Students' Day Friday 29 May
Writing Tension & Creating The Perfect Crime
In this workshop, Amy Doak will teach writers the tropes and elements of mystery and crime writing from the sleuth to the crime, and the secrets of solving the puzzle. She will also show tips and tricks to add tension, action and excitement to stories.
Writers will leave with a powerful, tension-filled scene to expand on, along with an outline for a mystery novel.
A total of 20 students, Years 9 to 11 will attend from Maryborough Education Centre and Highview College, Maryborough, are attending.
The workshop begins at 10.00am at the Maryborough Library in Nolan St, Maryborough and concludes at 12.30 followed by lunch.
Words in Winter Central Goldfields thanks the library staff for their contribution to the day by working with us and making the library available, and a big thanks to our organisers, Deb Macer and Jenny Hurse.
Amy Doak
Amy Doak is a lifelong lover of books, reading and writing. Her debut YA crime novel Eleanor Jones Is Not A Murderer was released in September 2023 (followed by two further titles in the series: Eleanor Jones Can’t Keep A Secret and Eleanor Jones Is Playing With Fire). In late 2025, her stand alone YA mystery thriller: What Have They Done To Liza McLean? was released.
Eleanor Jones Is Not A Murderer won the 2024 Davitt Award for Best Crime Novel for YA Readers and the 2025 Singapore Red Dot Book Award for Mature Readers.
Amy has written for many years, working as a freelance writer, and also publishing multiple non-fiction titles. She has also worked in marketing and media (radio, television, magazines) and continues to consult in these fields – particularly with those seeking to publish. Enjoying an enduring passion for reading, Amy loves to encourage others to foster a joy of story in all forms.
She lives in Central Victoria (Dja Dja Wurrung country).
Our Sponsor for the Day
The CEO of Midland Typesetters will welcome everyone at 10.00am. The business has been at the forefront of typographical services for over 30 years, becoming a major supplier to the publishing industry. The company combines experience with the most up-to-date technology available and takes great pride in the reputation it has earned for outstanding quality and efficient service.
Midland Typesetters have extensive experience in all book production areas and work closely with publishers, writers, editors and managers to produce print-ready manuscripts of the highest marketable and creative standards.