For release: 13 November 2017
Lee Child Takes Helm of Theakston Crime Writing Festival
The biggest celebration of the crime genre in the world has announced one of the biggest crime writers in the world will take the helm of its 2018 Festival.
Lee Child, author of the global bestselling Jack Reacher series, is Programming Chair of the 2018 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, which takes place 19-22 July in Harrogate.
Established in 2003 by crime author Val McDermid, agent Jane Gregory and arts charity Harrogate International Festivals, 2018 marks the 16th Festival, held at Agatha Christie’s haunt, The Old Swan Hotel.
The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is regarded as the world’s best, achieving international acclaim for the programming, organisation and inclusive atmosphere. Over the years, it has hosted iconic names such as PD James, Jo Nesbo and JK Rowling (as Robert Galbraith).
Lee Child said: “It’s a challenge to follow in the footsteps of authors such as Peter James, Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves as previous Programming Chairs, but I guarantee I’ll be bringing some very special names to 2018’s Festival.”
“Harrogate is by far my favourite on the circuit, so it is a real honour – and a delight - to be taking the helm. My grandma lived in Otley so Harrogate is a place that has fond memories for me, and the Festival has a real warmth and laid back atmosphere. It’s a chance for readers and writers alike to hang out in a beautiful part of England. I’m looking forward to welcoming new and old friends.”
2017’s event sold out with 16,500 tickets over the four day festival. It is routinely cited as one of the UK’s top literary festivals. As well as over 90 authors, it attracts stars of stage and screen. Past events featured comedians Eddie Izzard, Susan Calman and Rory Bremner, actors Brenda Blethyn, Jodie Whittaker and Robson Green, alongside media heavyweights James Naughtie, Mark Lawson, and Jeremy Vine.
Lee Child, who resides in New York, launched his new Reacher thriller, The Midnight Line, on November 7 in the UK. It sees his iconic 6ft 5 inch hero on a quest for justice in the wilds of Wyoming. His last book, Night School, was the UK’s biggest selling hardback novel of 2016.
With over 100 million books sold, it is said a Reacher novel is sold somewhere in the world every nine seconds. As well as being published in over one hundred territories, the novels have been adapted to two Hollywood films starring Tom Cruise.
Lee Child won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award in 2011 and received the Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction Award in 2017, joining the pantheon of Colin Dexter, Ruth Rendell, PD James, Reginald Hill, Lynda La Plante, Sara Paretsky and Val McDermid, who have received the honour.
Title sponsor and executive director of T&R Theakston, Simon Theakston, said: “Lee Child is nothing short of a phenomenon, and as a regular Special Guest at our festival, it’s wonderful that he’s now our next Programming Chair. He is an inspiration to his fellow writers, but most importantly a hero to his millions of readers. No doubt, he will make 2018 a very special year indeed.”
Sharon Canavar, CEO of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “It’s hard to top the success of the festival year-on-year, but with Lee as Chair it really electrifies the programme. He is a huge advocator and supporter of the genre.”
2018 Special Guests will be announced in the coming months. harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is Europe’s largest event dedicated to the celebration of crime fiction. Taking place annually over four days each July (19-22, 2018) the Festival programmes over 90 best-selling UK and international crime authors and over 30 events. It is delivered by the north of England’s leading arts festival organisation, Harrogate International Festivals.
The event features the prestigious Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award.
2017’s event sold-out with 16,500 individual tickets over four days. Cited as one of the UK’s top literary festivals in the Guardian, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle magazine, the 2017 Festival reached over 5 million Twitter users, with 15 million impressions during the week of July.
Quotes about the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
“Takes the good name of Harrogate around the world in a way no amount of advertising could achieve” – The Guardian
“The biggest event devoted to crime fiction in Europe… Harrogate fosters a special intimacy between writers and readers; you see a different, more personal side to the authors… In short, a weekend that combines first-class entertainment with stimulation of the little grey cells. What better tribute could Dame Agatha’s many literary descendants pay to her shade?” – The Telegraph
“Harrogate has an extensive literary festival programme but the jewel in its crown is the crime festival. Known as being particularly friendly, and particularly drunken, the biggest crime writers will descend on the town for one weekend for pints, debates and panel events.” – Elle magazine
“Some crime festivals keep the writers away from the readers. But at Harrogate all the writers are there in the bar and readers can approach them… The panel sessions and guest interviews are packed with insight and intelligence.” – Val McDermid, author
“It’s the best festival in the world and all the big-name writers clear their diaries and want to be there. It’s just so well run, and the difference with other festivals is that the writers and the readers aren’t kept apart.” – Mark Billingham, author
“Parties! Readers! Authors! What a great Festival – can’t wait to go back!” – Harlan Coben, author
“Harrogate is a must. With beautiful locale, smart panels and superb author interaction, it’s one of the best festivals I’ve ever attended” – Michael Connelly, author
“The US has Bouchercon, and the UK, Europe and Scandinavia have Harrogate…it’s every bit as good, and it’s about the only reason I willingly return to the old country…” – Lee Child, author
“The Festival has launched many literary careers, boosted others and introduced the joy of reading to thousands” – Jane Gregory, Literary Agent
“It was a terrific festival - one of the best yet, I think, and a real pleasure to take part.” – Sarah Hilary, author
“It is by far the best organised and planned festival of its kind. My American publishers commented on how much more enjoyable it is than anything they attend in the US because of the thought and consideration that goes into the arrangements every year. ” – Jane Casey, author
“The spectacular Harrogate Festival is a must-go Festival for everyone who loves crime fiction. Harrogate is friendly, intimate and best of all – it’s in England. I loved it, you will too.” – Robert Crais, author
“Harrogate is my favourite literary festival. A charming relaxed atmosphere and interesting literary events with some of the brightest talents in the crime fiction field. A treat for writers and fans alike.” – George Pelecanos, author
“Harrogate was so much fun and, without a doubt, one of the best Festivals I have ever attended.” – Peter Robinson, author
@TheakstonsCrime
T&R Theakston Ltd
Title sponsor of the Festival since 2005, Theakston Old Peculier ale is produced by T & R Theakston Ltd. It is one of the country’s most famous and highly regarded traditional ale brewers.
Theakston was established in Masham, North Yorkshire in 1827 by Robert Theakston. After a brief period in the 1980s when the company was acquired by Scottish & Newcastle plc, the company has been back under family ownership since autumn 2003. It now operates as an independent brewer producing five permanent brands in the Theakston range including the iconic Old Peculier – its best-known beer with a rich, dark flavour, celebrated by ale enthusiasts all over Britain and around the world.
Harrogate International Festivals
Harrogate International Festivals is one of the north of England’s leading arts & cultural organisations, offering a year-round programme of music and literature festivals and events, plus education and outreach work across the Harrogate district.
Established in 1966, the charity has a history of attracting the world’s most enthralling performers to Yorkshire’s doorstep, and of nurturing young talent. Its diverse portfolio has dramatically increased the cultural and tourism offer for Harrogate and the surrounding area.
It has a strong heritage and ambitious future. Its vision is to be the leading portfolio of arts festivals, with an evolving and innovative offer.
2016 marked its 50th anniversary.
It features a portfolio of events including:
Harrogate International Sunday Series (Jan-April)
Harrogate Music Festival (July)
The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival (July)
The Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival (October)
Berwins Salon North (across the year)
HIF+ (engagement and educational projects, across the year)
About Future 50
The Future 50 Appeal aims to raise £1m, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Harrogate International Festivals by helping to secure the future of the organisation, looking to the next 50 years of arts and cultural events in Harrogate.
Harrogate International Festivals is one of the leading cultural organisations in the North of England.
To stage what is one of the most ambitious programmes in the North of England, each year Harrogate International Festivals is required to raise over £500,000 from grants, donations and sponsorship.
The Festivals has a huge impact on tourism, attracting 90,000 people resulting in an £8.2m economic impact for the District. It also works year-round to change lives, from community outreach work to safeguarding a performance platform for aspiring musicians.
The last 50 years has seen world-class names headline in Harrogate, including acts as diverse as Judi Dench, Stephen Fry, Alfred Brendel, Paloma Faith, the Halle, BB King and JK Rowling.
The Festivals was at the forefront of classical music in the 60s, the vanguard of comedy and street theatre in the 80s and 90s, and now delivers over 300 events per year, celebrating its heritage and developing innovative new strands.