The wonderful Lee Child and me at Bouchercon 2010 | Having a laugh with Gilbert and George
So much going on in 2011 that I can’t even keep up with myself!! Massive thanks to my Geezerettes who are always out there promoting my books. Totally excited as the programme chair of Theakstons Old Peculier Crime festival in Harrogate. Checkout below for more details.
The Book Review Show, BBC 2, Friday 4 November, 11pm
Chatting about some of the book highlights of the week including the mighty Stephen King's latest offering, 11. 22.63. Can the clock be turned back on the Kennedy assassination?
I will be in great compnay - Germain Greer, John Carey, Susan Hitch and Kirsty wark. Big thanks to Greg and the team for the inviting me again!
Daybreak, ITV, Wednesday 15 September, 7.20am
I'll be on the sofa chatting with Liz Fraser and host Christine Bleakley. How should schools deal with racist and homophobic bullying? Should schools record such incidents or put it down to playground banter?
Newsnight, BBC 2 -10.30pm, Friday 12 August
I will be joining Owen Jones and David Starkey to discuss the recent riots.
Open Book, Radio 4 - 4.15pm, Sunday 14 August
Lucky me!! I'll be sitting in for Mariella Frostrup to present Open Book, where I'll be chatting to Baroness Ruth Rendell, Martyn Waites AKA Tania Carver, Sebastian Faulks and discussing the work of the extraordinary Ira Levin.
The Review Show, BBC 2 11:15pm, Friday 1st July
I will be joining Professor John Carey, Kate Mosse and Alex Preston to chat about some of the latest cultural events.
The Review Show, BBC 2 11:15pm, Friday 8th April
I will be chatting with actor Dan Stevens, (the heir from Downtown Abbey), writer Alex Preston and the oh-so-fab Sarah Crompton. Kirsty Wark will be keeping us in order. Big thanks to Tanya and the team for having me back!
New Book on the Block: Hit Girls
Hit Girls is going to hit the shops in March, (hardback in March and paperback in August.) This is the last in my East End books. It’s funny but when I started writing Schoolboy’s story in Running Hot I never dreamed that there would be any other books. But then came along Lord Tribulation, Jackie Jarvis, Daisy Sullivan all begging for their story to be told. So here I am four novels on from Running Hot with Hit Girls.
Hit Girls is very special to me because it finally wraps up Schoolboy and Jackie’s stories. I wanted them to ‘grow-up’ and have children and see how they coped with a major league crisis. All my characters have become much loved friends, so I had a few tears in my eyes when I finished Hit Girls. Fingers crossed that you enjoy Hit Girls as much as I adored writing it.
Hit Girls Tour - catch me and the geezerettes at:
- Waterstones Romford - Saturday 27 August
- Waterstones Walthamstow, Selborne Shopping Centre - Saturday 3 September
- Waterstones Hatfield, The Galleria - Saturday 17 September
January
Thursday 6 - Front Row, Radio 4, 7.15pm
I will be joining the fab Mark Lawson to chat about Russell Crowe’s new movie The Last Three Days. Will it be a patch on the French original Pour Elle? Tune in and find out.
Friday 14 - IGA film group
Big thanks to Roberta for inviting me back to the IGA film group to watch and discuss the movie Precious.
Tuesday 18 6.30-8pm - CLR James Library
I’ll be chatting to the reading group at the CLR James Library in Hackney.
Friday 21 - Cardinal Pole School in Hackney
I will be sharing my life and experiences with Year 13 pupils at Cardinal Pole School in Hackney. This is a special one for me as my nephews went to Cardinal Pole many years ago. Their experiences at the school both set them onto the brilliant road they are following toady.
Friday 15 - The Saturday Review, Radio 4, 7.15pm
I will be joining Paul Morley and Richard Coles to chat about some of the latest cultural highlights of the week, including Gilbert and George’s at the White Cube.
Tom Sutcliffe will be keeping us in order.
February
Thursday 3 - The launch of the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Festival
At Browns Courtrooms in Covent Garden
March
Wednesday 2 - Hit Girls is Out
Watch out for the hardback.
Thursday 3 - Reading Prison
Big thanks to Jacky for inviting me to talk and run a creative writing session with some of the younger residents of the prison. I was delighted to receive a copy of the anthology of stories that residents write for the Reading Short Story competition which I judged last year.
Friday 11 - Islington Council: Inspiring Leaders
I will be a keynote speaker sharing my life and experiences with Black minority ethnic employees of Islington Council. Massive thanks to the amazing Lela for inviting me.
Thursday 17 Night Waves, Radio 3, 9.15pm
Has art gone beyond multiculturalism? I'll be debating with Munira Mirza, chief arts advisor to Boris Johnso and David Dibosa. Big thanks to Anne, Georgia and the fab Tim for the invite.
Tuesday 22 Front Row, Radio 4, 7.15pm
What's going on in the latest series of Midsomer Murders? Join me and Mark Lawson as we talk about this and 'other' issues, (I'm sure you know what I mean by other.)
Sunday 27 Open Book, Radio 4. 7.15pm
Hey, what's happening to our library services? I will be joining Mariella Frostrup and James Runcie to unpick.
Thursday 31 Conference: Different Direction – Diversity and Leadership
I will be a keynote speaker, exploring issues about the lessons learned about multiculturalism and the arts. Massive thanks to Thrisha and the Asian Arts Agency for asking.
April
Saturday 16 The Satruday Review - Radio 4, 7.15pm
Join me as I chat with Tom Sutcliffe and co about some of the latest cultural happenings, inlcuding the Joan Miro exhibition at the Tate Modern.
May
Friday 13, Front Row - Radio 4, 7.15pm
Remember Cagney and Lacey? Well here's Scott and Bailey, ITV's new cop show. Will I and Kirsty Lang think they make a dynamic duo? Listen in to find out.
Wednesday 25 - The Guardian
What do you think of celebrity role models? Checkout what I think.
June
Thursday 23, Full Sutton Prison
Working in partnership with English PEN, I will be chatting to residents about my books, life and writing. Big thanks to Irene for sorting this all out.
July
Theakstons Old Peculier Crime festival, Harrogate It’s here!!!
If you haven’t booked a place already checkout the amazing programme and events. Checkout out the stunning line up. I will also be interviewing the lovely Martina Cole and hosting Saturday night’s quiz – always a scream!!! – with the fab Mark Billingham. Massive thanks to the committee for giving me one of the most amazing experiences of my life as programme chair.
Friday 8, HMP & YOI Bronzefield
I will be running a creative writing workshop with some of the residents. Big, big thanks to Sibylla for the invite.
Tuesday 12 BBC Radio York - 1pm
I will be wearing my Theakston Old Peculier Crime Fiction Festival hat and talking about this year's amazing programme.
Saturday 15 Saturday Live - BBC Radio 4
I will be joining the delightful Richard Coles to once gain talk this years Theakston Old Peculier Crime Fiction Festival.
August
Sunday 14 - The Guardian
David Starkey's Ethnic Year Zero: Here's my reflective response to appearing on Newsight and the issues that were raised.
Sunday 21 - BBC Radio London
I'll be reviewing the Sunday papers with the delightful Jeni Barnett
Sunday 28 - Review of the Sunday Papers, The Guardian and CiF
What do I think about what the papers have been saying this week?
September
Tuesday 9 - The Guardian
Are we still worried after the riots. Read what i think...
Saturday 24 - Saturday Review, Radio 4, 7.15pm
Catch me, Dan Guttenplan, Cahal Dallat and host Sarfraz Manzoor as we chat about some of the this week's cultural happenings.
October
Monday 3rd - Northbury Primary School
Just 10 minutes Every Day! I'll be running a workshop for parents on how thay can spend just 10 minutes veryday helping their child read. I'll also be working with teachers on ways to make the curriculum inclusive for all children. Big thanks to Eugene for the invite
Tuesday 4, HMP Lewes
I will be chatting with residents about my life and books. Massive thanks to Rachel for inviting me.
Wednesday 5th - Thornhill Primary School
Wow, every excited about being invited back to such a great school. I'll be talking about my life at assembly and running a writing workshop.
Tuesday 11 - Cookham Wood and Rochester Prisons
I'll be talking with residents and running A Write-On creative writing workshop, which usesRap and poetry. Big thanks to Meg for the invite.
Thursday 14 - South Bank University
I'll be talking to PhD stuents in education about why we should be proud of our working class.
Monday 17th 9.30pm - The Islam Channel, Sky Channel 813
I'll be chatting with Salma Yaqoob about identity and loads more
Wednesday 19th - Kingston prison and Plymouth Literary festival
I'll be chatting to prisoners and the library's book group about my life and books and running a creative writing workshop. Then I'll be hot footing it over to Southsea Library to join in Plymouth's Bookfest and chat to readers. Checkout more about Bookfest. Big thanks to Dave and Wendy-May for the invite.
November
Wednesday 2nd - Four Thought, Radio 4
What's happened to social mobility in this country? I'll be popping the spotlight on some of the cultural issues.
Wednesday 2nd - Prison Librarians Conference
I will be discussing the Write-On creative writing programme. Massive thanks to the fab Sibylla for all her help and to the conference committee.
Saturday 12 - Reading Crime Festival
I wll be chairing a panel about Crime and Society and look forward to chatting to NJ Cooper, Denise Mina, Ronnie Thompson and Professor David Wilson. Checkout more about this years fab festival.
Sunday 13 - Radio London, 9am
I will be joing the amazing Jenni Barnet to review the Sunday papers.
Monday 14 - Front Row, Radio 4, 7.15pm
I will be chatting with the fab Mark Lawson about the new thriller Justice starring Nicolas Cage and the oh so great Guy Pearce.
Tuesday 15 - The Writeidea Festival
Really great to be going back to my old stomping ground of Tower Hamlets to join in with the festival activities. Big thanks to Barbara. Checkout more about the festival.
Saturday 19 Crime Writing Workshop - Foyles bookshop; 11am-4pm
I will be running a creative writing day at London's famous bookshop. Big thanks to Spread The Word and Janneba for inviting me.
Tuesday 22 - Erlestoke Prison
I will be chatting about my life, growing up in East London and my work. Big thanks to Janet for the invite.
Saturday 26 - Saturday Review, Radio 4, 7.15pm
Discussing some of this week's cultural highlights.
December
Friday 3 - Radio London, The Eddie Nestor Show, 10.30pm
I will be swapping newspaper stories with the one and only Eddie Nestor.
Monday 5 – Friday 10 Arvon Crime Writing workshop week.
I will be facilitating a week of crime writing workshops with my temporary partners in crime, the legendary Frances Fyfield and Sophie Hannah. For more details checkout Crime Pays.