Writing a Series with Ellie Marney

Learn how to take the long view when creating a duology, trilogy, or extended series.

Tackling a single novel can be hard – how do you handle creating a series? In this workshop, learn the basics of long arcs, pacing, and structure when creating books which don’t stand alone. Get some tips on how to develop characters and sustain tension across two books, three books and more. Find out ways to keep surprising readers, learn the best strategies for tying everything together, and (most importantly) work out when you’ve finally reached ‘The End’ in a long-form series.

Learning outcomes

As part of this workshop, you will learn how to:

• Structure plot and character arcs across a long-form series

• Sustain tension within multi-book arcs

• Keep things fresh for the reader

• Tackle the finale with panache

Format

This is an online workshop with a focus on craft; it will be hosted via Zoom. This workshop is suitable for fiction writers of all levels and writing backgrounds.
      

About Ellie

Ellie Marney is a multi-award-winning author of thrillers for teens and adults. Her titles include the New York Times bestselling None Shall Sleep series, CBCA Notable standalone The Killing Code, Australian library favourite Every Breath series, and more - her next book No One Is Safe is a new series launching in 2026. Her books are sold globally and have been optioned for the screen. Ellie has spent a lifetime researching in mortuaries, interviewing law enforcement and autopsy specialists, and asking former spies how to make explosives from household items – now she lives quite sedately with her family in south-eastern Australia while she writes her next book.

For more information about Queensland Writers Centre’s Program of Events and answers to FAQs, please visit: www.queenslandwriters.org.au/program-info