Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival @ Harrogate in 2009
The recent newsletter brings details of a "book now" offer - before Jan 16, 2009 - to get 5% off a weekend ticket and accommodation package, along with a free copy of Peter Leaonard's novel "Quiver". Contact details can be found on the site.
Also, John Banville as Benjamin Black, Mark Billingham, Lee Child, Reginald Hill, and George Pelecanos are the special guests confirmed so far. The list of authors confirmed is as follows:
Megan Abbott, John Banville, Mark Billingham, Gyles Brandreth, Ken Bruen, Duncan Campbell, Lee Child, Ann Cleeves, Natasha Cooper, Neil Cross, Daniel Depp, Stella Duffy, Ruth Dudley Edwards, Jasper Fforde, Barry Forshaw, Christopher Fowler, Ariana Franklin, Frances Fyfield, Jason Goodwin, Allan Guthrie, John Harvey, Reginald Hill, Suzette A. Hill. Declan Hughes, Peter James, Paul Johnston, Simon Kernick, Mark Lawson, David Levien, Robert Lewis, Laura Lippman, Stuart MacBride, Shona Maclean, Val McDermid, Brian McGilloway, Mark Mills, Denise Mina, Dreda Say Mitchell, Barry Norman, Caro Peacock, Caro Ramsay, Manda Scott, Zoë Sharp, Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, Andrew Taylor, Cathi Unsworth, Dan Waddell, Martyn Waites, Martin Walker, Lee Weeks, Laura Wilson.
Panel highlights from the newsletter include:
Delving into the very roots of the crime genre with The Raven and The Rue Morgue, a panel celebrating the bicentennial of the birth of the mysterious man hailed as the father of the modern detective story, Edgar Allan Poe. Peter James, Laura Lippman, Andrew Taylor and Martin Walker will be helping chair Barry Forshaw tackle the man behind the myth.
Setting the mood, Music To Murder By will take a look at the use of music in crime fiction. Can it become a character in itself, or is it merely an easy way to convey an atmosphere? John Harvey, Dreda Say Mitchell, Cathi Unsworth and Martyn Waites are among the admirers of classical, jazz, reggae and punk rock discussing what their favourite sounds bring to their work.
Adding a touch of glamour to proceedings, Harrogate meets Hollywood in the panel Shoot The Book. Film critic Barry Norman addresses the different disciplines of writing for page and screen with the aid of tinsel town screenwriters-turned-novelists, David Levien (whose writing credits include Ocean's 13, Rounders, and Runaway Jury) and Daniel Depp (co-writer of The Brave with his brother Johnny), Spooks writer and author Neil Cross and author of acclaimed novels adapted for television, Frances Fyfield.
Providing a twist in the tale, Dangerous Dykes will ask why do lesbians make such successful crime writers? Four of the best gay women novelists, Val McDermid, Natasha Cooper, Stella Duffy and Manda Scott, discuss the pros, the cons and the controversial aspects of their work.
Shocking denouements come courtesy of a new late night cabaret event, Secrets and Lies in which host Mark Billingham encourages some of your favourite crime writers to confess their innermost secrets - but are they telling the truth or just creating yet more works of fiction? You have to decide.
Helene, if we both make it to Harrogate this year, I will bring you a book on Wales that is really beautiful. The pictures are quite stunning and you will most certainly make your next trip here, once you've seen this one. It's from a Welsh publisher too.
Posted by: cfr | 14 January 2009 at 17:37
Thanks for everything. I'll have plenty of time to look for information. I've bought lots of guides about Wales as I wanted to go there this summer but I'll have to change my plans!
Posted by: Helene | 11 January 2009 at 08:11
That's good to hear! I hope to be there too, but I can't confirm until nearer the date. Stay in touch and I'll let you know later. Would be great to meet up if I am there and I certainly hope to be. You will find that you are not alone for long...
Helene, you are flying from France, I think? Best to try and get to the Leeds Bradford International Airport, if you can. Then from the centre of Leeds, it's a short train journey to Harrogate.
Posted by: cfr | 08 January 2009 at 19:48
I'm going to Harrogate this summer for the Crime Writing Festival! I'll just have to put Harrogate on a map (I don't want to sound rude and obnoxious but my geography of the UK is really poor...)and try to go there for the 23rd of July. Well if my credit card isn't rejected...
:-)
Posted by: Helene | 08 January 2009 at 19:35
It sounds really attractive! And as it takes place in July I'll be on holidays!!! I think I'm going to Harrogate this summer! :-)
Posted by: Helene | 03 December 2008 at 16:08