Are you a fan of crime fiction? 

Ever thought you’d like to give it a go yourself? Or, have you started and would like some pointers and support?

If so, this is the relaxed, friendly learning holiday for you!

‘The Times’ bestselling crime author and comedian, Ian Moore, will guide you through the basics, offering tips and insights from blank page to typing ‘The End’. Through a mixture of fun, workshop group sessions, field writing trips, set assignments and one-to-one feedback, Ian will help you see through the jargon, unlock the tools you already have and give you the confidence to create your own stories.

And all in a stunning farmhouse setting at the foot of the Pyrenees, with 6 nights full-board accommodation included and lively dinner table discussions in the best French tradition!

There are many sub-genres in crime: procedural, cosy, noir, historical, thriller… but the basics remain the same. Plot, character and setting, and this course will concentrate on those three principles. 

So, are you a ‘plotter’ or a ‘pantser’? A three-act or five-act structure fan? Perhaps a writer keen to see which rules to use and which rules to break. Or, do you fancy five days and six nights with fellow, empathetic enthusiasts learning how to put together the book you’ve always wanted to write?

'The Times' Best-Selling Author and TV/Radio Comedian, Ian's debut novel, cosy crime whodunnit ‘Death & Croissants’ was released 2021, and has been followed up with Death and Fromage, Death at the Chateau and, to be released in July 2024, Death in Le Jardin. These best-selling books are currently in pre-production for television from the makers of the Award-winning Agatha Raisin... series.

'Beautifully done. Very funny indeed. I can’t imagine how one plots something like that. Tremendous work' MILES JUPP

'Cosy, quirky and wry, but most of all, hilariously funny!' JANICE HALLETT

Ian has also written The Man Who Didn't Burn (2023), the first in a thriller series, the second of which is called Dead Behind the Eyes and is out in October 2024. Vive le Chaos, the story of an English Grump in Rural France is also out this summer.

'A cracking good read' Mark Billingham

'An accomplished and compelling tale of French cops, the legend of Joan of Arc and a ceremoniously murdered Brit, all set in France's Luscious Loire Valley' Martin Walker

’Twisty, engrossing… A police procedural with a Gallic twist' Katy Watson

Ian has appeared on BBC 2’s Richard Osman’s House of Games, is a regular guest on BT Sport’s The Football’s On and BBC 5Live’s Fighting Talk and won many plaudits for his performance in the last series of BBC Radio 4’s long- running The Now Show.

Zero Neuf is a place to stay, play, eat, drink and create; it’s a return to the simple things in life. 

Located in the Ariège department of Southern France, it is surrounded by areas of outstanding natural beauty and an incredible variety of flora and fauna

Nestled amongst six acres of glorious French countryside, rooms at the front of the property look onto our garden, swimming pool and the uninterrupted views of the Pyrénées beyond whilst rooms at the rear of the property have views of the river l’Hers and our local village of Gaudiès.

Zero Neuf's kitchen is seasonal, sustainable and rustic, anchored in its environment, the regional natural park of the Ariège. 

Plants, vegetables and fruits come from their own kitchen garden or from artisan farmers and local markets and all meats and cheese are from local farms.

Zero Neuf is located in the Ariège region of Southern France. Our nearest airport (and the designated location for transfers) is Toulouse Blagnac. 

Intros

Discussion about genre and basic rules

Lunch

Your time: 500 word writing assignment

Dinner

Plot, Character, Setting – Where to start?

Lunch

Research and organisation – A writer’s Tools

One-to-one tutorials

Dinner

Putting it into Practice

A field trip to the nearby medieval city of Carcassonne to study setting, research etc

(Lunch & Dinner included)

Your time: 1000 word writing assignment on Carcassonne

Lunch

Approaching an Agent – The practicalities

One-to one tutorials on Carcassonne assignment

Lunch

Q&A and Quiz

Dinner and ‘Wrap’ Party