A Preston author who won the Joffe Books Prize for Crime Writers of Colour in 2021 will attend a prestigious writing festival this autumn.

Debut author Christie J Newport, whose DCI Beth Fellows police procedural series follows a Preston-based officer, will visit the Capital Crime Writing Festival in Battersea Park, London, on 30 September.

Advertisements

The festival, running from 29 September to 1 October, will feature a panel in the style of a game show quiz, ‘Whose Crime Is It Anyway’, presented by actor Paul Clayton.

Read more: Free summer fun activities for children in Preston

Christie said: “I first attended the inaugural festival a couple of days after leaving intensive care where I had battled Sepsis for the third time.

“While at the festival, I met many of my writing heroes and felt rejuvenated – it was there I began to believe I could achieve my lifelong dream of becoming an author.

“I went home and began attending every writing festival, course and group I could. I devoured books on writing, forensics, and crime scene investigation.

“Here I am in 2022, and not only is my first book soon going to be published, but I am also going to be appearing at Capital Crime alongside my writing heroes/idols.”

Read more: Exhibition featuring the 2012 Guild celebrations opens in Preston city centre

There are four teams of five authors in the panels, with Christie competing with the ‘Dynamic Detectives’ against ‘High Concept Heroes’, and ‘Domestic Dynamos’ and ‘Global Goliaths’ will head off against each other separately.

The winning team from both heats will progress to the grand final on Saturday, 1 October.

Christie said: “The idea is that the panel will be lighthearted, fun and maybe a tad competitive but all in the name of introducing debut authors and their books.”

Read more: Autistic Preston author publishes young adult book

The first book in the DCI Beth Fellows series is due to be released by Joffe Books, with the official publication date set for 30 November 2022.

Christie also writes psychological thrillers and gothic historical books and is working on a second standalone novel set across three timelines in Preston, Lancashire and Seahouses, Northumberland.

Read more: Summer Saturdays 2022 to offer packed line-up on Flag Market

The book follows Detective Chief Inspector Beth Fellows as she battles a sadistic murderer who brands his victims with the image of a raven.

The synopsis reads: “Six years ago, a teenager was left in a vegetative state after an attack – the image of a raven had been seared onto her skin.

“The Brander is back, but the victim is dead, and as the investigation proceeds, Beth realises that this case is far more personal than she could have ever imagined.”

Read more: Preston’s Riva Showbar to host ‘Ska, Reggae and Soul’ event this September

Advertisements

Christie was born and raised in Preston, growing up in the New Hall Lane area and attending Archbishop Temple High School and Preston College before studying Journalism at Edge Hill University in Ormskirk. 

Christie said: “I feel that Preston is somewhat underrepresented in the world of TV and books, and I love that I can help to change that.

“I hope Prestonians will enjoy the familiarity of the locations, though some have been invented for the story’s purpose.

“I can’t wait to share DCI Beth Fellows and her team with you all. My family still lives in Preston, and I visit often.

“It will always remain close to my heart.”

Read more: Freckleton brass band appoints new musical director

Alongside Capital Crime, Christie is due to enjoy a celebratory meal with the Joffe team.

It will be with Hannah Weatherill (agent), Dorothy Koomson and Susan Yearwood (the judges who unanimously voted her the winner of the inaugural Joffe Books Prize in 2021).

Christie is also looking forward to Newcastle Noir, Podcasts with Booklover’s Companion and UK Crime Bookclub, an article in the Edge Hill University Alumni newsletter, the Berwick Upon Tweed library launch and more.

For more information on the festival, visit – https://www.capitalcrime.org/product/capital-crime-festival-2022/

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines

Are you looking forward to reading the novel? Let us know in the comments below.