Crime Writers Panel: Inside the Mind of a Crime Writer
What draws readers to crime fiction? In this gripping panel, crime authors discuss the art of building suspense, crafting unforgettable detectives and villains, and keeping readers turning the page until the very last twist.
Event #15 – RACV Torquay Resort
3:00pm-4:00pm
Cost: $35
Mark Smith
Mark Smith is the author of five novels: Three Boys Gone, The Road to Winter, Wilder Country, Land of Fences, and If Not Us. Wilder Country won the 2018 Australian Indie Book Award for YA, and The Road to Winter is a popular text on school reading lists nationwide.
He is also an award-winning writer of short fiction whose work has been published in Australia and overseas. Additionally, Mark is the co-curator of Minds Went Walking: Paul Kelly’s Songs Reimagined and Into Your Arms: Nick Cave’s Songs Reimagined. His next book, Where Truth Ends, will be published by Pan Macmillan in June 2026.
Tanya Scott
Tanya Scott is a writer, doctor and medical educator based here in Torquay. She writes character-driven fiction informed by years of working in mental health care, where patients have taught her more than any textbook – not just about physical and mental health, but about humanity, resilience and the absurdity of life. Her love of twisty mysteries has made her an ‘accidental’ crime writer. Tanya’s first novel, Stillwater, was published in 2025, with a second on track for 2027.
Luke Johnson
Luke is a writer from Ocean Grove, on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. He is married with two daughters. He is a physiotherapist by trade, combining this with his love of reading and writing. A fan of literary fiction, crime fiction, and strong Australian-facing narratives and overtones, his debut, King Tide, was released in August 2025.
Take a look at our other sessions
This year’s line-up also includes bestselling and award-winning authors including Sarah Bailey and J.P. Pomare, who will take to the stage for a special live recording of their podcast, “He Read, She Read”, alongside acclaimed writers Alli Sinclair, Antoun Issa, Melissa Manning, Mark Smith, Tanya Scott, Brendan Cullen and Paul Mitchell, Emma Hardy, Kate Halfpenny and many more.