Facts About the Fest

Since we just added some information on this page about the Theakstons Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate, it’s only fair that we also bring you new information about Britain’s other outstanding crime-fiction event, Bristol-based CrimeFest. The following release comes from CrimeFest chairs Adrian Muller and Myles Allfrey:

Midas PR is to become a sponsor of next year’s CrimeFest, Britain’s international crime-fiction convention, which is held at the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel on 19-22 May 2011.

As a sponsor, Midas will be providing their public relations services. Together with media partner The Times, this will ensure an increasingly higher profile for the annual convention.

Blackwell returns for the fourth year as the on-site bookseller. Hodder & Stoughton will launch their Mullholland Books imprint at the convention with a pre-gala drinks reception which is open to all CrimeFest delegates.

Featured guest authors include Deon Meyer, while Don Winslow will be the Toastmaster at the Gala Dinner on 21 May.

CrimeFest is quickly becoming a hugely popular date in the crime-fiction calendar, designed for people who like to read an occasional crime novel as well as for die-hard fanatics. It allows readers and authors to socialize over a weekend of panels, interviews, and its crime-writing and Pitch-an-Agent workshops. The latter--think of it as speed-dating for an agent--is a unique opportunity for aspiring authors to skip the slush-pile and to gain representation. Participating agents are Broo Doherty (Wade & Doherty Literary Agency), David Headley (DHH Literary Agency) and Camilla Wray (Darley Anderson Agency).

For the second year CrimeFest will be hosting a reception for the Crime Writers’ Association’s announcement of shortlists for their prestigious Dagger Awards.

CrimeFest will announce the winners of their own awards at their Gala Dinner:

• eDunnit Award for best crime e-book of 2010. Prize: £500 and an eReader (sponsor to be confirmed).

• Last Laugh Award for best humorous crime novel of 2010. Prize: £500, sponsored by Goldsboro Books.

• Sounds of Crime Awards for best abridged and unabridged crime audiobooks of 2010. Prize: £1,000 to be shared amongst the winners, sponsored by Audible UK.

For more information, click over to the CrimeFest Web site.