What a weekend!
This was my second time visiting the Theakston Crime Festival and Lisa kindly invited me from the team at Harrogate International Festivals for the weekend!
The sun was out, HQ Stories provided ice cream and Richard Osman left his card behind the bar for us all!
As someone who struggles with anxiety, this was a huge step for me to go alone and try to put myself more out there and speak to the publishers and authors who I discuss regularly across this site and social media accounts! I'm so glad I took the step to go, even if I was alone because everyone was so kind and chatty and I felt so at ease.
Here are some key highlights from the weekend!
The tent:
This is where everything goes on - from mini-games, free ice cream, the bar, tea, coffee, book samples and the opportunity to mingle!
I participated in the Ruth Ware - Survivor or Traitor game for her new book - One Perfect Couple! I also had the opportunity to get a photo taken in the amazing booth that had been decorated!
FYI - I was a survivor and VERY grateful for the free fan! 🥵
The DEAD GIVEAWAYS tent with Pan Macmillan:
This was THE place to be for prizes, samples, major announcements (Go Steph!), as well as being rejuvenated after the late Friday night!
I met some amazing staff from Pan Macmillan and will be forever grateful for their kindness and easing my anxiety!
I was able to watch lots of author interviews as well as the special announcement regarding Steph and her new book, this was presented by Richard Osman and yes - he is that tall in real life!
A great interview that I was able to sit and watch was with the author - C.L Miller. During the interview, she discussed writing, the pandemic lockdown, home-schooling her children during the lockdown and most importantly - the follow-up to her amazing book - The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder! I can not wait for book two and book three!
I had the opportunity to meet C.L Miller last year at the festival which was my first year going and it is great to see how far and successful she has got in 12 months!
Viking and Penguin Team:
As explained, Richard Osman was a huge presence this year at the festival, and the Viking Team did not hold back in helping promote his new book - We Solve Murders.
We were all treated to a bacon or veggie sandwich which went down very well with the rejuvenation clinic!
The library at the Old Swan Hotel was then transformed into an airport lounge! There are not enough words to explain how blown away we all were by the transformation. Proofs of the book were given out and for those lucky enough, they were signed too! I wasn't one of the lucky ones! I missed out on a proof copy and getting it signed!
Down at the Marsham tent, the Headline team were doing lots of events and celebrating lots of authors and new books. I was able to meet the author - Asia Mackay and have the opportunity to discuss her new book - A Serial Killers Guide to Marriage.
Alongside the book signing was the most incredible game - think pin the tail on the donkey but this time with a suit and dress but with a twist!
The prosecco and orange juice flowed, the sun was shining and it was so lovely to meet the Headline team!
Other key highlights included:
The Waterstones pop-up shop!
"You're Nicked, Harrogate Custody Centre" immersive experience
Many live panel shows with authors
Liz Nugent pop-up and book signing!
I met so many great people during the weekend and had the opportunity to speak to so many publishers! Thank you so much to team Harrogate International Festivals for the most amazing weekend and opportunity!
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