About this episode

Fergus Craig discusses his new novel and the challenges of writing parody in this episode of Writer's Routine.

Fergus Craig is a stand-up comic and actor who has appeared across shows on the BBC and Disney Plus. In 2009, he was named 'Hackney Empire's New Act of the Year'. Through lockdown, he found internet fame with his videos parodying bad crime writers. He starred in both series of the BBC show 'Hoff the Record', and won a Chortle Comedy Award. He would read 'Detective Roger le Carre' stories, filled with pomp and cliche. They drew in an audience, and spawned a novel-writing career.  He published 'One Upon a Crime' and 'Murder at Crime Manor', bringing Detective Roger le Carre to life. We discuss the challenges of writing parody, where readers come for the funny, and need to stay for the plot. His new novel is 'I'm Not The Only Murderer In My Retirement Home'.It tells the story of serial killer Carol Quinn, who is out of prison and looking to relax in her retirement home. However, when a dead body is found, she needs to find the culprit before all eyes turn on her. We discuss why plotting is like playing snooker, also how much he knows before he starts, and why he's enjoying not having to be relentlessly funny in the novel. You can get a copy of the book at…

People in this episode

Host: Dan Simpson

Guest: Fergus Craig

Topics covered

• writing
• mystery
• parody
• comedy
• publishing
• retirement home

Keywords

• Fergus Craig
• mystery novel
• parody writing
• comedy
• retirement home
• internet fame
• crime writers

Sponsors

M.M. Rodeheaver

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC, Disney Plus, Hackney Empire, Chortle Comedy Award

Products: M.M. Rodeheaver's new novel, 'Minding Toby'

Books & works: I'm Not The Only Murderer In My Retirement Home, One Upon a Crime, Murder at Crime Manor

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