your goals, map out your next steps, and stay accountable alongside fellow members.
Whether you’re refining a current project or setting fresh intentions, you’ll leave each session with a clear plan and renewed momentum.
When: Wednesday, 28 January 2026 Online: Sign up link
Join us on Wednesday, 28th January, when we have Francesca Riccardi from the Kate Nash Literary Agency talking to us. Come with questions, and prepare for a lively and informative session.
Francesca Riccardi is a literary agent at Kate Nash Literary Agency. She has previously worked in publishing sales roles at HarperCollins, Constable & Robinson, Atlantic Books (where she was recognised as a 2017 Bookseller Rising Star), and Canelo. She represents commercial and upmarket fiction and reads widely across all genres, with particular interests in books with a strong voice and sense of place, high concept hooks, and novels that showcase lesser known experiences and/or female and diverse narratives.
Francesca was born and raised in Peterborough and lived in Leeds, London, and Southend, before moving back to the Fens where she lives with her partner and their two rescue dogs.
We’re excited to share the details of our cosy Sisters in Crime Winter Writing Retreat — and I really hope you’ll join us! (This event is for members only. To become a member, sign up here.)
We’re heading back to the beautiful Gladstone’s Library in North Wales from Friday afternoon, 7 November to Sunday lunchtime, 9 November. Imagine stepping inside a warm, historic library filled with books, curling up by the fire, and having the whole weekend just to write, read, think, and relax with fellow writers.
We’ll kick off on Friday with a welcome get-together, a quick tour, and some optional writing time if you’re itching to get started. In the evenings, we’ll gather for delicious dinners together, with plenty of time to chat and share ideas. Saturday and Sunday mornings are for quiet “writing parties” — a chance to settle in, get words on the page, and soak up the incredible atmosphere of the famous Reading Room. When you need a break, you can wander around the beautiful Gladstone estate or stroll into the nearby village of Hawarden.
Your stay includes a lovely ensuite room (every bedroom has a desk!) and a hearty breakfast and dinner each day. The Food for Thought café onsite has a great menu for lunch and snacks, and if we’re feeling social, we might even head out for a Sunday lunch before we all head home. Getting there is easy — it’s just a short taxi ride from Chester station, and there’s free parking if you’re driving.
It really is the perfect place to immerse yourself in your writing, and this year we have a few extra rooms so even more of us can come along.
All you need to do is book your spot directly with the Library (just mention you’re with the Sisters in Crime Writing Retreat to get our special rates) and then let me know once you’re signed up. I can’t wait to be back there — and I hope you’ll be there too!
Prices: Single Ensuite Dinner B&B with SoA discount: £118 ppn. Double Ensuite Dinner B&B with SoA discount:£146 ppn; Twin Ensuite £168.
To book call Victoria at Gladstone’s Library on 01244 532350. If you have any questions about the retreat, reach out to a member of the board on ukeu.sinc@gmail.com.
We’re thrilled to share our expert speaker line-up for the rest of the year — and it’s a fantastic one! From publishing insiders to bestselling authors, industry specialists to creative mentors, we’ve curated a series of sessions designed to inform, inspire, and support you on every stage of your writing journey.
All the details, including dates and registration links, are shared in our members-only monthly newsletter, so make sure you’re signed up and checking your inbox. (If you’re not receiving it, please check your spam folder — and if it’s still not showing up, just drop us a line at ukeu.sinc@gmail.com and we’ll sort it out.)
Please note: not all events use our usual Zoom write-in link, so you’ll need to register in advance through the links provided in the newsletter.
We can’t wait to see you at these events — whether you’re tuning in live or catching up on the replay, there’s something here for everyone.
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!
This month we have a treat in store! Bestselling author, Daniel Sellers, is talking to us about Agatha Christie, followed by a fun, Agatha Quiz. Do you know your Miss Marple from your Poirot? Is it Murder at the Vicarage or The Body in the Library? Test your knowledge and have a laugh with your fellow murder mystery siblings on November 27th, at 7pm.
Daniel Sellers grew up in Yorkshire. He has lived and worked in Liverpool, Glasgow, Dublin, and Vaasa in Finland. He now lives in Argyll with his partner and a wheaten terrier called Rasmus.
Daniel loves crime fiction, old and new, particularly the work of Margaret Murphy, Mo Hayder, Ruth Rendell, P. D. James and Josephine Tey. He is a huge (if not obsessive!) fan of Agatha Christie, collecting first editions and managing the “For the Love of Agatha” Twitter fan account (@FortheLoveofAg1).
Daniel’s detective thrillers are pacy and dark, with as much interest in whydunnit as who.
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.*
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.
