Behind Bars & Between the Lines: A CRIME WRITING RETREAT At The West Midlands Police Museum

Two police motorcycles at the west midlands police museum

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of running a truly unique writing retreat in one of the West Midlands' most atmospheric spaces: The old lock up at the West Midlands Police Museum in Birmingham.

With its perfectly preserved cells, Victorian architecture, and echoes of a thousand untold stories, it was the perfect setting to dive deep into the art of writing crime, mystery, and historical fiction.

A Setting That Inspires

The lock-up, once a functioning police station and holding facility, provided an evocative and immersive backdrop for our retreat. Every brick seems to whisper a tale—from echoes of forgotten footsteps to the chill of old cells. Writers found inspiration in every exhibit and story.

We began the day with pastries and coffee while writers got to know one another, followed by a tour of the museum, giving participants time to soak up the setting and imagine their characters walking those same corridors.

Then we settled down for our first writing session, with writers choosing to write in the mess hall, an old cell or the police interview room. The stories practically wrote themselves!

One of our writers, writing her crime novel in an old cell at the lock up.

A Special Guest: Author Natalie Marlow

After lunch, we were thrilled to welcome guest writer Natalie Marlow, author of Needless Alley and The Red Hollow, who brought incredible insight into writing historical fiction and her own story of how she came to be a published writer.

Natalie shared her research process, tips on building atmosphere, and how she crafts compelling characters drawn from the past. Participants were captivated by her knowledge and generosity in sharing her creative process.

Our guest author Natalie Marlow talking with our writers and answering their questions about writing, working with literary agents and being published.

A CELEBRATION TRAPPED IN TIME

During the afternoon we had our last writing session and celebrated reaching our writing and editing goals with a glass of nosecco and taking a mugshot or two!

Some of our writers celebrating with a glass of no-secco

Looking Ahead

This retreat reminded me how powerful the right space—and the right people—can be in unlocking creativity. I'm already making plans for the next one!

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