Learn how to write stories with a twist!

WRITING SHORT, TWISTY SUSPENSE with Renee Roberson

WEBINAR DATE: Friday, October 2, 2026

WEBINAR TIME: 11 AM - 1 PM PT | 12-2 PM MT | 1-3 PM CT | 2-4 PM ET

DURATION: 2 Hours

LOCATION: Live webinar via Zoom

FEEDBACK: Questions, comments, and discussion will be welcome throughout the webinar. There will be space reserved at the end as well for questions and answers. Feel free to send questions in advance and they will be addressed during the webinar.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Do you love reading and writing suspense and dream of creating your own twisty piece of work? Do you want to write a short story, poem, or essay that will send chills up your reader’s spine but don’t want to commit to a full-length novel that has become the bread and butter of writers like Lisa Jewell, Alice Feeney, or Ashley Elston? There are markets that would love to take your polished pieces, whether driven purely from your imagination or inspired from real-life!

This live Zoom webinar starts and ends on Friday, October 2, 2026.

Time: 11 AM - 1 PM PT | 12-2 PM MT | 1-3 PM CT | 2-4 PM ET

The webinar can be viewed on a tablet, phone, or computer (both Mac and PC).

The instructor will record the class and have it available for anyone who would prefer to view the class at a different time and date.

Format

This course is offered via Zoom webinar. Webinars are workshops given online, where you can view the instructor and websites/materials she shares on her screen, making it an interactive experience. Webinars make learning from your home or office convenient.

Renee Roberson is a skilled journalist, scriptwriter, and podcast producer who is extremely knowledgeable in the podcast realm. I’ve come to her for advice on podcasting—whether it’s choosing the best microphone or tips for using GarageBand—and she’s generously shared insider information and easy-to-follow instructions. Her podcast, Missing in the Carolinas, is a riveting deep dive into the true crime cases that capture Renee’s heart. Everyone I’ve shared her podcast with mentions her soothing voice, and it’s so true! She’s great to listen to, and a talented, compassionate host. Renee has won many awards for her writing, and it made me so proud that an article she wrote for WOW about crime writing won a Writer’s Digest Writing Competition award! She’s also an excellent editor with a keen eye for all the elements that make a great story. If you have questions about podcasting, Renee is an invaluable resource and a passionate teacher. ~ Angela Mackintosh, WOW editor

I was so excited today when I saw a new episode was available! I really enjoy listening to this podcast. Each episode is so well done, and the narration is excellent. You have such a soothing voice. Thank you for all the work you put into each and every episode. I really appreciate it and look forward to future shows. ~ G. A.

As someone from N.C., I know most of the places she talks about and that’s nuts and makes it somehow more real. Also, the theme song has some serious Haunting of Hill House vibes. A great podcast! ~ Leilani

I’m not from the Carolinas, but I stumbled across this podcast while looking for new things to listen to. The narrator’s voice is wonderful. Her detail and compassion really rounds it out. Highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys learning about true crime. ~ D.M.

As someone from North Carolina, I love hearing cases that are specific to N.C. and S.C. The narrator has a very soothing voice, so the podcast is easy to listen to. Also, the episodes are short enough to hold my interest without having to listen to an episode in multiple parts. This podcast is very well done! I’m glad I came across this podcast! ~ L. 424

LECTURE AT A GLANCE:

Live Webinar: Writing Short, Twisty Suspense

Duration: 120 minutes

Writers like Stephen King and Jennifer Weiner are known for their full-length contemporary novels, but did you know they also like to dabble in shorter fiction? In two hours, you’ll learn how you don’t have to publish a full-length piece of writing to create a page-turner. The instructor will share how she has developed short podcast scripts, essays, flash fiction, and short stories and successfully placed in contests and achieved publication in literary journals.

The instructor will send a short reading list with examples of essays, poems, and flash fiction prior to the webinar. After discussing them, the instructor will provide three prompts designed to inspire stories with a twist.

Topics Covered Include:

What makes a compelling, suspenseful story or essay?
What are common tropes in the horror/suspense genre and how can we effectively use them in shorter pieces?
Finding inspiration for spooky stories from real-life.
How can we insert suspense into poetry?
What markets publish these shorter pieces?
How the podcast market is ripe for suspenseful writing.

Materials needed: All written materials and resources are provided by the instructor. She will provide PDFs of sample stories to read ahead of the class.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Renee Roberson is an award-winning writer, editor and blogger with hundreds of print and online articles and columns to her name. Her experience includes a background in journalism and communications, public relations, writing for regional parenting and city magazines, a daily newspaper and websites and e-zines. In 2017, her short story, “The Polaroid,” placed first in the Suspense/Thriller Category of the Writer’s Digest Popular Fiction Awards. Her short story, “The Monster in the Woods,” placed second in the Genre Short Story category in the 91st Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition. Other works include DEADline, published in the November 2024 issue of The Write Launch. She works as a contest judge and blogger for WOW! Women on Writing. She writes suspenseful podcast scripts weekly for her true crime podcast, Missing in the Carolinas.

COST: $30, which includes one two-hour webinar including a 15-minute Q&A with your instructor.

OPTIONAL CRITIQUE ADD-ON:: A personal critique from the instructor for $15. Receive a personal critique from the instructor of 5 double-spaced pages of your writing within two weeks of the class. This includes at least one submission recommendation. ($45 total).

BUY NOW: WRITING SHORT, TWISTY SUSPENSE with Renee Roberson (Live webinar on October 2, 2026)

Notes: Upon successful completion of payment, your name, email address, and contact info will be submitted to your instructor. She will e-mail you with the video link and supporting materials.

Questions? Email Marcia & Angela at:
classroom[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com

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