Events Diary 2010

Really looking forward to the new decade. This year sees the release of my latest novel, Daisy's story, Gangster Girl, which will be out in hardback in March and paperback in August. I'm currently writing Daddy's Girls, where we find out what the Geezer Girls have been up to. I'm also rolling up my sleeves getting stuck into being the chair of the Harrogate's Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, 2011.

July

Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th – Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival held in Harrogate

This year's programme promises to be as explosive as ever, including names such as Jeffrey Deaver, Joanne Harris, Karin Slaughter. I will be chairing the panel celebrating the 120 years of Agatha Christie and examining the evidence to decide whether her long lasting popularity singals true greatness. Checkout the Harrogate Crime Festival website for more info

Wednesday 7th to Saturday 10th – ThrillerFest V

I will be attending the annual festival hosted by the International Thriller Writers in New York. I am sooo looking forward to this as it's been 20 years - can't believe it! - since I've been to the Big Apple.

Checkout the ThrillerFest website for more info.

June

Saturday 12th - Women's Word Festival

Join me, authors Natasha Cooper and Jessica Mann and Transworld publisher's crime fiction director, Selina Walker as we thrash it out on a panel about women and violence in crime fiction. The event will be held at Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge University. Click here to find out more.

April

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Secondary School

I will be working with a group of girls supporting them with their GCSE English GCSE coursework. Mega thanks to Marina for inviting to back to an amazing school.

Saturday 24th – Young Crime Writers' Competition, Shepherd's Bush Library

The Crime Writers' Association and libraries will be running this fab competition for writers aged 11-18. Many thanks to the committe for asking me to help judge and present the area award for London. Watch this space for more details.

Tuesday 20th – Ashmount Primary School

Every year the school holds it's fabulous Aspiration programme, where guest speakers talk about their lives to the children. And what an honour for me to have been asked. Massive thanks to the fab Jenny for inviting me back to one of the most welcoming schools I know.

March

Friday 12th – Wisewords Book Fest

The Women's Library in Old Castle Street, EC1
I will be joining my crime writing buddy Claire Seeber for this great, new festival.  Big thanks to Maggie for the invite and for her years of work at the helm of the fantastic, and much missed, Spitlit Festival. Claire Seeber is an amazing writer so check her out here

Wednesday 10th – East Sutton Park Prison
I will be discussing my life's journey with some of the residents. Big thanks to Andrea and Amanda for the invite.

Saturday March 6 Radio 4: Saturday Live - 9am

I will be joining Fi Glover for a fun chat on this lively programme. Massive thanks to Simon for inviting me. Find out more about Saturday Live.

February

Thursday 11 – Fose Centre Library, Leicester - The reading agency mentoring project

The reading agency and Leicester Library will be hosting a panel discussion with secondary schools on the topic of gun crime. And they have asked me to join them as one of their guests. Massive thanks to Sandeep for the invite. Leicester Libraries are also running the brilliant Best Shot writing competition for young writers.

Wednesday 10th - Book Slam and The Red Bull Academy Special, Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, London EC1V 9LT

This is London's premier literary nightclub, featuring top writers, poets, comedians, MCs and, of course, music. I will be reading from Geezer Girls and chatting with the crowd. Find out more at Book Slam. Massive thanks to author Patrick Neate, (the brainchild behind Book Slam) and Angela for inviting me back to my old east end stomping ground.

Thursday 5th – Drayton Park Primary School

I will be running a series of writing workshops using a programme I developed called The Write-On project, which uses rap lyrics and music to teach creative writing.

Find out more about the project in this interview I did with the Times Education Supplement in October last year – The Write-On Project. Massive thanks to Rosie, Adam and Doris for welcoming back to one of my favourite schools.

January

Saturday 30th - The Saturday Review Show, Radio 4, 7.15pm

Catch me chatting about the powerhouse movie, Precious, Peter Carey's latest novel, Parrott and Olivier In America, a celebration of the work of artist Chris Ofili at Tate Britain and the play Three Sisters at the Hammersmith Lyric. Tune in to find out what I'm recommending you do on your nights off.

Friday 22th - The Group Analytic Society Film Night

I will be joining the group to discuss the issues raised in the dark crime movie Gone Baby Gone, which is an adaptation of a Dennis Lehane novel. Big thanks to Roberta and Peter for inviting me.
For more information about their fantatstic screen nights checkout Group Analytic Society website

Thursday 14th, 7.15pm – Front Row, Radio 4

I will be reviewing new British gangster movie, 44 Inch Chest, which stars Ray Winstone, Ian Mcshane, John Hurt and Tom Wilkinson. Tune in to find out if it's as hardcore as it sounds.