CRIME FICTION fans are set for an insightful evening this September, as an award-winning North East novelist shares her writing secrets.
Author Ann Cleeves, whose best-selling books – Shetland and Vera – have both been made into TV series’, will be at South Shields’ The Word: National Centre for the Written Word on 8 September.
The event will see Ann interviewed by BBC Look North’s Adrian Pitches along with discussing her latest novel from the Vera series: The Seagull, and answering questions about her successful career as an author.
Ann Cleeves, 63, first started writing when she moved to Hilbre – a tiny, deserted tidal island nature reserve – with her husband, Tim. In later years, the couple and their two daughters moved to Northumberland, where the North East provided the inspiration for many of her subsequent titles.
Since starting writing 30 years ago, Ann has gone on to publish more than 30 books, with some of her bestsellers being adapted for both radio and TV.
Seven series of Vera, the ITV adaptation starring Brenda Blethyn, have been broadcast in the UK, and sold worldwide. There have also been three series of Shetland, based on her Shetland novels – and a fourth is in preparation.
Her latest novel, The Seagull – which she will be discussing on the night – is a follow-up of her popular DCI Vera Stanhope series, in which a visit to her local prison sees Vera meet an old enemy: former detective superintendent, and now inmate, John Brace.
Tania Robinson, Head of Marketing and Culture for The Word: National Centre for the Written Word said: “September is a brilliant month for crime fiction fans at The Word.
“Not only will we have Scottish crime writer Val McDermid on 1 September, but we now have the award-winning and talented author Ann Cleeves hosting an evening on the 8th.
“We hope fans from across the region will join us for what are both going to be really interesting evenings with incredible female authors.”
Prior to Ann’s talk, David Hirst from Tynemouth Fine Art Gallery will discuss Painter of the Tyne, an exhibition of paintings by Peter Burns. The paintings depict the vanished world of the Tyneside Shipyards, the character of the people who worked there, and the trades of the ship builders.
A preview of the exhibition will begin at 6.15pm before Ann takes to the stage at 7pm.
Tickets for An Audience With Ann Cleeves cost £3 and can be booked online, by visiting www.theworduk.org or at the venue’s gift shop, Shop@The Word. Ann’s new book will also be on sale at the event.
For more information about The Word, call 0191 427 1818 email enquiries@theworduk.org or visitwww.theworduk.org.