Some of the biggest names in crime writing could be heading to Lancashire later this year, as part of the inaugural Preston Crime Fiction Festival.
It is hoped that the event will see top authors, local talent and aspiring writers all rubbing shoulders – and delighting fans of the popular genre with Q&A sessions and special readings of their work.
The gathering – which is being plotted by Preston’s very own acclaimed thriller writer, Christie J. Newport – is set to be staged at the Harris Museum and Library in September, as part of the annual Preston Arts Festival.
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Christie – whose success was spawned by the locally-set ‘Preston Murders’ series – had planned to launch the event last year, but was defeated by time and venue availability. However, that prior preparation means she already understands the potential for the festival – having previously received what she describes as “an overwhelmingly positive response from many authors, including some major names in the industry”.
Attendees will be revealed at a later date once they have been secured. The provisional schedule has been built around panel sessions that will be designed to showcase authors and revolve around particular themes.
Meanwhile, so-called ‘Noir at the Bar’ events will see writers at various stages of their careers read extracts from their novels to a live audience.
However, Christie told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the event will be about “more than books”.
“It’s about community, creativity and the belief that everyone – regardless of background, health, or circumstance – deserves to have their voice heard and their story valued,” she said.
The award-winning author – who scooped the 2021 Joffe Books Prize for Crime Writers of Colour – knows firsthand how writing festivals can provide just the injection of inspiration a budding novelist needs.
After years battling and receiving treatment for what remains ongoing and debilitating chronic illness, Christie took a trip to the Capital Crime Writing Festival in London in 2019 – an experience that finally persuaded her to go public with her own literary creations.
She made her mark on the crowded crime fiction market almost immediately – so much so that when that event was next staged in 2022, after a pandemic-enforced hiatus, Christie found herself a panel member.
“If I had never attended…I would never have dared put my work out there to be judged. Seeing people like me on stage – authors from the North, authors of colour, with disabilities, gay, bisexual, basically authors representative of our wonderfully diverse communities – gave me courage and belief.
“It was after attending that festival – my first – as a reader, that I left inspired to work hard to follow my dream of becoming a published author. I want someone to leave our festival, here in Preston, and write that book they have always dreamed of writing. I want them to hone their skills, branch out and achieve their dream.
“We, as a city, are capable of offering that to them – and isn’t that magical in itself? Preston and this festival could potentially change lives, as well as doing the most basic things – bringing fun, creativity and community to our city,” said Christie, who added that she hoped the festival would include creative writing workshops for up-and-coming authors.
Preston City Council has been won over by concept, agreeing £1,500 of funding to support the event. The authority says it has the potential to solidify the city’s reputation “for cultural leadership and innovation” – with similar festivals elsewhere having proven “transformative for communities”.
One of Christie’s publishers, Jasper Joffe, has also contributed £1,000 towards the cost of staging the festival, but she says further financial support will be required – potentially in the form of sponsorship from Preston’s business community – in order to ensure the not-for-profit event has “everything it needs to be a success”
More details about Preston Crime Fiction Festival will be released as and when they are confirmed.
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