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Writing Thrillers

Harlan Coben

Writing Thrillers

Hook your reader and write jaw-dropping twists with the legendary author behind 10 New York Times Bestsellers.

This course includes:

4.5 hours

23 lessons

23 exercises

What you'll learn

Join Harlan as he shares his secrets to building suspenseful stories, and craft novels your readers simply can’t put down.

  • Perfect the art of pacing
  • Master suspense, tension and plot twists
  • Learn about structure, dialogue, setting and character
  • Beat writer's block
  • Adapt your novel for TV
  • Get industry insights from Harlan’s editor and agent

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Harlan Coben is the #1 New York Times author of more than 36 novels including The Boy from the Woods, Fool Me Once, Tell No One and the renowned Myron Bolitar series. His books have been published in 46 languages around the globe, and many have also been adapted into television dramas including The Stranger, Stay Close, and Shelter to name but a few. Harlan Coben has been awarded the Edgar Award, Shamus Award and Anthony Award – he was in fact the first author to win all three – and was the first writer in more than a decade to be invited to write fiction for the New York Times op-ed page. His essays and columns have appeared in many top publications including the New York Times, Parade Magazine, and Bloomberg Views. 

Course trailer

Lesson plan (23)

  1. 01

    Writing Thrillers Introduction

    05:53

  2. 02

    Being a Writer

    18:14

  3. 03

    Inspiration - The idea

    13:38

  4. 04

    Inspiration – In Practice

    15:01

  5. 05

    Perspiration – The Work

    07:01

  6. 06

    Desperation – The Motivation

    10:56

  7. 07

    Research

    08:49

  8. 08

    The Plot

    12:03

  9. 09

    Characters

    18:08

  10. 10

    Villains

    11:34

  11. 11

    Starting from the Middle

    10:30

  12. 12

    Setting and Atmosphere

    08:55

  13. 13

    Dialogue

    09:07

  14. 14

    Pacing

    06:22

  15. 15

    Suspense and Secrets

    10:28

  16. 16

    Plot Twists and Rabbit Holes

    12:37

  17. 17

    Reframing Writer’s Block

    12:03

  18. 18

    Memorable Endings

    15:12

  19. 19

    Editing

    23:23

  20. 20

    Considering Audience

    09:13

  21. 21

    Getting an Agent

    13:52

  22. 22

    Writing for Television

    13:59

  23. 23

    Conclusion

    01:56

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Pricing plans

One course

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Price

$89

/ year

$120

/ year

Number of Maestro

1

(Harlan Coben only)

35+

(incl. Harlan Coben)

Across 7 categories

Access to new releases

Not included Included

Downloadable course guide

Included Included

Money back guarantee

14 days

30 days

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Get a free taster lesson

Sign up for Harlan Coben’s free introductory lesson, which will give you a flavour of what’s to come on his course, and get you inspired to start writing.