Verdict on Harrogate Crime Festival?

Verdict on the Harrogate crime festival? Guilty…(of rather too much fun!)
 
 OK, I admit it, m’lord. I ate carbs. I drank fizz and wine and Pimms. I shamelessly fangirled authors I really admire – Ian Rankin and Rowan Coleman, I’m talking about you – and I had, in short… the time of my life.
 
I seriously can’t believe I was so nervous about attending my first Harrogate Crime Festival (see earlier blog for typical author paranoia). Everyone had told me that I would love it but this is a new genre for me, so I was genuinely nervous.
 
But the wobbles? Well, they didn’t last long, folks. For, isn’t fate a funny ol' thing…
 
I arrived, just a little over-awed, drinking coffee on my tod in one of the tents when I struck up a lovely conversation with another Harrogate newbie. We had such a warm and wonderful chat that all my nerves disappeared.  Poof. Gone. And how about this for serendipity?! I confessed that getting a picture with the lovely Ian Rankin was on my wishlist. I had booked to attend his talk and Q&A session but confided I would probably be way too shy to approach him when she smiled and said she happened to know he wouldn't mind at all...
 
Fast forward and once the lovely Ian had finished his talk and dealt with his LONG book-signing queue, I managed to get this super picture.
 
Just goes to show that you really never know how things will turn out…
 
I also had gorgeous fellow authors and Harrogate regulars Caroline Mitchell and Mel Sherratt to show me around. Thanks so much, lovely ladies!
 
There was Pimms with my agent, dinner with my new publisher Thomas and Mercer. Lots of writer chat with all manner of authors - oh and lots of sunshine, too, despite the iffy forecast.
 
Along the way I also remembered to mention my new book I Am Watching You to a few people.
 
And, of course, I went to Betty’s famous tea rooms.
  
Er, twice.
 

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Agency drinks with the fab Madeleine Milburn team...

Hello Rowan Coleman!