LIVE AND ON-DEMAND VIDEO TRAINING

Well written books begin with in-depth knowledge

Classes and Workshops for writers featuring law enforcement & forensic procedures, and the craft of storytelling.

Our classes and seminars are designed and taught by leading experts.

Live Course

Coming Soon!

A new online course. Title, description, and presenter - TBA

Behavioral Clues at Crime Scenes

June 25, 2022

11:00-12:30 p.m. EST

This class was a live, interactive session. A recorded on-demand version may soon be available. 

A fascinating live, online seminar taught by Dr. Katherine Ramsland. Session covers staging, profiling, character development, and more!

Dr. Katherine Ramsland teaches forensic psychology at DeSales University in Pennsylvania, where she is the Assistant Provost. She has appeared on more than 200 crime documentaries and magazine shows, is an executive producer of Murder House Flip, and has consulted for CSI, Bones, and The Alienist. The author of more than 1,500 articles and 69 books, including The Forensic Science of CSI, The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds, How to Catch a Killer, The Psychology of Death Investigations, and Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, The BTK Killer, she was co-executive producer for the Wolf Entertainment/A&E documentary based on the years she spent talking with Rader. Dr. Ramsland consults on death investigations, pens a blog for Psychology Today, and is writing a fiction series based on a female forensic psychologist.

Behavioral Clues at Crime Scenes

Crime scenes always tell a story, which shows up most clearly in behavioral clues. This can mean anything from signatures that link crimes to indicators of staged crimes to predictors of dangerous future behavior. This session shows writers how to spot and interpret behavioral clues during criminal profiling, crime reconstruction, or psychological autopsy.

Forensic Psychiatry, Murder, LAPD Lipstick, and Memorable Characters

A trio of acclaimed law enforcement and forensic experts take the stage to dispel the myths and misconceptions so often seen in crime fiction. This unique course takes participants behind the scenes, into the world of professionals who deal with the criminal element as part of their daily routines. At the end of the day, Charlaine Harris, bestselling author of the Aurora Teagarden mysteries, and the Sookie Stackhouse urban fantasies, addresses the entire group to reveal the secrets to using research to craft unique characters.

Search Dogs, Search Warrants, a Search for Words, and Lies

Three renowned professionals share intimate knowledge of K-9 search and rescues and the recovery of human remains; laws and procedures governing search warrants, pursuits, and police use of force; how detectives use the words of suspects and witnesses—nouns, pronouns, extra words, missing words—to detect deception or hidden information.

Criminal Investigations: Writing Believable Make-Believe

Three of the country’s top investigators and forensics experts present detailed sessions on cybercrimes and security, 3D crime-scene mapping using drones and lasers, and an in-depth, behind the scenes chronicling of what happens when a victim of sexual assault seeks care in a hospital setting.

Mystery and Murder: Transforming Reality into Fantastic Fiction

In this daylong seminar you'll learn tips, tactics, and techniques used by three acclaimed crime scene investigation and forensic psychology professionals. Then, #1 bestselling author Tami Hoag wraps up the event with an amazing workshop detailing how to carefully weave CSI knowledge into your story.

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Boost Your Writing by Learning Fundamental and Advanced Techniques.

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Why Choose WPA Online

Industry Experts

Best selling authors. Leading Law enforcement and forensics experts. Top writing industry pros!

Learn Online at Home

Convenient classes both on-demand and live.

Timely Topics for Writers

Expanding from our yearly conference, classes tailored for online delivery.

Testimonials

Writers' Police Academy Attendees Offer High Praise!

4.92

"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 expreienced 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

"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

"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.”

"Wildly fun, incredibly informative, the Writers Police Academy is one of my all-time favorite conferences. Though I did die multiple times in the SWAT drills. Can't wait to attend again!"

Lisa Gardner

#1 New York Times bestselling and global award-winning thriller novelist

"The Writer's Police Academy is perfection. It is as close as a writer can get to being in the skin of a police officer. They cover everything from forensics, to traffic stops, to clearing a room with your gun drawn. The instructors are all people with years of experience in the streets. You feel what it is really like to examine a crime scene or to deal with an active shooter. It will open your eyes to what a tough job law enforcement really is and save you from making cliched mistakes in your fiction. Highly recommended."

Phoef Sutton

International bestselling author, and Emmy, Peabody, and Television Academy Award winner for his work as executive producer and writer of the hit television series CHEERS and BOSTON LEGAL.

"The Writers’ Police Academy provides a treasure trove of information for the modern crime writer.  The instructors are not only experts in their fields, but they’re also savvy readers and, in many cases, writers themselves. They’re able to strip down the technical information to what a writer really needs to advance story, character, and setting. It’s also a ton of fun. Highly recommended!"

Alafair Burke

New York Times and internationally bestselling author