The College of Felony and Intrigue (COFFIN) offers two tracks of monthly online workshops: Killer Instincts is taught by writing craft experts, and Murder One is taught by experts in the various fields pertinent to the writing of mystery, thriller, and suspense novels (police, intelligence, forensics, first responders, military, etc.) Two-week classes are $15 for KOD members, $20 for RWA members, and $30 for non-members. Four-week classes are $20 for KOD members, $25 for RWA members, and $35 for non-members. Zoom Workshops are $10 for all attendees. Ask an Expert (AAE) zooms are free to KOD Members with coupon code. Not only is this educational wing of the chapter one of the first of its kind in the country; it is one of the most thorough and one of the most respected.

To receive your member discount, Please use the link shared with RWA members or KOD members on the corresponding RWA Circles.

There are no refunds for the classes.

In the unforeseen event that a workshop has to be rescheduled or canceled or a duplicate registration is received, the attendee will be able to choose another workshop from the current COFFIN Murder One or Killer Instincts schedule of equal value. The substitute workshop must be requested within six months of the initially paid-for workshop.

Deadline to sign up for any 2 or 4 week class is the 10th of the month of that class. Zoom Workshop sign ups will close the day before the workshop by 12:00 CST. Late Registration is at the discretion of Admin. 

Please contact our COFFIN chair at: KODCOFFIN144@gmail.com for help regarding registration or links to classes.

If you are having trouble with payment, please contact kod144treasurer@gmail.com.

UPDATE:

While we work on the website issue, you will find non-member payment links included on this page.

KOD Members can find the KOD links shared in the newsletter and posted on KOD’s Circle.

RWA members will find the link shared on the RWA Circles.

All questions regarding how to register for a class should be sent to kod144treasurer@gmail.com 

Do you have a workshop you’d like to present? Please fill out our Workshop Proposal form and someone will contact you.

May Classes: 

Workshop Title: The Who and What of Police Work   May 4-29, 2026 Groups.IO   

Level: Introductory.     Instructor: Amaury Murgado, M.A. 

Register Here:  https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/RZDN4N3THFDYJ 

Amaury Murgado is a veteran law enforcement leader and Army Special Operations professional with nearly three decades of experience in public safety and military service. As a longtime columnist and contributing editor for Police Magazine, he has written extensively on leadership, officer development, and real-world operational challenges. He speaks and consults on leadership, resilience, preparedness, and authentic crime and law enforcement representation.

Workshop Description:

Increase your characters and story believability with a realistic understanding of police officers and police operations.  Amaury Murgado is a 30-year police veteran that will share his insights on police officers and police operations. The course involves the ABCs of law enforcement from how an officer gets the call, to how it ends in court, and everything in between. Topics include how officers are trained, the investigative process, use of force issues, police culture, and the human side of police work. Having a realistic understanding of police officers and police operations, will increase your characters and story believability.

Workshop Title: Wait! What? Writing Killer Plot Twists         May 10, 2026 9AM CST Zoom           

Instructor: Cynthia Owens

Register Here: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/UR7FMRE6SZREA

A former journalist and lifelong Celtophile, Cynthia enjoyed a previous career as a reporter/editor for a small chain of community newspapers before returning to her first love, romantic fiction. Her stories usually include an Irish setting, hero or heroine, and sometimes all three. Cynthia is the author of The Claddagh Series, historical romances set in Ireland and beyond, and The Wild Geese Series, in which five Irish heroes return from the American Civil War to find love and adventure. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Hearts Through History Romance Writers, and the Quebec Writers Federation. A lifelong resident of Montreal, Canada, she still lives there with her own Celtic hero. 

Workshop Description:  As readers, we all love to get into a good book with great characters and an engrossing plot line. We also like to guess what’s going to happen. But what we love most of all are those moments when you’re bowled over by some totally unexpected that you didn’t see coming, yet when you read it, it makes complete sense.

In Wait, What?! Writing Killer Plot Twists, you’ll learn how to write plot twists that will blow your readers’ minds and keep them turning the page.

Topics covered in this webinar include: What is a Plot Twist?, which defines the term, gives the rules for how a twist should be written, and why we should use them; how to approach a plot twist from the reader’s point of view; how to misdirect your reader with dead-ends, false hints, and red herrings; techniques to foreshadow your twist; how to write a twist using flashbacks; how to play upon your readers’ emotions; how to work backward to layer in hints and misdirection; and tips for writing the killer twist. Included in this workshop is Your Plot Twist Workbook, filled with resources, worksheets, and more!

Workshop Title: What’s Next for Authors: Myths, Realities, and Choices   May 30, 2026 9AM CST Zoom 

Level: Introductory  Instructor: T.B. Bond

Register Here: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/LAAGC273VDAD4

In addition to her background in cyber security, T.B. Bond has been writing, drawing, and web designing for years. When she is not doing one of those things, she’s reading and watching anime. Nerdtastic to the core she’s a Whovian, Trekkie, Otaku, and probably a whole host of other things.