Theakston Crime Writing Festival 2025
Taking My Writing Game to the UK
When bestselling crime novelist Attica Locke took the stage at the 2025 Theakston Crime Writing Festival, there was a little piece of blue sticky tape stuck to the sole of one of her flashy bright red lace-ups. We’d never met, but as an admirer of her work and in a show of sisterhood, I wanted nothing more than to run up and pull it off.
In her fabulous denim dress and rows of bracelets on each wrist, she was a picture of confidence and competence. A veteran screenwriter and crime novelist giving a bit of insight to authors, readers and newbies like me. And in no way whatsoever diminished by that little blue piece of tape.
My silly perfectionist self would just have to deal.
There’s nothing like communing with fellow writers to inspire you, and if that communing takes place in the spa town of Harrogate in North Yorkshire, famous as Agatha Christie’s refuge during her mysterious disappearance, all the better.
The Theakston Crime Festival was my first writing conference in a long time and the perfect opportunity to meet, mingle and network.
Chatting with fellow Crime Writers of Color, Persia Walker, Vaseem Khan, Yvonne Battle-Felton, Nadine Matheson and Nicola Williams was a highlight.
At the meetup for newbie attendees, UK writers Sarah Easter Collins and Jacquie Rogers gave me insight into the UK publishing world, and it was a pleasure getting to know Craig Sisterson, a London-based journalist from New Zealand who covers crime fiction.
Hill House Vintage creator, Paula Sutton, talked about her move from London to a manor house in the countryside of Norfolk with her family, and how it inspired her first novel, The Potting Shed Murder.
While at another panel, hosted by Nadine Matheson, author of The Kill List, I gleaned new tidbits about forensic science, and a fascinating discussion about paranormal and science fiction thrillers had me seeing those subgenres in a whole new light.
But back to Attica Locke, she gave an excellent talk about her background and the genesis of her latest, Guide Me Home, the last in her Highway 59 trilogy featuring Darren Matthews, a Black Texas Ranger, and I can’t wait to dive into my signed copy.
Before arriving in Harrogate, I took a two week, ad hoc train trip through the UK, from London, to Cambridge, to Scotland. More about that adventure soon.
Ahh... the curse and magic of perfectionism ( ;
My, are you a busy bee. Well done. Well done.
-- what a wonderful trip. and to get to meet ms. locke--icing on cake stuff there!