Crime writers takeover of Shrewsbury Library

On Friday 13 April 2018 to Sunday 15 April 2018, the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) are holding their annual conference* in Shrewsbury, with a planned takeover tour of Shrewsbury Library on Saturday 14 April 2018 at 3.30pm. It will be a great opportunity for the crime writers, editors, literary agents and publishers to have a guided tour of this magnificent Grade I listed building.

Shrewsbury Library stands majestically proud in the Castle Gates area of the town centre. The site was the home of Shrewsbury School from 1550 to 1882. Charles Darwin was educated here and his statue can be found just outside the main entrance.

Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and leisure, said:-

“The Crime Writers Conference is a perfect occasion to show off one of our most treasured heritage buildings in Shropshire. Writers, editors, literary agents and publishers will have a chance to explore and get inspired by this beautiful library.”

Priscilla Masters, author of the successful Martha Gunn series, as well as the Joanna Piercy novels and a series of medical mysteries, said:

‘There is much talk about libraries being irrelevant in today’s electronic society. Pay a visit to the spectacular Shrewsbury Library and its enthusiastic and welcoming staff and you’ll soon be eating your words. Vibrant, lively and full of ideas. That is the library Salopians have in Shrewsbury.”

The public are in with a chance to win a crime book bundle by completing the Crime Writers Conference Quiz available in Shrewsbury Library available from 9 April to 14 April 2018. For more information, speak to a member of staff.

The conference will be full of interesting talks and presentations. Among the subjects covered will be the psychiatrist’s view of the crime thriller/neuro novel, and the delegates will also be hearing from author Jean Briggs about the life and work of Edith Pargeter, aka Ellis Peters, author of the famous Cadfael medieval detective books set in and around Shrewsbury, and from Jackie Malton, the DI on whom Lynda La Plante’s creation Jane Tennison was based. Activities will include a visit to wine shippers Tanners and a gruesome walk around the town focusing on its violent past, brought to life by Martin Wood, the town crier.

The conference is for members of the CWA only, but on the afternoon of Sunday 15 April there will be a chance for the public to meet some of their favourite crime writers in an event at Waterstones from 2pm. There will be a chance to pose some of the questions you’ve been dying to ask; find out how they plot, how they characterise, where they get their ideas from, whether they have any control over titles and covers, why they’ve chosen various settings and what it’s like to be a published writer.

Writers taking part will include the celebrated crime writer Peter Lovesey who now lives in Shrewsbury, local author Priscilla Masters, Christine Poulson, Kate Ellis, award-winning Martin Edwards, Marsali Taylor and Linda Stratmann. For lovers of crime fact and fiction – come along to Waterstones, High Street, Shrewsbury SY1 1SJ on the afternoon of Sunday 15 April and meet the author for some speed dating!

The CWA expects to announce the names of more authors who will be participating nearer the time, so keep an eye on the Crime Readers Association website for news: www.thecra.co.uk.

Related link: shropshire.gov.uk/libraries

*Conference sponsors include: Shropshire Lavender and the Percy Thrower Garden.