Autumn 2019 was a great time for me. Just after winning Pitch Perfect and still in shock, I discovered that I’d been shortlisted as a new voice as part of the inaugural Capital Crime Festival.
This is a brand new event in the Capital, which was developed by thriller writer Adam Hamdy and top literary agent David Headley, who owns the DHH Literary Agency and the wonderful independent bookstore Goldsboro Books.
You had to submit the first three chapters of an unpublished novel and then everyone who was attending the festival got the chance to vote for a shortlist of ten writers, the winner to be announced at the opening night party in the Grand Connaught Hotel.
I was surprised and delighted to be shortlisted and travelled down to the event with no expectations at all. It was a wonderful night and although I didn’t win, I was on cloud nine. Everyone was so lovely and I was delighted to have had the chance to take part and for readers to have voted for my chapters.
The event itself was great, very friendly and all based in the hotel. I’m sure it will go from strength to strength in future. Hopefully, one day I might attend as a published author.