We’re excited to be holding our first crime writing themed day as part of Sturminster Newton Literary Festival on 15th June. Details of all festival tickets are now on our website here.
Throughout the literary festival week, there will be a free crime mystery competition to solve in and around Sturminster Newton, with book tokens as prizes. More details will be available closer to the festival.
We start the crime writing day with a writing workshop led by author Nikki Copleston. You’ll learn about the key elements that go into making a compelling crime mystery. Places are limited and are available here.
A Crime Writing Pass
From 1 pm on June 15th, we have a series of established crime writers with interactive events and talks. Attend an individual talk or get a special-price day pass for all three here.
Jane Labous is an award-winning journalist from Poole. Her crime novel, Past Participle, is set in Senegal and is full of twists and turns. It was longlisted for the Bath Novel Award in 2022, and there’s an interesting interview with Jane here. Get your tickets for Jane here. Jane will be interviewed by crime writer Paula Harmon, who will also speak at the festival. If you have ever wondered where some of the ideas in a mystery novel come from, Paula’s books are extensively researched, and her talk gives insights into how she developed them. Tickets for Paula’s talk, Byways, Rabbit Holes and Turns in the River, are available here.
Guilty or innocent? You decide. Best-selling author Mark Bridgeman will play the part of judge, prosecution, and defence when he presents a real-life murder trial at this year’s Sturminster Newton Literary Festival—in which YOU, the audience, will become the jury! With a prize for the winner, evidence and exhibits from the case, and a Q&A with the author, this promises to be an event to remember. Silence in Court! Get your ticket here.
More mystery and intrigue
Other events with an element of mystery include the talk by Taylor Downing as part of the D Day event on 9th June. His new book, The Army that Never Was - D Day and the Great Deception, focuses on the espionage, mystery and hoodwinking that went on to distract the enemy prior to the invasion. Book your tickets here, or if you want to attend all the talks on 9 June, the day pass is here.
Walks and Nature
Our ghost walk tickets are selling fast, and so is the Marnhull walk, which focuses on Tess of the D’Urbervilles. Grab your place here. There are also spaces on our walk to Bagber in the footsteps of William Barnes on 16th June, led by David Fox.
This year, we are working with the CRT at Bere Marsh Farm in Shillingstone to offer a nature writing walk. As you explore the beautiful surroundings, Jane V Adams will show you how to enhance your nature writing to make the most of all that natural beauty. Tickets are here.
Festival Bookshop
We have updated our festival bookshop online with most author books. Take a look here. We receive a small commission for book sales on this site, which is ploughed back into funding for more literary events and projects.
In the News
The BBC featured Jim Carter’s work this month. Read the article here. If you want to hear more about Hearts of Steel, Jim will be at the festival on June 10th.
We enjoyed reading the coverage of Guy Deacon’s book launch in The Times and Reader’s Digest. Tempted to hear more? Book your tickets here.
For all details on the Sturminster Newton Literary Festival, see our website at www.sturlitfest.com.