One day, I will make it to Harrogate for the Annual Crime Writing Festival, “Europe’s largest gathering of crime writers” (according to The Guardian). Which is happening RIGHT NOW, by the way.
Yep, I’m sitting here in my Brisbane loungeroom while mere continents away, PD James is being honoured with a veteran award, the Crime Novel of the Year is being announced, and thousands of crime writers and readers are generally festivalling like mad.
It’s just not right! I should be there!
The freak nature/nurture confluence that moulded this dedicated crime fic tragic instilled in me, from a tender age, a deep compulsion to know everything there is to know about my home genre. And there’s only so much of that goal I can achieve from my wi-fied microsuede bullet-proof couch.
But look! It’s Sisters in Crime to the rescue!
Australian and international crime writers will gather in Melbourne for SheKilda Again on 7-9 October.
The Plot: To celebrate women’s crime writing on the page and screen and bring a collective critical eye to the field.
The Motive: To mark the 20th anniversary of Sisters in Crime Australia Inc by a 500-strong gathering that brings together women writers, true crime practitioners and those who enjoy women’s crime writing.
Oh happy, happy days. My tribe is gathering, and I am SO there.
Meg Vann 
Oh yes, Harrogate — went there in 2008 and it was teh awesome!!!! Bumped into Robert Crais – literally – and looked up at him and went ” … you’re Robert Crais…” derp! Met Tess Gerritsen in person for the first time though we’d been emailing. Everywhere you turn, world-famous crime authors!!!
and Shekilda is going to be faaaantastic!!!
Oh that sounds amazing! You and Tess are doing an event in Melbs during MWF, aren’t you – fingers crossed I’m there for it. SheKilda Again will be my FIRST ever crime writers festival. Late starter, lol. SO EXCITED!!!