theakstons old peculier crime writing festival preview 2016

There’s something about crime fiction that makes it truly international. As well as reaching readers in all corners of the world, the writers themselves are often rooted in their homelands, opening up new vistas, street corners and backdrops, always writing themes that are universal, and increasingly so today in our shrinking world in which villains have no boundaries.

2016’s Festival will have a truly international flavour. Harrogate will fling its charming doors open to authors from America, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Canada, and more. There will be the Giants of the Genre we’ve come to expect from a Festival as brilliant as Harrogate, and we’ll be exploring that enticing world of the page turner. Page turners have that magical ability to transport you elsewhere. To keep you hooked, desperate for the next chapter, a little bereft when it’s all over, because you want more. A bit like the Festival really…Prepare to be gripped!

Peter James, 2016 Festival Programming Chair

Welcome once more to our old, and new, partners in crime.

It never ceases to amaze me how it is possible to keeping building on the previous year’s success of our Festival but with Peter James as our Festival Programming Chair this year, the line-up looks incredibly exciting once again.

Peter has given this year’s Festival an international flavour. Crime books, like good beer, travel well. No matter what country in the world you’re in, a pint and a book are reliable companions.

There’s no doubt that the Festival has helped the Theakstons name travel across the world.

Now in its 14th year, 2016’s programme is not only international in its breadth, but intelligent in design. It’s an honour and delight for us all that Peter is Programming Chair. He was voted the Best Crime Author of All Time in a WHSmith poll, so who better than to take the helm of the best crime writing festival of all time.

We may be biased saying it’s the best. But it so happens that just about everyone who attends, agrees. What makes Harrogate so special is its friendliness, the mingling of authors and readers, and of course the down to earth Yorkshire charm. Let’s raise a glass to that!

Have a great time!Simon Theakston, Executive Director, T&R Theakston

Book Online | www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.comBooking Fees Apply Box Office | 01423 562 303Box Office | 01423 562 303

2016 Theakstons Old PeculierCrime Writing Festival Programme

Thursday 21 July 2016

Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year & Festival Opening PartyThe six authors shortlisted for the prestigious prize battle it out for supremacy. Broadcaster Mark Lawson hosts as the 2016 award is presented to the lucky winner.

8.00pm | Tickets: £16

Friday 22 July 2016

Special Guest: Linwood Barclay interviewed by Mark BillinghamThe American-born Canadian Linwood Barclay, a former journalist and columnist, is the bestselling author of 13 detective novels including Trust Your Eyes, A Tap on the Window and No Time for Goodbye. He’ll be put under the forensic spotlight by bestselling crime writer Mark Billingham.

9.00am | Tickets: £13

You Couldn’t Make It Up. Or Could You?…Does life imitate art far more than art imitates life? Peter James discusses the role of real life cases with former Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett and authors Sharon Bolton, Mari Hannah and Ysra Sigurdardottir.


Domestic Suspense – The Killer Behind The Front DoorHome is where the heart is… and where the bread knives live! Join Julia Crouch, Helen Fitzgerald, Paula Hawkins, Clare Mackintosh and Alex Marwood, for a focus on grip lit.


Is the Legacy Of The Golden Age Still Alive? Ah, those were the days. Weren’t they? Reminisce with our ‘cosy crime’ panel featuring Simon Brett, Frances Brody, Ann Granger, Catriona McPherson and Ruth Ware.


Set A Scientist To Catch A Killer Forensics has transformed detecting crimes. Taking the genre from the puzzle in the library to the minutia under the microscope will be Dave Gaylor, Elly Griffiths, Peter James, Haydn Kelly, Brooke Magnanti and Kate Medina.


From Book to Stage and ScreenHow do bestsellers translate to different mediums? Find out with playwright Shaun McKenna and actors Robert Daws and Jamie Lomas.


Dead Good Reader AwardsJoin Dead Good for drinks as they present the Reader Awards as voted for by you. Best Series, Favourite Classic and Tantalising Twist are up for grabs with all attendees walking away with a goody bag full of this season’s best crime novels

6.30pm | Tickets £12

Special Guest: Val McDermid In Conversation with Susan CalmanContinuing the success of injecting comedians into the mix, ‘Queen of Crime’ and co-founder of the Festival Val McDermid will be In Conversation with comedian Susan Calman, a familiar face on shows such as Have I Got News for You, 8 out of 10 Cats and Would I Lie to You.


The Hard YardsHow many years does it take to become an overnight success? Talking about their journey up, and staying on top of, that greasy pole, join Sophie Hannah, Simon Kernick, Laura Lippman, Martyn Waites and Laura Wilson.


Saturday 23 July 2016

Special Guest: Jeffery Deaver interviewed by Mark Lawson Jeffery Deaver, the award winning author of 33 internationally bestselling novels, will be interviewed by broadcaster and author Mark Lawson. One of the world’s most successful thriller writers, Deaver is best known for his Lincoln Rhyme thrillers.


Special Guest: Gerald Seymour interviewed by Joe HaddowGerald Seymour was a high-profile reporter and foreign correspondent at ITN before becoming an acclaimed novelist. His ground-breaking thriller Harry’s Game was an instant hit in 1975; he recently published his 32nd book, No Mortal Thing. Joe Haddow, Producer of the BBC Radio 2 Book Club, interviews.


New BloodVal McDermid introduces her pick of the four sparkling new talents of 2016 – Martin Holmen (Clinch), JS Law (Tenacity) Beth Lewis (The Wolf Road) and Abir Mukherjee (A Rising Man).


Murder Out of AfricaHomicide figures in South Africa are akin to a country at war. NJ Cooper, Paul Mendelson, Deon Meyer, Margie Orford, Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip navigate the heart of South Africa’s darkness.


France Noir - Le Roman PolicierThe French have a certain je ne sais quoi, when it comes to the crime genre. Authors Pierre Lemaitre, Bernard Minier and SJ Parris will transport France to Harrogate with chair Barry Forshaw.

3.30pm | Tickets : £10

Special Guests – Martina Cole In Conversation with Peter JamesProgramming chair Peter James, CWA Diamond Dagger Award winner and ‘King of the police procedural’ best known for his Roy Grace detective series, will be In Conversation with hard-hitting author Martina Cole, the first British female novelist for adult audiences to surpass the £50 million sales mark.


Kill me QuickRoll-up your trousers, pop on some sun cream…* No.1 bestselling author Peter James is bringing the dark side of Brighton to Harrogate. Creator of the unstoppable Detective Roy Grace will host an evening of seaside themed food and fun. Includes 2 course murder mystery dinner and a glass of wine


Special Guest: Tess GerritsenTess Gerritsen, a physician turned author dubbed the ‘medical suspense queen’, is published in 40 countries with more than 30 million copies of her books sold worldwide.


Late Night QuizTest your criminal knowledge with quiz masters Val McDermid and Mark Billingham and vie to get your hands on the coveted quiz cup!


Sunday 24 July 2016

Political CorruptionEveryone loves a scandal - except the victims! Charles Cumming, Frank Gardner, Mark Lawson, Kate Rhodes and Gillian Slovo explore how the world of politicians has become rich fodder for the crime genre.


Special Guest: Neil Cross on LutherAward-winning novelist and screenwriter Neil Cross is best-known as the creator of the international hit BBC series, Luther, starring Idris Elba, as well as a writer on Spooks and Doctor Who.


Festival Weekend Break Packages:Make The Perfect Getaway!Treat yourself to a long weekend at the crime hot spot of the summer by booking a combined ticket and accommodation package. Stay in one of our specially selected Festival hotels and join over 80 of the world’s most celebrated crime authors in conversation, in action and in the bar!

Weekend Break packages include 3 nights’ accommodation and a Weekend Rover ticket, start from only £350 per person.

For details: www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/crime

To book, call tel: 01423 562 303or email: [email protected]

Weekend Rover Ticket

Indulge your criminal tendencies and get great value for money with a Festival Rover ticket:

Weekend Rovers include:

+ Access to all Festival events* from 8pm on

Thursday 21 July to 12.30pm on Sunday 24 July.

+ Delicious lunches at the Old Swan Hotel on Friday

and Saturday

+ A complimentary Festival goody bag

Price: £220 per person

Day Rover Ticket

Day Rovers include:

+ Access to all Festival events* throughout the day

+ A delicious lunch at the Old Swan Hotel

+ A complimentary Festival goody bag

Friday Rover (22 July) - £94 per person

Saturday Rover (23 July) - £88 per person

Box Office, tel: 01423 562 303Book Online: www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/crime

Book Online | www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.comBooking Fees Apply Box Office | 01423 562 303

Harrogate International Festivals is a registered charity, no. 244861. All information correct at time of going to print. Harrogate International Festivals reserves the right to make such alterations as may become necessary. T&Cs apply. Please see our website for details.

* Rover tickets DO NOT include the following: Creative Thursday (Thu 21 July) and Dinner event (Sat 23 July). These events must be booked separately, please check event listings for details.

HARROGATEINTERNATIONALFESTIVALS

Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival21-24 July 2016 | Harrogatehome of crime

Box Office: 01423 562 303h a r r o g a t e i n t e r n a t i o n a l f e s t i v a l s . c o m

TITLE SPONSOR

THEAKSTONS OLD PECULIER CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR PARTNERS

SUPPORTERS

HOW TO BOOKPhone: 01423 562 303Online: www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.comIn Person: Harrogate International Festivals, 32 Cheltenham Parade, Harrogate, HG1 1DB

Opening Times: Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pmPayment: Please note that all bookings are subject to a £1.75 transaction fee. A £1 fee is charged for postal orders, or we offer free ticket collection.

Featuring: Linwood BarclayMartina Cole | Neil CrossJeffery Deaver | Tess GerritsenPeter James | Val McDermidGerald Seymourand 12th Theakstons Old PeculierCrime Novel of the Year

EVENT SPONSORS

PREMIER PARTNERS

COMMUNITY PARTNER

Creative ThursdayA day-long series of crime fiction creative writing workshops focusing on how to get published.

The Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival’s creative writing course for aspiring writers. Creative Thursday gives you the chance to hone your writing skills with industry professionals and real-life crime experts.

Thursday 21 July | 9am – 5.30pm | £99 per person

2016 programme includes:

- Intensive Writing Workshop: How To Write a WhyDunnitThe psychological thriller is nothing new, although its popularity is soaring. But what elements distinguish a “WhyDunnit” within the broad and varied world of crime fiction? And how do you go about writing a successful thriller where the focus is on drama rather than punishment, and where the culprits and victims take centre stage? Award-winning writers Sarah Hilary and Alex Marwood talk you through the basics from their very different perspectives. Expect insider secrets, and tips on getting published.

-Intensive Writing Workshop: Psyche your CharacterThis session with Danuta Kean will enable you to get deep under the skin of your characters. You will experiment with your own characters, creating full, plausible people with deep back-story and related character traits. You will examine the pit-falls of over-writing a character’s quirks and issues, while finding creative ways to show and not tell the array of possibilities that an understanding of human psychology can generate.

-Intensive Writing Workshop: Turning Good Ideas into Commercial Crime NovelsWilliam Ryan and M.R. Hall will deliver a workshop aimed at writers who have completed or are working on a first draft and want to take it to the next level and for beginners aiming to turn promising ideas into great novels. Focusing on how to construct and test a solid crime fiction plot, how to make sure your characters are working together to push your story forward, how to ensure each chapter develops the story while delivering drama and tension and how to sell your book with a great opening scene.

- The Dragons’ PenFour brilliant publishing professionals. Two minutes to convince them your synopsis and first chapter are worth reading. One audience full of your fellow would-be writers. Our literary version of the popular TV show, the Dragons’ Den, is not for the faint-hearted.

DON’T MISS OUR FREE EVENTS!

Friday 22 JulyJoin the Thin Blue Spine team and experts from

Think Forensic for a Forensics Experience.Visit a crime scene, gather the evidence and examine

it using real techniques such as fingerprint lifting, shoeprints and hair and fibre analysis.

Saturday 23 JulyJoin the Crime Files team and their authors

at the Sperry Tent on as they travel around the world with some of the biggest names in

crime and thriller fiction.

theakstons old peculier crime writing festival preview 2016

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