Crimefest 2013 Site
Links:
Welcome Page
Participants
Programme
Awards
Workshops
Trips
Updates

Return to Main CrimeFest Site

PAST CRIMEFEST NEWSLETTERS:

Monday, 06 May 2013

Hi all,

This is the last newsletter for this year's CRIMEFEST. (Registered delegates will be receiving one or more updates in the next week or two.)

- CRIMEFEST (ALMOST) SOLD OUT
- CRIMEFEST 2013 AWARDS SHORTLISTS
- NORDICANA: CALLING ALL SCANDINAVIAN CRIME FICTION FANS
- CLASSIC CRIME GIVE-AWAY
- LINDSEY DAVIS: FALCO, THE NEXT GENERATION
- REBUS MEETS GRACE IN CRIME COLLABORATION

CRIMEFEST (ALMOST) SOLD OUT
We are delighted to announce that this year's convention looks like it will sell out for the second year.
With exception of the few extra tickets for the Jeffery Deaver seminar and Saturday, which we released in the last week, all the day and full passes, as well as the Creating Sherlock tickets have now sold out. The Saturday Pass includes the Creating Sherlock panel with Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat and Sue Vertue, so if you want to attend, then hurry and REGISTER before these go too!
Tickets for CRIMEFEST 2014 (15 - 18 May) will go on sale in the second week of June, so register at the early bird price of £110 as the prices will incrementally go up to £150 - if we don't sell out before doing so.

CRIMEFEST 2013 AWARDS SHORTLISTS
The CRIMEFEST team would like to congratulate all the nominees of the following award shortlists. (The winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner on 1 June.)

Audible Sounds of Crime Award
The Audible Sounds of Crime Award recognises the best crime audiobook published in both print and audio in 2012. Courtesy of sponsor Audible UK, the winning author and audiobook reader share the £1,000 prize equally and each receives a commemorative Bristol Blue Glass vase.

The nominees are:
- Michael Connelly for The Black Box read by Michael McConnohie (Orion Audio)
- John Grisham for The Racketeer read by J.D. Jackson (Hodder & Stoughton)
- Peter May for The Lewis Man read by Peter Forbes (Quercus)
- Jo Nesbø for Phantom read by Sean Barrett (Random House with Isis Publishing)
- Ian Rankin for Standing In Another Man's Grave read by James MacPherson (Orion Audio)

Eligible titles were submitted by publishers for the longlist, and Audible UK listeners established the shortlist and the winning title.

Goldsboro Last Laugh Award
The Goldsboro Last Laugh Award is for the best humorous crime novel of 2012. The £500 prize is sponsored by Goldsboro Books, the book collector's bookseller. The winner also receives a commemorative Bristol Blue Glass vase.

The nominees are:
- Colin Bateman for The Prisoner of Brenda (Headline)
- Simon Brett for The Corpse on the Court (Severn House)
- Declan Burke for Slaughter's Hound (Liberties Press)
- Ruth Dudley Edwards for Killing The Emperors (Allison & Busby)
- Christopher Fowler for Bryant & May and the Invisible Code (Doubleday, Transworld)
- Hesh Kestin for The Iron Will of Shoeshine Cats (Mulholland Books, Hodder & Stoughton)

Eligible titles were submitted by publishers for the longlist, and a team of British crime fiction reviewers voted to establish the shortlist and the winning title.

eDunnit Award
The eDunnit Award is for the best crime fiction ebook published in 2012 in both hardcopy and in electronic format. The winning author receives £500, an eReader, as well as a commemorative Bristol Blue Glass vase.

The nominees are:
- Andrea Camilleri for The Age of Doubt (Mantle, Macmillan)
- Ruth Dudley Edwards for Killing The Emperors (Allison & Busby)
- Christopher Fowler for Bryant & May and the Invisible Code (Transworld)
- C.J. Sansom for Dominion (Mantle, Macmillan)

Eligible titles were submitted by publishers for the longlist, and a team of British crime fiction reviewers voted to establish the shortlist and the winning title.

H.R.F. Keating Award
The H.R.F. Keating Award is for the best biography or critical book related to crime fiction published between 2008 and 2012. The award is named for Harry Keating, who died in 2011, one of Britain's most esteemed crime novelists, a reviewer for The Times, and writer of books about crime fiction. The winning author receives a commemorative Bristol Blue Glass vase.

The nominees are:
- Declan Burke & John Connolly for Books to Die For (Hodder & Stoughton, 2012)
- John Curran for Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks (HarperCollins, 2009)
- Barry Forshaw (editor) for British Crime Writing: an Encyclopaedia (Greenwood World Publishing, 2008)
- Christopher Fowler for Invisible Ink (Strange Attractor, 2012)
- Maxim Jakubowski (editor) for Following the Detectives (New Holland Publishers, 2010)
- P.D. James for Talking about Detective Fiction (The Bodleian Library, 2009)

Eligible titles were collated by author and crime fiction expert Martin Edwards, and from submissions by CRIMEFEST newsletter subscribers. A team of British crime fiction reviewers voted to establish the shortlist and the winning title.

NORDICANA: CALLING ALL SCANDINAVIAN CRIME FICTION FANS
Nordicana (15-16 June) is a unique event, which will bring together the enthusiastic and dedicated fans of Nordic Noir's superlative TV shows, films and crime novels for a two-day celebration. Nordicana, in association with Arrow Films' Nordic Noir label and the global English Pen literary network, will play host to the stars of the hugely popular BBC Four TV series' and bestselling authors with exclusive premieres, panel discussions, signings, retail stands, food and drink and much more. The venue is The Farmiloe Building 34-35 St. John Street, London, EC1. For more information visit the Nordicana website.

CLASSIC CRIME GIVE-AWAY
CRIMEFEST's annual Forgotten Authors panel is one of the convention's most popular events. Sadly, many of the writers discussed are no longer in print and their books can be hard to find. Fortunately classic crime is making a comeback with the help of electronic publishing and Bloomsbury's Reader imprint is releasing some of these great 'forgotten' titles as ebooks. Proving that well written books are timeless in their appeal, classic crime reigns in releases such from Margery Allingham's The White Cottage Mystery, to A Lighthearted Quest by Ann Bridge, and Edmund Crispin's The Glimpses of the Moon. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Reader, newsletter subscribers can enter a give-away to win one of ten classic crime ebooks. To enter, simply send your name toinfo@bloomsburyreader.com quoting 'Classic Crime' in the subject line and your name and preferred title from the selection at the website in the body of the email. The closing date for this competition is 31st May 2013. (Please note that by providing your email address you opt in to receive occasional emails from Bloomsbury Reader regarding their crime fiction titles.)  

LINDSEY DAVIS: FALCO, THE NEXT GENERATION
Fans of Lindsey Davis will be excited to hear that her next Falco novel, The Ides of April, will be published just a few weeks before her attendance at  CRIMEFEST. However, there is a slight twist to the tale: it is the first in a new series featuring Flavia Albia, the daughter of Marcus Didius Falco.

REBUS MEETS GRACE IN CRIME COLLABORATION
Two of crime's biggest names will work together for the first time next year when Peter James and Ian Rankin have their most famous creations - DS Roy Grace and DI John Rebus - teaming up to look into a long-unsolved murder. In the Nick of Time will be included in a charity short story collection by the International Thriller Writers association. The anthology will be published in the US in July 2014, and we'll let you know when a British edition is published.

That's it until next time.

We look forward to seeing many of you in Bristol later this month!

Myles Allfrey, Donna Moore and Adrian Muller,
CRIMEFEST co-hosts.

Tuesday, 19 March 2013.

Hi all,

- FULL PASS PRICE INCREASE
- SHERLOCK COMES TO CRIMEFEST!
- JEFFERY DEAVER THRILLER SEMINAR/PITCH-AN-AGENT
- CRIMEFEST VIDEO
- NAME THE NON-FICTION AWARD COMPETITION
- PETRONA AWARD
- BLACKWELL BACK AS CRIMEFEST BOOKSELLER
- DANA STABENOW FREE ON KINDLE AND KOBO
- THE GUARDIAN IS MAPPING FAVOURITE BOOKSTORES
- AND FINALLY… NUDGE ME NOW

FULL PASS PRICE INCREASE
Before we get to the rest of a news, just a brief warning that the cost of a full CRIMEFEST pass goes up to £140 on 31 March. In view of the news below, the time to BUY TICKETS is now!

SHERLOCK COMES TO CRIMEFEST!
CRIMEFEST is honoured to announce it will host 'Creating Sherlock', a panel with the makers of the international hit crime drama Sherlock. Participating will be Mark Gatiss, actor (Mycroft Holmes), author and series co-creator; producer and co-creator Steven Moffat; and producer Sue Vertue. In addition to Sherlock, the three have worked on some of the most popular programmes on television: Coupling; Gimme, Gimme, Gimme; The League of Gentlemen; Mr. Bean; Poirot; The Vicar of Dibley; and, last but by no means least, Doctor Who! The event will take place on Saturday, 1 June, 13:40 - 14:30, and is included in the Full and Saturday CRIMEFEST passes. A limited number of £15 tickets are available for just the panel at BUY TICKETS.

JEFFERY DEAVER THRILLER SEMINAR/PITCH-AN-AGENT
Amazingly, tickets for both these events started selling even before they were announced in the last newsletter. Less than half the Pitch-an-Agent spaces remain, and we are considering moving Jeffery Deaver’s thriller writing seminar to a larger room to accommodate interest.
Consider Pitch-an-Agent speed-dating for an agent, as each participant has the opportunity to pitch to each of the three participating agents. For more information about the agents – their clients include Lee Child, Paul Doherty and Paul Johnston – or the event, visit the PITCH-AN-AGENT page.
As part of this year’s CRIMEFEST Crime Writing Workshop, international bestselling author Jeffery Deaver is giving a thriller writing seminar. The workshop includes the opportunity for up to twenty-five aspiring crime novelists to sign up for a fifteen minute one-on-one assessment of a manuscript. Crime writer Janet Laurence will be in charge of the assessments. The crime writing workshop does not require participants to register for CRIMEFEST. However, workshop participants and delegates wishing to attend will be offered a 25% discount. (Delegates who have already registered for a full weekend pass and who wish to attend the seminar should sign up and then contact CRIMEFEST for a refund.) For more information visit the WORKSHOP page. To participate in Pitch-an-Agent or to attend the Deaver seminar go to BUY TICKETS.

CRIMEFEST VIDEO
A video with CRIMEFEST 2012 highlights is now available on the WELCOME and CRIMEFEST VIDEO pages. The CRIMEFEST VIDEO page also includes footage of Frederick Forsyth and P.D. James filmed during last year’s convention. The 2012 highlights features interviews with Lee Child, Jeffery Deaver and Sue Grafton, and spot-them-if-you-can shots of Stav Sherez, Sophie Hannah, William Ryan, Andrew Taylor, Thomas Enger, CRIMEFEST interviewer and Britain’s leading crime fiction expert Barry Forshaw, and many, many delegates. So, check out the video and see if you are included as well.

NAME THE NON-FICTION AWARD COMPETITION
As announced in the last newsletter, CRIMEFEST will be presenting an award for the best biographical or critical books related to crime fiction published for the first time in the United Kingdom from 2007-2012. We are relying on newsletter recipients to come up with a better name than ‘Non-Fiction Crime Award’. Are you up for the challenge? Are you interested in winning a selection of crime books, audio books and DVDs? If so, then please send your suggestions to competition@crimefest.com with 'non-fiction' in the subject line, and your suggestion in the body of the email. The deadline is Friday, 29 March.
We also need your help with collating eligible titles. We already have listed some well-deserving titles on the CRIMEFEST AWARDS page such as Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks, British Crime Writing: an Encyclopaedia and Following the Detectives. Do you think one of these books should win, or do you have other suggestions? Please check the longlisted entries and if you know of any other eligible titles, feel free to send them to suggestions@crimefest.com with 'non-fiction' in the subject line, and your suggestion in the body of the email. The deadline is Friday, 29 March.

PETRONA AWARD
Talking of awards, CRIMEFEST is honoured to be the venue for the inaugural presentation of the Petrona Award for the best Scandinavian crime novel translated into English. The award has been set up to honour the memory of Maxine Clarke, who blogged and reviewed as Petrona, and who was passionate about translated crime fiction but Scandinavian crime in particular. The shortlist for the 2013 award, which is based on Maxine's reviews and ratings, is as follows:
- Pierced by Thomas Enger, translator Charlotte Barslund (Faber and Faber)
- Black Skies by Arnaldur Indridason, translator Victoria Cribb (Harvill Secker)
- Last Will by Liza Marklund, translator Neil Smith (Corgi)
- Another Time, Another Life by Leif GW Persson, translator Paul Norlen (Doubleday)
The winning title will be announced at CRIMEFEST, and the author receives a full pass and panel place at next year's convention (15-18 May, 2014). For more information visit the Petrona website.

BLACKWELL'S BACK AS CRIMEFEST BOOKSELLER
We are delighted that Blackwell's returns as the onsite CRIMEFEST bookseller. Richard Reynolds will once again be in charge of the book orders. For more information visit INFO FOR AUTHORS & PUBLISHERS page.

DANA STABENOW FREE ON KINDLE AND KOBO
US author Dana Stabenow has written a number of superb and highly successful Alaska-based crime novels, and they are finally being published in Britain by Head of Zeus. We are thrilled that Dana will be attending CRIMEFEST during her first promotional UK visit, and readers might be interested to know that the first instalment of her Kate Shugak series, A Cold Day for Murder, is available as a free download from the Amazon and Kobo webstores. Read the first and be sure to buy the rest and read them in order!

THE GUARDIAN IS MAPPING FAVOURITE BOOKSTORES
Do you have a favourite bookshop that you want to share with fellow readers? Then you will be interested in Mapping the Literary Landscape, a project set up by The Guardian. The aim is to map the most loved bookshops in an interactive, literary map. Do your bit to highlight and support your favourite independent bookshops and visit The Guardian for more information.

AND FINALLY… NUDGE ME NOW
The Nudge Network (at nudgemenow.com) is a great new website focused (largely) on books. The network has a number of dedicated channels, one of which is Book Noir. Despite the ‘noir’ in the name, you will find everything here from the cosiest cosy to, yes, the noirest of noir. And lots more, such as a useful Apple app that has fortnightly updates with the top stories and content from the previous two weeks. Visit the Nudge Network to find out more.

Until next time,

Myles Allfrey, Donna Moore and Adrian Muller,
CRIMEFEST co-hosts.

Tuesday, 5 March 2013.

Hi all,

If you are wondering whether you have missed out on the third newsletter, then rest assured: newsletter 3 was mistakenly sent out as number 2 on 14 January. So here is newsletter 4.

- CRIMEFEST PROGRAMME NOW ONLINE
- HOTEL ROOMS SELLING OUT
- JEFFERY DEAVER IS CRIME WRITING WORKSHOP GUEST LECTURER
- PITCH-AN-AGENT
- PUB QUIZ & GALA DINNER
- CRIMEFEST INTRODUCES NON-FICTION AWARD
- LEE CHILD TO RECEIVE THE CWA DIAMOND DAGGER
- M.R. HALL'S FREE (!) ONLINE CRIME WRITING COURSE
- CRIMEFEST ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER

CRIMEFEST PROGRAMME NOW ONLINE
Some additions and amendments are likely to be made, but the PROGRAMME of interviews and panels is now online. It includes many favourite events such as Forgotten Authors (sponsored byMulholland Books and including Leslie Charteris), the CRIMEFEST Pub Quiz, the Crime Writers’ Association’s Dagger Shortlist Announcement Reception, the Gala Dinner and CRIMEFEST award presentations; and, if we can find crime novelists brave enough to participate, the closing Criminal Mastermind Quiz. There will be an interview with our Featured Guest Author and Toastmaster Robert Goddard; and two 'In Conversation's with William McIlvanney & Denise Mina discussing Tartan Noir, and Felix Francis & Samantha Norman talking about continuing the work of their respective parentsDick Francis and Ariana Franklin. Of course, there will also be an sleuth of panels with wide variety of topics and panellists that include new, established and international best-selling authors. For a full line up visit the AUTHORS & DELEGATES page. BUY TICKETS now to attend.

HOTEL ROOMS SELLING OUT
As we indicated in the previous newsletter, the CRIMEFEST convention hotel, the Bristol Marriott Royal, has now sold out of rooms for some nights. We have, however, been able to reserve a limited block of rooms at another four-star hotel, less than two minutes away. The discount codes are only sent to delegates after they have registered to ensure that only attendees have access to the limited room block. So, if you wish to stay at one of the recommended four-star hotels BUY TICKETS as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you have already registered but are unable to find the email with the discount codes we sent you, then please contact us at info@crimefest.com.

JEFFERY DEAVER IS CRIME WRITING WORKSHOP GUEST LECTURER
We are delighted to announce that international best-selling author Jeffery Deaver will be the lecturer at this year's CRIMEFEST crime writing workshop on Thursday, 30 May. The two-and-a-half hour long seminar - which includes a thirty-minute tea break - covers all the elements of crafting a first-class thriller as well as some aspects of the business of writing. The event allows for some interaction but does not require participants to complete writing exercises. This is a unique opportunity for both established novelists with an interest in the genre as well as hesitant aspiring writers. The crime writing workshop does not require participants to register for CRIMEFEST. However, workshop participants and delegates wishing to attend will be offered a 25% discount. (Delegates who have already registered for a full weekend pass and who wish to attend the seminar should sign up and then contact CRIMEFEST for a refund.)
The workshop includes the opportunity for up to twenty-five aspiring crime novelists to sign up for a fifteen minute one-on-one assessment of a manuscript. Crime writer Janet Laurence will be in charge of the assessments.
All the one-on-one assessments slots have previously sold out, so BUY TICKETS early to avoid disappointment. Cost of the crime writing seminar, including refreshments during the break, is £100. For more information visit the WORKSHOP/PITCH-AN-AGENT page.

PITCH-AN-AGENT
Are you an aspiring author looking for an agent? If so, CRIMEFEST is pleased to announce that it will once again be hosting the Pitch-an-Agent strand in 2013. Top agents will be at CRIMEFEST and aspiring crime writers will have ten minutes to pitch their manuscripts to them. Consider it speed dating for an agent! Authors represented by these agencies include Lee Child, Martina Cole, John Connolly, Paul Doherty, Tana French and Paul Johnston. Pitch-an-Agent is only open to delegates who have not previously participated, are not commercially published, are without an agent and who have registered for a day or full CRIMEFEST Pass. For more information about Pitch-an-Agent and the agents, visit the WORKSHOP/PITCH-AN-AGENT page. There are only a limited number of places and these have sold out in previous years so BUY TICKETS to avoid disappointment. A Pitch-an-Agent slot costs £35 in addition to the required day or full pass.

PUB QUIZ & GALA DINNER
The 2012 Thursday evening Pub Quiz was a huge success, and we anticipate it being so again this year. The event is open to all registered delegates, and this year the quiz will have a theme. To celebrate their 60th anniversary, all the questions will be related to the Crime Writers' Association. Tickets for the optional £15 meal deal are now on sale. BUY TICKETS before 24 May to receive a complimentary glass of wine, pint of beer or soft drink with your meal of choice: chicken curry, pie & mash (vegetarian version available), sausage & mash (vegetarian version available) or vegetable noodles. Again, the meal deal is not a requirement to participate in the Pub Quiz, but meals on the night are subject to availability and do not include the complimentary refreshment.
Last year the tickets sold out for the Gala Dinner. If you haven't reserved your place already, we suggest you BUY TICKETS now. This year's Toastmaster is crime novelist extraordinaire Robert Goddard, master of the clever twist. The meal options are:
- Char-grilled aubergine filled with vegetable ratatouille served with tomato and basil sauce (vegetarian option)
- Pan-fried fillet of hake, chive rosti, creamed leeks and white wine & mussel sauce (mussels are optional)
- Roasted lamb rump, dauphinoise potatoes, green beans wrapped in pancetta and red wine jus
The dinner will also include the presentation of the Audible Sounds of Crime Award for Best Unabridged Crime Audiobook; the Goldsboro Last Laugh Award for Best Humorous Crime Novel; the eDunnit Award for Best Crime eBook; and a new non-fiction award for best biographical or critical book related to crime fiction.

NON FICTION AWARD (WE NEED YOUR HELP)
In recent years the Crime Writers’ Association’s Non-Fiction Dagger has been focused on true crime and, as a result, some truly great biographical and critical crime fiction related publications have been overlooked. With the agreement of the CWA, CRIMEFEST will be presenting one of these books with an award at this year's Gala Dinner. Eligible are biographical or critical books related to crime fiction published for the first time in the United Kingdom in 2007 - 2012.
We need your help with various aspects relating to this award. In the past, newsletter subscribers have come up with the inventive names for the eDunnit and Sounds of Crime Awards. We think you can do so again for this new award. The winner will receive a selection of books, audiobooks and/or DVDs. Please send your name suggestions to competition@crimefest.com with 'non-fiction' in the subject line, and your suggestion in the body of the email. The deadline is Friday, 29 March.
We also need your help with collating eligible titles. We already have listed some well-deserving titles on the CRIMEFEST AWARDS page. Please check the longlisted entries and, if you have any suggestions for additional titles, please send them to suggestions@crimefest.com with 'non-fiction' in the subject line, and your suggestion in the body of the email. The deadline is Friday, 29 March.

LEE CHILD TO RECEIVE THE CWA DIAMOND DAGGER
The Crime Writers' Association recently announced that Lee Child is to receive the 2013 Diamond Dagger for sustained excellence in and a significant contribution to crime fiction. The CRIMEFEST team would like to congratulate Lee on this well earned award which will be presented at a CWA Gala Dinner in July. Sadly, due to other commitments, Lee is unable to accept CRIMEFEST's traditional invitation to be interviewed and celebrate this honour with readers at this year's convention. However, fans will be able to congratulate Lee in person when he appears at this year's Harrogate Crime Writing Festival, 18 - 21 July.

M.R. HALL'S FREE (!) ONLINE CRIME WRITING COURSE
If you can't make it to CRIMEFEST's crime writing workshop, then this might be an alternative (or why not do both!). Crime writer M.R. Hall (author of the crime novels featuring Bristol coroner Jenny Cooper) and script writer (Kavanagh QC, New Street Law, Wing and a Prayer, etc) is launching a free online crime writing course with an accompanying competition. 'Seven Secrets of Successful Crime Writing' comprises a series of weekly videos, each covering a different aspect of crime writing. Each week there will also be a detailed worksheet and podcasts. From the opening date of 11 March, writers will be able to upload the first chapter of their crime novel to a Facebook page. At the end of the course, there will be a competition for the budding crime writers, with prizes including an intensive two-day writing course at Goldsboro Books in central London, hosted by Hall and author William Ryan. Hall will judge entries, alongside Mantle publisher Maria Rejt and editor Sophie Orme. Details can be found at www.facebook.com/MRHallAuthor.

CRIMEFEST ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER
Please help us make this year's CRIMEFEST a great one. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@CrimeFest) and spread the word. If you would like to promote CRIMEFEST by including a logo on your site or blog, then you can find one on our MEDIA INFO page.

Until next time,

Myles Allfrey, Donna Moore and Adrian Muller,
CRIMEFEST co-hosts.

Monday, 14 January 2013.

Hi all,

We hope you all had a good end to 2012!

Following are some important announcements and reminders:

- AUDIBLE AND GOLDSBORO CONTINUE THEIR AWARD SPONSORSHIP
- LIMITED SNEAK PEEK OF CRIMEFEST PROMO VIDEO
- CRIMEFEST REGISTRATION INCREASE
- CRIMEFEST TRIPS PRICE INCREASE
- CRIMEFEST HOTEL SELLING OUT
- MILLION FOR A MORGUE'S COOKBOOK SHORTLISTED
- EVENTBRITE REGISTRATION PROBLEMS AND LINK TO LAST NEWSLETTER

AUDIBLE AND GOLDSBORO CONTINUE THEIR AWARD SPONSORSHIP
We are delighted that Audible UK and Goldsboro Books are continuing their much appreciated sponsorship of two CRIMEFEST Awards. The Sounds of Crime Award goes to the Best Unabridged Crime Audio Book of 2012. Courtesy of Audible UK, Britain's largest provider of downloadable audiobooks, the winning author and reader will share the £1,000 cash prize and also each receive a Bristol Blue Glass commemorative award. Goldsboro, the book collector's bookseller, is again sponsoring the £500 cash prize for the Best Humorous Crime Novel of 2012. The winning author also receives a Bristol Blue Glass commemorative award. Goldsboro Books is the United Kingdom's leading crime fiction bookseller, and specialises in first edition and signed books.
For the longslists of the Audible Sounds of Crime, Goldsboro Last Laugh and eDunnit Awards visit the CRIMEFEST AWARDS page.

LIMITED SNEAK PEEK OF CRIMEFEST PROMO VIDEO
Thanks to international filmmaker Ben Dornan, the CRIMEFEST website will soon include a promo film shot during the 2012 convention. Until 18 January only, newsletter recipients can get a sneak peek by clicking HERE.

CRIMEFEST REGISTRATION INCREASE
Due to the lateness of this reminder, we are extending the 14 January CRIMEFEST registration increase until 18 January. The full registration goes up £10 to £130 and includes admittance to all panels, interviews and at least one reception, as well as a delegate bag with books and a programme. (The price of the Full Pass will incrementally go up to £150.) Go to AUTHORS & DELEGATES for a details of participating authors. To beat the price hike register at BUY TICKETS.

CRIMEFEST TRIPS PRICE INCREASE
Due to the lateness of this reminder, we are extending the 14 January registration   increase for the CRIMEFEST trips until 18 January. To turn CRIMEFEST into a full-blown holiday, or to go on day trips, why not book one or more of the unique CRIMEFEST trips. Most of the 2013 pre-convention activities  will be in London, with the four-star Rubens Hotel as the base. Speakers include Frances Fyfield and Peter Guttridge, as well as art fraud specialist Richard Ellis and Agatha Christie expert John Curran. In the company of Blue Badge qualified tour guides follow in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes or go on the Intelligence Trail; visit the Wallace Collection, Lincoln's Inn, Middle Temple, Fleet Street and the Old Bailey. Trips outside London include visits to Cambridge, Stonehenge, Berkeley Castle and Greenway, Agatha Christie's Devon home. The price of the full package goes up on 18 January. Most of the day trips can also be booked individually. For full details or to register visit the TRIPS/WHAT TO DO page.

CRIMEFEST HOTEL SELLING OUT
Some of the discounted CRIMEFEST nights at the Bristol Marriott Hotel were close to selling out. We have increased the block-booking but, if you wish to stay at the convention hotel during CRIMEFEST we suggest you register soon to avoid disappointment. To register visit the BUY TICKETS page. To ensure that the discounted convention rooms only go to registered CRIMEFEST delegates we only issue the discount code following registration. If you have registered for CRIMEFEST but have not yet received the discount code, email us at info@crimefest.com. For details about other (budget) hotels visit the WHERE TO STAY.

MILLION FOR A MORGUE'S COOKBOOK SHORTLISTED
Following the launch reception at last year’s CRIMEFEST for Dundee University's Million For A Morgue fundraising campaign, Caro Ramsay came up with an idea to raise even further funds: The Killer Cookbook. The cook book, which features recipes from the likes of Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Jeffery Deaver, is one of five books on the shortlist for the 'Best Charity and Fund Raising in Europe' category in the World Cookbook Awards. The winners will be announced at Carrousel Du Louvre in Paris on Saturday February 23rd. All monies raised from sales of the book go to the Million For A Morgue campaign, which aims to raise a million pounds to help the University of Dundee build a world-leading forensic centre. Copies are available at The Killer Cookbook page at the Million For A Morgue website, from Amazon and all good bookshops.

EVENTBRITE REGISTRATION PROBLEMS AND LINK TO LAST NEWSLETTER
In case you missed the last newsletter, announcing Robert Goddard as a 2013 Featured Guest Author and Toastmaster at the CRIMEFEST Award Dinner, ongoing (!) Eventbrite registration problems, or any other of the previous newsletters, you can always find them in the CRIMEFEST ARCHIVE.

With best wishes for 2013,

Myles Allfrey, Donna Moore and Adrian Muller,
CRIMEFEST co-hosts.

Friday, 21 December 2012.

Hi all,

It is not too late to buy someone - or yourself - the gift of crime for Christmas! Go to BUY TICKETS to register before the January 15 price increase.

Here is the latest update for CRIMEFEST 2013:

- ROBERT GODDARD TO BE FEATURED GUEST AUTHOR/TOASTMASTER
- AUTHORS-IN-CONVERSATION
- PARTICIPATING AUTHORS
- REGISTRATION DIFFICULTIES
- CRIMEFEST TRIPS WITH FRANCES FYFIELD AND PETER GUTTRIDGE
- CRIMEFEST AWARDS
- GIVE-AWAYS (FREE BOOKS AND AUDIO BOOKS)
- THE CRIME VAULT

ROBERT GODDARD TO BE FEATURED GUEST AUTHOR/TOASTMASTER
We are thrilled to announce that Robert Goddard is to be a Featured Guest Author and Toastmaster at CRIMEFEST 2013! By next year the award-winning author,  known as the master of the clever twist, will have celebrated twenty-seven years in the business, writing twenty-three bestselling novels—most of them psychological suspense—in that time. His most recent title, Fault Line, was published earlier this year.

AUTHORS-IN-CONVERSATION
Next year's authors-in-conversation will be William McIlvanney & Denise Mina, and Felix Francis & Samantha Norman. William, arguably best know for the groundbreaking crime novel Laidlaw, and Denise, winner of CRIMEFEST's 2012 eDunnit Award for The End of the Wasp Season, will be talking about Tartan Noir. Felix Francis & Samantha Norman will be discussing how they keep their parents' legacy going. Felix, having co-written his father Dick Francis' final books, successfully continues on his own. Samantha Norman is a new name, and she has completed her mother Ariana Franklin's last novel.

PARTICIPATING AUTHORS
Nearly all our participating authors are now listed on the AUTHORS & PARTICIPANTS page. Recent additions include Charles Cumming, the winner of the 2012 Steel Dagger for Best Thriller for A Foreign Country. (For details of the other Dagger Awards visit the Crime Writers' Association website.) Also, in early 2013 the CWA will be announcing the recipient of their Diamond Dagger for a sustained achievement in crime writing. As always CRIMEFEST will offer him or her the opportunity to celebrate the honour with their readers at the convention.

REGISTRATION DIFFICULTIES
We are aware that some delegates are experiencing difficulties when trying to register for multiple tickets for CRIMEFEST 2013. Despite having made Eventbrite, our online ticket-seller, aware of this at the very beginning of November, they have not yet resolved the problem. Eventbrite have said—on multiple occasions—that they are doing everything they can to fix the error. In the meantime, if you have experienced, or do experience, difficulties when trying to register, do email us at info@crimefest.com and we will try to help you.

CRIMEFEST TRIPS WITH FRANCES FYFIELD AND PETER GUTTRIDGE
As announced in the previous newsletter (visit the CRIMEFEST ARCHIVE), this year's pre-convention trips focus on London. (Of course there will also be the post-CRIMEFEST Agatha Christie trip that includes a unique private tour of the Queen of Crime's Greenway home with Christie expert John Curran.) Two new speakers added to the trips are Peter Guttridge and Frances Fyfield. Peter, who has published an originalenovella called The Belgian and the Beekeeper, will join delegates at the Sherlock Holmes pub on the 'Mystery Writers' London' trip. And Frances, a former barrister, makes a rare public appearance, participating on the 'Legal London' trip. Fans will also be delighted to know that Gold Digger, her first novel in three years, was published last month. Other CRIMEFEST excursions include 'Criminal Cambridge' and 'Art Fraud & Theft + Spooks & Spies'. For more information visit the TRIPS/WHAT TO DO page. 

CRIMEFEST AWARDS
Information with submission guidelines for the CRIMEFEST Awards was sent to publishers in November, and the longlist with entries received so far will be up soon on the website. Shortlisted titles for the eDunnit Award for Best Crime eBook of 2012, the Last Laugh Award for Best Humorous Crime Novel of 2012, and the Sounds of Crime Award for Best Unabridged Crime Audiobook will be announced in early 2013. The winners will be announced at the CRIMEFEST Award Dinner on 1 June.

GIVE-AWAYS (FREE BOOKS AND AUDIO BOOKS)
We have two give-aways this month. Before Stieg Larsson, before Jo Nesbo and before Henning Mankell there were Sjöwall & Wahlöö, the Swedish husband and wife team who in the 1970s were arguably responsible for the first international spike in popularity of translated Scandinavian crime fiction. Their procedurals featuring policeman Martin Beck have been dramatised for BBC radio with Steven Mackintosh in the lead. Courtesy of AudioGO we have one set of five CDs to give away. To enter, send an email with CRIMEFEST give-away in the subject line to publicity@audiogo.co.uk by 11 January.

Barry Forshaw's increasing list of excellent books about crime fiction is taking a detour by putting British Crime Film under the microscope. Palgrave Macmillan have given us three copies of Barry’s book to give away. To enter, send an email with British Crime Film in the subject line to competition@crimefest.com by 11 January.

THE CRIME VAULT
Little, Brown UK have recently set up a website dedicated to their crime ebooks. For more information about their titles, authors and competitions visit The Crime Vault!

Finally, a last reminder that the CRIMEFEST registration fee goes up on 15 January. So BUY TICKETS now to beat the price increase!

With best wishes for the Festive Season to you all!

Until next time

Myles Allfrey, Donna Moore and Adrian Muller,
CRIMEFEST co-hosts.

Thursday, 18 October 2012.

Hi all,

We have already sold more than 120 full CRIMEFEST passes, more than we sold by this time last year. So, there is a possibility that we may sell out again in 2013! To avoid disappointment and the upcoming £10 price increase, BUY TICKETS now.

This month's topics:
- PARTICIPATING CRIMEFEST AUTHORS
- CONVENTION HOTEL
- CRIMEFEST TRIPS - LONDON
- CRIMEFEST CRIME WRITING DAY
- CRIMEFEST FLASHBANG COMPETITION
- CRIMEFEST & THE RNIB
- MILLION FOR A MORGUE + THE KILLER COOKBOOK
- GOLDSBORO'S LEE CHILD GIVE-AWAY (FREE BOOKS)
- CRIME THRILLER AWARDS

PARTICIPATING CRIMEFEST AUTHORS
To see which authors have signed up to date, please visit the AUTHORS & DELEGATES page. So far, participants include two CWA Dagger winners, Aly Monroe and Steve Mosby, as well as twoCRIMEFEST 2012 Award Winners, Declan Burke and Denise Mina. We continue to highlight translated crime fiction as MacLehose Press—the  publisher that brought you Stieg Larsson—is bringing over four international authors to celebrate its fifth anniversary. The Norwegian Embassy has once again generously sponsored the participation of three further authors, and Ann Cleeves meets two of her foreign translators on a CRIMEFESTpanel courtesy of the British Centre for Literary Translation. Details of more authors and proposed panels in future newsletters.

CONVENTION HOTEL
By now, everybody who has registered for CRIMEFEST 2013 should have received the discount code for the convention hotel, the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel. (The discount details are emailed to delegates after they have registered.) The room rates—including a buffet breakfast—are £96 for single occupancy, and £120 double occupancy. Despite price increases everywhere else, we have negotiated with the Marriott for their prices to remain unchanged for the third year running, and this includes the Saturday Awards Dinner! This year's main course choices are:
- Char-grilled aubergine filled with vegetable ratatouille served with tomato and basil sauce (vegetarian option)
- Pan-fried fillet of hake, chive rosti, creamed leeks and white wine & mussel sauce (the mussels are optional)
- Roasted lamb rump, dauphinoise potatoes, green beans wrapped in pancetta and red wine jus
The CRIMEFEST WHERE TO STAY page also lists budget hotel details.

CRIMEFEST TRIPS – LONDON
As always, Tours of Discovery are organising trips for CRIMEFEST delegates who wish to make their convention experience an extended holiday. (Of course there is also the possibility of enjoying one or more of the excursions as individual day trips.) This year’s main focus is on London, and the topics for the outings include Art Fraud & Theft, Criminal Cambridge, Legal London and Spooks & Spies. As in previous years the outings conclude with Agatha Christie’s Devon and a unique, private tour of the Queen of Crime’s Greenway home. The tour guide will be Christie expert John Curran, author of Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks and Agatha Christie's Murder in the Making: Stories and Secrets from Her Archive. For details visit the TRIPS/WHAT TO DO page.

CRIMEFEST CRIME WRITING DAY
Due to the success of our crime writing workshop and Pitch-an-Agent strand, CRIMEFEST is aiming to expand its activities in this area. Look out for details of a day-long crime writing day with presentations by agents, commissioning editors from commercial publishers, one-on-one assessments of manuscripts, the return of the Pitch-an-Agent strand, and a crime writing seminar by an international bestselling crime writer. See upcoming newsletters for more details.

CRIMEFEST FLASHBANG CRIME WRITING COMPETITION
Another popular CRIMEFEST event returns, Flashbang: write a short story of 150 words or less and win two full passes to CRIMEFEST 2014. For full details visit CRIMEFEST's Flashbang page or follow on Twitter @FlashbangGang.

CRIMEFEST & THE RNIB
Despite the welcome (!) competition of Million for a Morgue at this year's convention, CRIMEFEST delegates helped raise sufficient funds to record a new book for the library of our designated charity, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). Thank you to all those who helped make this happen!

MILLION FOR A MORGUE + THE KILLER COOKBOOK
Following the successful launch event at CRIMEFEST to raise funds for a new morgue for Dundee University (you can still vote for it to be named after your favourite author on the Million for a Morgue website) there is another way that you can support the campaign: The Killer Cookbook! Edited by Caro Ramsay, the book contains recipes by authors such as Jeffery Deaver, Peter James, Val McDermid, Ian Rankin and many more. The cookbook even has its own Facebook page!

GOLDSBORO LEE CHILD GIVE-AWAY (FREE BOOKS)
Goldsboro Books, the book collector's bookseller, are providing three signed first editions of Lee Child's most recent Jack Reacher novel, A Wanted Man. To enter send an email with 'Reacher wanted' in the subject line, and your name, postal and email addresses in the body of the message to enquiries@goldsborobooks.com. The deadline is 31 October 2012.

THE CRIME THRILLER AWARDS
The winners of the CWA's Gold, Steel and Creasey Awards will be announced at today's Crime Thriller Awards. To find out who has won, visit the CWA website from Friday onwards. For details of the other winners, such as Best Actor, Film and Television awards, visit The Specsavers Crime Thriller Awards page from Friday onwards. The glamorous, celebrity studded, presentation ceremony will be televised on ITV3 on Tuesday, 23 October (repeated on Thursday, 25 October). Good luck to all the nominees!

Until next time,

Myles Allfrey, Donna Moore and Adrian Muller, CRIMEFEST co-hosts.