The cosy crime genre has exploded in recent years, with older protagonists featuring heavily (they tend to have more time on their hands for solving mysteries, you see). But what happens when your older protagonist has a murderous past? That’s the hilarious set up for British actor, comedian and author Fergus Craig’s new ‘cracked cosy’ whodunnit I’m Not the Only Murderer in my Retirement Home. In this episode, Fergus talks about how he started writing crime books, the joys and challenges of bringing his latest novel to life, its international bidding war, and why he decided to walk from the UK to New Zealand.

00:00 Welcome
03:59 Writing tip: Keep track of your stories
07:29 WIN!: On the Edge by Kate Horan
09:47 Word of the week: ‘Infuscate’
12:05 Writer in residence: Fergus Craig
13:00 Fergus explains I’m Not the Only Murderer in my Retirement Home
15:30 The attraction of cosy crime
16:55 Getting a book deal via social media
17:54 The appeal of a whodunnit plot
22:42 The writing process: Planning vs. improvisation
24:27 Challenges and joys of writing the book
26:04 Differences between writing for TV and books
28:02 Fergus’s daily writing routine
29:49 Publishing journey and success
32:59 Advice on writing comedy
35:32 Promoting the book and social media success
39:20 Extra tips about writing
40:46 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

The cosy crime genre has exploded in recent years, with older protagonists featuring heavily (they tend to have more time on their hands for solving mysteries, you see). But what happens when your older protagonist has a murderous past? That&rsquo;s the hilarious set up for British actor, comedian and author Fergus Craig&rsquo;s new &lsquo;cracked cosy&rsquo; whodunnit&nbsp;I&rsquo;m Not the Only Murderer in my Retirement Home. In this episode, Fergus talks about how he started writing crime books, the joys and challenges of bringing his latest novel to life, its international bidding war, and why he decided to walk from the UK to New Zealand.
00:00 Welcome 03:59 Writing tip: Keep track of your stories 07:29 WIN!: On the Edge by Kate Horan 09:47 Word of the week: &lsquo;Infuscate&rsquo; 12:05 Writer in residence: Fergus Craig 13:00 Fergus explains I&rsquo;m Not the Only Murderer in my Retirement Home 15:30 The attraction of cosy crime 16:55 Getting a book deal via social media 17:54 The appeal of a whodunnit plot 22:42 The writing process: Planning vs. improvisation 24:27 Challenges and joys of writing the book 26:04 Differences between writing for TV and books 28:02 Fergus&rsquo;s daily writing routine 29:49 Publishing journey and success 32:59 Advice on writing comedy 35:32 Promoting the book and social media success 39:20 Extra tips about writing 40:46 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-704/">Read the show notes</a>
Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> |&nbsp;<a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

Everything you’ve always wanted to know about succeeding in the world of writing and publishing. Learn practical writing techniques, go behind-the-scenes and discover how real-life authors got their big break. Uncover the creative processes of writers who have made it. Your host is Valerie Khoo – author, journalist, creative and CEO of the Australian Writers’ Centre. 

Everything you&rsquo;ve always wanted to know about succeeding in the world of writing and publishing. Learn practical writing techniques, go behind-the-scenes and discover how real-life authors got their big break. Uncover the creative processes of writers who have made it. Your host is Valerie Khoo &ndash;&nbsp;author, journalist, creative and CEO of the Australian Writers&rsquo; Centre.&nbsp;