To celebrate a decade of platforming debut crime writers, BAD Sydney introduces a lineup of the latest! Introduced by 2025 Danger Award Debut Fiction winner Mitch Jennings, each first-time author will present their novel, relate how they came to be published and their experience of venturing into crime writing. A chance to encounter an early crime fiction masterpiece!

If you’re too close to your crime fiction manuscript to see it objectively, professional feedback may be the answer. Crime fiction author, writing teacher, facilitator, speaker and teacher Ashley Kalagian Blunt will read a 1-page (300-word) synopsis and the first 4000 words of your manuscript, and provide a one-on-one mentoring session to discuss areas for improvement, submission readiness, and suggested ways forward. This is a great opportunity to see where your manuscript is at, and seek advice on aspects of your writing, the publishing industry, and getting your work submission-ready. Please note that this is not a detailed line-by-line assessment and feedback on your manuscript extract will be discussed verbally during the session (no written report or editorial notes will be provided). Come prepared to ask questions and take notes during the session.

The first two booked and paid entries will be accepted. BAD Sydney will not undertake any prior review of the manuscripts. The 300-word synopsis and 4000-word manuscript (double-spaced and formatted at 12 point) must be submitted by 5 November at the latest to catherine@badsydney.com. If this is not received on time or does not meet the format specifications, the session will not take place and the fee will be refunded minus a $25 administration fee.

If you’re too close to your crime fiction manuscript to see it objectively, professional feedback may be the answer. Crime fiction author, writing teacher, facilitator, speaker and teacher Ashley Kalagian Blunt will read a 1-page (300-word) synopsis and the first 4000 words of your manuscript, and provide a one-on-one mentoring session to discuss areas for improvement, submission readiness, and suggested ways forward. This is a great opportunity to see where your manuscript is at, and seek advice on aspects of your writing, the publishing industry, and getting your work submission-ready. Please note that this is not a detailed line-by-line assessment and feedback on your manuscript extract will be discussed verbally during the session (no written report or editorial notes will be provided). Come prepared to ask questions and take notes during the session.

The first two booked and paid entries will be accepted. BAD Sydney will not undertake any prior review of the manuscripts. The 300-word synopsis and 4000-word manuscript (double-spaced and formatted at 12 point) must be submitted by 5 November at the latest to catherine@badsydney.com. If this is not received on time or does not meet the format specifications, the session will not take place and the fee will be refunded minus a $25 administration fee.

When BAD Sydney began it was almost impossible to encounter major LGBTIQA+ characters in mainstream Australian crime novels. Ten years on and queer authors are having such an impact that even straight writers have embarked on a level of inclusion that is taking the genre into new communities, settings and themes. BAD Sydney celebrates crime fiction with Pride.

Linda Atkins’ debut novel What We Left Behind is described by Candice Fox as ‘a gritty, epic, unputdownable western suburbs crime novel with a shocking killer twist. Original and unforgettable.’ Find out more at the launch.

Do you want to write a crime novel that stays with your reader long after the last page? This 3-hour workshop aims to equip you to write character-driven crime fiction with a strong voice (the elusive ‘know it when you see it’ that’s the hallmark of a story well told). With readings and discussion, as well as exercises to help you hone your crime novel, this course is open to anyone no matter the stage of their work-in-progress.

Australia now boasts an impressive list of successful female crime writers. What does the future hold for them? Four of Australia’s finest discuss what the view looks like from their perspective. What have they learned about the process and what are the highlights and the challenges of pursuing a career in crime?

Beef Wellington might be off most menus for the foreseeable future, but death by poisoning has long been a method of murder in Australia. From the dining table to the kitchen, mushrooms to rat poison and strychnine, three true crime commentators examine killers who did away with family members by serving up toxins in the home.

NOTE: This discussion will appear on a bonus episode of Gary Jubelin’s I Catch Killers podcast at a later date.