15
Apr
What’s in store at this year’s Harrogate crime writing festival?
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From reality TV stars and journalists to veteran novelists and ex-lawyers, this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is sure to offer something for everyone.
The festival, which is organised by the arts charity Harrogate International Festivals, attracts about 20,000 people to Harrogate each summer.
This year's event is chaired by Lisa Jewell, whose books have sold in the millions worldwide and have been translated into more than 30 languages.
The full programme has now been released, and includes writing workshops, panel talks, an author dinner and a quiz.
There will also be a new stage championing rising stars of the genre in a series of bite-size events.
The festival will open on Thursday, July 23, with workshops for aspiring crime writers led by authors such as Mark Billingham, A.A. Dhand and Laura Sherlock.
The annual awards ceremony will also be held that evening, where crime fiction authors will be presented awards for categories including best debut novel and outstanding contribution to the industry.
Jeremy Vine at last year's festival. Pic: Gerard Binks
Two former lawyers will open the following day (Friday, July 24) with a discussion on how their legal training helped them construct their latest novels, followed by a discussion on Agatha Christie’s impact on the crime writing world to mark the 50th anniversary of her death.
Crime writer-turned star of BBC’s The Traitors, Harriet Tyce, will lead a game of secrets and deception to test the audience’s detective skills.
Author Anthony Horrowitz will discuss his new novel on Saturday, July 25, while a group of writers will talk about crime poetry.
Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher novel series, will interview Lisa Jewell on her new book on the Saturday evening, followed by the annual late-night quiz.
The weekend will be rounded off by a discussion on how home environments can affect authors’ writing, which will be led by broadcaster and author Jeremy Vine, the following morning.
Simon Theakston, chairman of T&R Theakston Ltd, said:
We are extremely proud to support this world class event for an incredible twenty-third year and welcome over 140 writers for what promises to be our biggest and boldest festival ever.
Lisa Jewell and the committee have delivered an outstanding programme packed with legends of the genre, massive internationally bestselling authors, rising stars, thrilling panels and exclusive events.
We look forward to an unforgettable festival as we celebrate the very best in global crime writing this summer.
Tickets for the crime writing festival, which is held at The Old Swan Hotel, are on sale now.
More information on the event can be found on the website.
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