Twenty years ago, in the heart of Harrogate at the Old Swan Hotel, a festival was borne. Borne to become the home of celebrating all things crime-fiction, along with some of the best crime writers in the world. Harrogate’s Crime Writing Festival has become notorious for not only being set in a beautiful city but attracting folk from all parts of the globe. Even today, they came as far as the US and Australia!
This week, I’m at the festival!
Right now, I’m writing up this post having completed Creative Thursday: a full-day workshop packed with great opportunities to connect with other budding crime writers, pick up some tips and for some of the lucky few, pitch book ideas!
The day was split into 2 workshops, followed by Dragons’ Pen. I had no interest in participating until one of the panellists outlined what they expected.
‘I’ve got nothing to lose. I can only gain,’ I thought, so I put my name down. More on that shortly.
Seated in one of the Old Swan’s grand rooms, we were welcomed by a panel who then dived straight into self-publishing. This is a whole other ball game, where it may be a little more lucrative, but most of the selling comes down to you. However, it could help you in the long run if a traditional publishing route is what you’re seeking as a way of generating interest.
Workshop 1
This first activity was more theory-based, led by author Claire McGowan. It was packed with information and prompts throughout, suggesting tips to help ease through what is often the trickiest part of the novel: the middle! During the session, I managed to add and rework a few words to my draft: call it distraction, but I’d say that was pretty successful!
Workshop 2
After (a very carby) lunch, it was onto the trauma session. Don’t worry, it was far from that, but focused on the impact of events on your character. How would they feel? How would they react in a certain situation? One of the guys leading it was also an ex-police officer, where he is not only an author, but advisor for those seeking authenticity on police procedures in their work. Noted!
Dragons’ Pen
The day ended with a panel session led by crime novelist Mark Billingham who was joined by agents from Penguin, Bookature and Harper Collins (I think). With a 2-minute limit, we had an opportunity to pitch our book to the panel and see if it’s something they’d want to pursue.
At the start of the day, one of the panellists told us:
Are you writing? Yes. Then call yourself a writer! Be confident. In yourself and in your work. If you don’t believe in your work, why would someone else?
Whilst it didn’t get selected, I learned a lot from what agents did and didn’t want to hear in pitches, as well as offer advice for how they could shape their novels, ask questions and put forward whether it’s something they’d be open to discussing further.
A little running commentary of waiting in anticipation to hear my name called:
Du-Dum. Du-Dum. Heartbeat increase. Omg am I next? Dum. Dum. Dum. Omg mine is shocking. Okay it’s not that bad. Du-Dun. Wait, should I change it?! Oh forget it, I’m here to learn. Dum.
I wanted to go up to them at the end, but I could see how tired they were after the next person came up to them each time. I can understand they get this but also countless emails and pitches all the time. You could see the tiredness all over them! But I love seeing the same hope on other writers’ faces that I feel within my bones – you just have to find the right person who sees your vision too. And whilst you’re in a room full of literary agents, why wouldn’t you pitch to them?!
What a great first day! Stay tuned for the following few days…
Lizzie's Week 
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