I debated the title of this blog for a long time. Part of me wanted to call it ‘How to survive Harrogate’, or even ‘A socially anxious introvert’s guide to Harrogate’. In the end, I settled on ‘Adventures in…’ and what an adventure it was!
Harrogate, AKA the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, has been running for 22 years in its current form, but this was my first time attending. I’ve been to crime and literature festivals before, of course, but among the crime community, this festival is The Big One. So, I just had to go.
Many people think that the festival was established here because it was where Agatha Christie was discovered when she disappeared in 1926, but I was reliably informed that it was just a happy coincidence and actually the crime festival was established because Harrogate Festivals (the company who run this, and several other events) simply wanted to expand their offering, and someone suggested that ‘crime’ would be a good idea.
Anyway, enough of the random facts, here’s how my weekend went…
Ahead of the festival
As a socially anxious introvert, I spent a lot of time going back and forth about whether I’d be going to Harrogate. I’ll admit that it felt more that I should go for a long time, because I’d been offered the chance in 2025 and turned it down. So, since this was my last chance to go before becoming a published novelist, it was also my last chance to just go and enjoy the festival without the pressure of promoting my books or being on panels1, etc. Basically, I wanted to go once to see what it was all about and just enjoy the ride.
But I was still worried that I might go and not talk to anyone, spending the whole weekend by myself and wishing I hadn’t gone at all. So, I persuaded my husband (and dog, although she didn’t have much choice) to come with me, so that if it really was awful, I’d be able to meet up with them and go home early.
I also didn’t know what to do about tickets. Harrogate isn’t cheap, but I’d received some advice to ignore the Rover tickets (full day or full weekend tickets where all events are included) and book the basics: event passes or site passes. This I did, costing about £80, which isn’t too bad at all.
Then I did the unthinkable, and joined a couple of Whatsapps groups for people going to the festival. Some people I already knew through debut authors groups, or friends of friends, but most people were new to me. And many were already established authors, which did result in a few exclamations of “OMG so-and-so is in this whatsapp"!” before remembering that they are people too.
But the ultimate choice to go was putting myself in a position where I couldn’t back down. I applied for a reading slot at Noir at the Bar, a fringe event that isn’t formally associated with the festival. To my surprise — and delight — I was chosen to read, and at that point, I had to go. There was no turning back.
All I had to do was wait.
Harrogate Day 1 (Thursday)
We arrived at Harrogate at lunchtime, having driven almost four hours north from Gloucestershire. I was immediately struck with nerves at the thought of reading an excerpt of The Domino Man in front of a whole load of people in a few hours time, to the point where I couldn’t really take any of the town in. We wandered around for a while, had a sandwich and a drink, then picked up my tickets from the box office. Then it was time to check in to our airbnb and do the quickest full change in the world.
The Blues Bar was already fairly well packed by the time we got there. Thankfully, our friends from York (who came over especially to see us) had saved us seats. Then the bar kept filling, to the point where every seat was taken and people were sitting on the floor, each other, and up the stairs. Vic, our host, kicked off the evening and the first name was pulled out of the hat.
Typically, it was mine. I stood, very nervously, aware that we didn’t have a mic yet and I’d have to shout. Several years of singing in bands and choirs, and a lifetime of swimming, have however blessed me with a decent pair of lungs, so projecting my voice wasn’t a problem. I began to read, encouraged by the rapt attention of the audience, who provided lots of ‘ooh’s and ‘ahh’s in all the right places.
I finished to a massive round of applause, and the sense of the world creeping back in. I began to notice things again as my nerves dropped off — ably assisted by a glass of rosé — and I realised that I was there, I’d done a good job and hadn’t made a complete arse of myself. Which is all anyone can really ask for.
But it got better still after that. People wanted to talk about my book, or sign their proof copies (my first ever signing!) and even invite me onto blogs and podcasts. It was truly unreal, and I cannot thank all of those lovely people enough.
Although I did make my husband laugh when, on leaving the bar, I asked him if the large Ferris wheel up the hill had been there all along. In my anxiety before the event, I hadn’t even noticed it was there.
Harrogate Day 2 (Friday)
It was an early start on Friday, attending the Fresher’s Welcome at 8:30am. Feeling a bit buoyed by the night before, I was bold enough to say hello to one of my favourite authors — Vaseem Khan — who I’d met before at CrimeFest. He was also kind enough to accept a proof copy of my book, and have a picture taken with me in front of the hotel.
Cue a few minutes of feeling absolutely giddy with joy, I calmed down with a hot chocolate and had a good look around. I tried for one of the proofs of the new Reacher book, but there were only 25 copies available and I was 26th in the queue. Failing that, I headed off to my first panel event From Poirot To Podcasts.
It was a fantastic session, and I made a few new friends with the ladies that were near me in the queue. After that, I set about tracking down other debut authors and my editor, who had a massive pile of proof copies for me to hand out.
The rest of the day sped by in a blur. I met and spoke to so many people that I definitely can’t remember all their names, but I gave out every proof copy that I could fit in my bag. But I also felt increasingly self aware and in awe of many of the people around me: established authors whose books I’ve pre-ordered and devoured as soon as they landed on my doormat/kindle, plus a whole load of reviewers and booklovers that I’d seen on socials and felt like I knew well, even though we’d never met in real life.
The day ended on a real high note though, when I met Holly Seddon, who mentored me a couple of years ago. She saw The Domino Man in its earliest drafts and had provided a quote for me to take on sub. That quote now graces the front cover of the proof copy, and I think it’s going to be on the final version too.
After that, I went for dinner with my husband, took the dog for a walk, and despite seriously considering going back to the tent for the evening, decided what I really needed was an early night.
Harrogate Day 3 (Saturday)
A slightly later start allowed me a bit of time to a) lie in, and b) explore the venue a little more. Saturday was full of events for me, starting with What Happened to All the Serial Killers?, where I met yet more new faces and hugely enjoyed Sue Black outwit the rest of the panel.
A quick drink stop and I was off again, this time to the Critic’s New Blood panel. This was a charming session featuring four debut authors, all of whom were judged to have “a unique voice”. It’s always entertaining and informative to hear from other debuts, and see how they deal with being on festival panels, especially when I’m already worrying about my own appearances in the new year.
After lunch (the toastie van was a triumph) and a lovely chat in the tent, I was off again, this time to what was the highlight of all the panels I attended during the weekend. Val McDermid interviewed Rebecca Philipson, author of How to get away with Murder, and another 2026 debut. I bumped in Rebecca in the hotel just before the event, and while she was nervous, she absolutely nailed the interview.
And finally, I went to my publisher drinks, hosted by Katherine Armstrong and Charlotte Osment of Simon & Schuster UK. I met so many fabulous authors there that I was a bit overawed and definitely too nervous to introduce myself to some of them. I did however get this fab photo with a few of my author heroines.
And that was it. By 6pm on Saturday I was absolutely out of juice and it was time for me to go home!
What did I really think of Harrogate?
Honestly, I loved it! When people tell you that everyone is lovely at the festival, they’re not lying. It’s a truly joyous affair with a fantastic atmosphere, in a beautiful location with an excellent programme of events. And it’s not just for crime writers - anyone who reads, enjoys or is simply curious about crime fiction will have a whale of a time there.
So, in true project manager style, it’s only right that I run a little retrospective…
What Went Well
The people - nicest bunch of lads and lasses that you’ll ever meet, especially considering most of them spend a lot of time thinking about killing people (in fiction, obvs)
The weather - my goodness, it was a lovely weekend! The sun was shining, there was just the tiniest bit of rain on the Saturday (although it was quite windy) and I actually managed to pack appropriate clothing.
Even Better If
I’d looked after myself properly on days 1 and 2. It was 3pm on Friday before I ate anything other than breakfast and I also somehow went all day with a loo break. I was much more in control of my input and output on day 3.
I’d worried less. I missed out on speaking to so many people because I was too nervous to approach them, and I was too worried about the local bookshop (Imagined Things - who were also lovely) not wanting a proof of my book that I chickened out asking if they’d like one. The joys of Anxiety!
I’d planned what I was going to eat. The offerings on site are largely bread based, which doesn’t do my IBD any good. I bumped into a lovely writer (Sarah) who said she always carries a little tub of fruit, nuts and snacks. I’ll be doing that in future!
What I’ll do differently next time
Stay closer to the venue (our airbnb was about a mile away) in a hotel that preferably has a pool, so I can take many people’s advice of having a break or a nap in the afternoon so that I can go out in the evening!
Say hello to everyone! Yes, even Mick Herron, Erin Kelly and Elly Griffiths. I might fangirl a bit, but my heart will be in the right place and very full afterwards!
Remember to do the little things. Get a programme, take pictures, and occasionally stop to look around and really appreciate it all.
But there’s one thing that’s really stuck in my mind since we headed back down the M5… As long as you come away wanting to return, you haven’t lost out at all.
And I can’t wait to go back!
Thank you for reading today’s blog. For this introvert, Harrogate was a big deal, even if I did a pretty good job at masking my anxiety and hiding just how nervous I felt. I owe many thanks to all the other writers, readers, bloggers, industry professionals and crime fiction lovers who listened to me read at NATB, said hello to me, introduced me to other people and ultimately made my weekend absolutely fantastic. Thank you!
Join me next time on Arsenic & Cold Case for:
15th Aug — Path to Publication 15: Proofs and Early Feedback
See you then!
Please don’t think I’m taking this for granted. While being on a Harrogate panel is a bit of a dream, it’s by no means guaranteed as competition for panel places is massive!
Thanks for this. As I've never been, it was a useful rundown of how the Festival works.