Well-written books begin with in-depth knowledge

Live and on-demand video training for writers featuring law enforcement & forensic procedures, and the craft of storytelling.

All of our classes and seminars are designed and taught by leading experts.

Susannah Hamilton

Susannah Hamilton
bruce coffin

Bruce Robert Coffin
carrie stuart parks

Carrie Stuart Parks
charlaine harris

Charlaine Harris
heather graham

Heather Graham
karmen harris

Karmen Harris
Dr. Katherine Ramsland

Katherine Ramsland
Robert Dugoni

Robert Dugoni

See All Instructors

Current Live Classes

We're getting ready to roll out some brand new classes! As always, they'll be taught by the industries leading experts.

We're finalizing details, so check back soon. You may also join our mailing list to be kept apprised of new classes.

On-Demand Classes

Purchase today and watch any time in the next 60 days!

As an alternative to our live classes, we'll soon be offering "On Demand" seminars that can be purchased and watched at your convenience and on your own schedule.

Check back soon for more info, or join our mailing list to be kept in the loop.

Previous Live Classes

Check out what you missed!

Digital Publishing Academy
Bookouture Editor Susannah Hamilton will talk about all things digital publishing, including what works well in digital, a look at the different stages of editing, and a brief foray into crime and thriller genre nuances for the digital market.

Read More

Creating Plots for Page Turners
This unique session is a rare opportunity to learn from one of today’s top authors! Learn how to keep your readers hooked from the beginning to the end of your story.

Read More

Behavioral Clues at Crime Scenes

Crime scenes always tell a story, which shows up most clearly in behavioral clues.

Read More

Forensic Psychiatry, Murder, LAPD Lipstick, & Memorable Characters
In this illuminating session, acclaimed forensic and perinatal psychiatrist, Susan Hatters Friedman, M.D., describes common misunderstandings about her field of forensic psychiatry when it appears in crime fiction.

Read More

Search Dogs, Search Warrants, a Search for Words, and Lies
This course will describe the general legal standards for the use of force by police such as warrants, including anticipatory, knock, and No Knock, warrants and pursuits.

Read More

Criminal Investigations: Writing Believable Make-Believe
Three of the country’s top investigators and forensics experts present sessions on cybercrimes and  3D crime-scene mapping; learn what happens when a sexual assault victim seeks care in a hospital setting.

Read More

Mystery and Murder: Transforming Reality into Fantastic Fiction
Journey into the minds of three top forensic experts and a #1 bestselling author.

Read More

Testimonials

Lee Goldberg

“Writers’ Police Academy has been invaluable to me as an author. I probably wouldn’t have conceived of my novels LOST HILLS and BONE CANYON if not for attending WPA and befriending the experts I met there. It has enriched my understanding. You not only learn about experienced law enforcement, but you learn about writing from international bestselling authors, too. WPA is the best conference for crime writers, period.”

Lee Goldberg

#1 New York Times bestselling author

Tim Tigner

“For crime writers serious about their careers, there’s no better investment of time or money than attending the Writers’ Police Academy.”

Tim Tigner

International Bestselling Author

Charlaine Harris

“The WPA is fascinating, informative, and absolutely stimulating to writers. Top-of-the-line instructors with genuine expertise in their fields not only take you through presentations full of interesting stuff, they willingly answer your questions. It’s great.”

Charlaine Harris

International bestselling author of the "Sookie Stackhouse" novels, the basis for the television series "True Blood."