I'm staging Preston Crime Fiction Festival after city's 'generosity saved my life' says best-selling author

The founder of the Preston Crime Fiction Festival has announced the dates of the inaugural 2026 event and says she is giving back to the city where she was ‘born and raised.’ The full programme will be revealed on Thursday and concession tickets for the city’s first dedicated crime fiction festival will go live on Friday (July 24) at 10am.

Authors already revealed for the event, which will be held at Preston Masonic Hall from September 25-27, include Dorothy Koomson, Vaseem Khan, Lesley Kara, Adele Parks, Jo Callaghan and Mari Hannah.

Christie J. Newport, award-winning local author of The Preston Murders Series and Co-Founder and Co-Director of PCFF26 said: “This festival is deeply personal to me. I was born and raised in Preston, and although I lived away for some time in Northumberland, a place I loved, I always knew that if I came home, I wanted to create something meaningful here.

“In 2015, after more than a decade of serious illness, I needed life-saving treatment in the USA that had a price tag beyond our reach. Asking for help was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but the people of Preston, Lancashire and beyond rallied around me. My story was covered by the Lancashire Post, Blog Preston, Granada Reports and others, and within two months the target was reached. That generosity saved my life.

“It took years before I was well enough to read and write again, something that had been so precious and vital to me, but eventually I was able to regain that lost part of who I am. In 2019, just two days after leaving intensive care, I attended my first crime writing festival and saw people like me on stage: northern writers, writers from minority and underrepresented backgrounds, and authors who made me believe there could be space for my voice too.

“Lockdown meant the festival was not able to go ahead for a couple of years, which also meant that the next time it did take place, I was there as a debut author, with a two-book deal, representation from Northbank Talent Management and the winner of the inaugural Joffe Books Prize for Crime Writers of Colour.

“That journey is why accessibility, inclusion and opportunity matter so much to me. This festival is for the readers who want to feel welcome, for the writers wondering whether they belong, for northern voices, new voices and underrepresented voices, and for anyone who has ever dreamed of rubbing shoulders with their crime writing heroes.

“It is also my way of giving something truly meaningful and important back to the city that helped save my life. Preston Crime Fiction Festival is my ode to Preston and to the crime writing community that welcomed me into the fold. To be able to bring a festival like this home to Preston, alongside my good friend, Sam, and my wife, Amy, is something I am incredibly grateful for.”

WHAT’S HAPPENING AND WHEN

Christie said the festival has been in the planning for years. The 2026 festival will bring over 40 authors to Preston this September 25-27 for a celebration of crime writing, readers, new voices, creative communities and storytelling. The festival will host bestsellers, award-winners, and rising stars.

One author attending is Sunday Times bestselling author Adele Parks MBE, who said: “ “Crime and thriller fiction is now the biggest selling genre in the world and British authors are playing a leading part in this resurgence. Every corner of the country houses keen crime readers - it's such a broad church that there is something that appeals to everyone, from Agatha Christie's Golden Age mysteries to Lee Child's Jack Reacher action thrillers.

“The Preston Crime Fiction Festival will be a first in the area and draw tremendous interest, establishing Preston's reputation for crime noir - and bringing in both well-known crime and thriller writers, local readers and readers from across the country, and media interest. I thoroughly endorse the event. Knowing the organisers, I know that they will spare no effort in making it a wild success in its debut year.”

Across the weekend, festival-goers can enjoy lively panels, practical workshops and bespoke’ In the Room With’ book club-style sessions, giving readers a rare opportunity to quiz their favourite authors in a more intimate setting.

The programme also includes manuscript assessments and the chance for writers at every stage of their career to read their work to a live audience. Workshops range from writing historical fiction to making your novel sizzle, with sessions led by ex-detectives and a crime scene investigator offering real-world insight to sharpen your writing. Visitors can also enjoy unlimited free tea, coffee and biscuits, browse the on-site pop-up bookshop from Ebb & Flo Bookshop in Chorley, and relax at the on-site bar, where drinks are served at accessible prices.

Festival merchandise will also be available, featuring the official PCFF logo painted by local, multi-prize-winning artist Amy Newport. The logo is a fun reimagining of Preston’s own Coat of Arms, Agnus Dei. Attendees will be able to purchase tote bags, T-shirts, hoodies and more via the merchandise page on our website. Items will feature the official festival logo and can be signed by the artist and authors during the weekend, creating unique and lasting souvenirs to treasure for life.

HOW TO GET TICKETS

Because venue capacity is limited, and because the non-profit festival is committed to keeping prices low and accessible, each ticket category will have a set quota. Early-bird tickets will switch to full price on Monday, the 27th of July, at 10 a.m. unless the early-bird quota is reached before then. If the quota is reached sooner, tickets will automatically switch to full price.Concession tickets, including tickets for disabled and chronically ill attendees and those on a low income, as well as local resident tickets and free carer tickets, will also be available from Friday July 24 at 10am and will remain available until each category’s quota has been reached.

The festival has also introduced a pay-it-forward ticket scheme, designed to help ensure that cost is not a barrier for those who would otherwise be unable to attend. Supporters who are able to purchase an additional ticket for the pool, and those who would benefit from accessing one, are invited to contact the festival confidentially. Details can be found on our website: www.prestoncrimefictionfestival.co.uk.

Christie added: “This festival has always been about creating a warm, accessible and exciting space for readers, writers and crime fiction fans in Preston. We are thrilled to finally be ready to share the full programme and to give our early supporters the first chance to secure tickets at unbeatable prices.”

“We are keeping prices as low as possible, but capacity is limited, so we really do encourage people to be ready when tickets go live. Early-bird tickets will switch to full price on Monday July 27, 2026, at 10 am unless the quota is reached before then, in which case they will automatically switch sooner, so please do not delay.”

“We are also extremely proud to be an officially badged event of The National Literacy Trust’s “Go All In” campaign and to have Doctor Victoria Gregson, head of the Criminology Department of the University of Central Lancashire, coming along to give an opening speech.

“We believe the Preston Crime Fiction Festival can and will open doors for writers and readers just waiting for something like this to be on their doorstep, and we also believe it will attract people from outside Preston to visit our city.

“Preston Crime Fiction Festival is set to grow year after year. If there are any businesses out there who would like to offer sponsorship, a pay-it-forward ticket, or to learn more about what we can do for them and what they can do to support us, please see our website.

The festival is co-founded and co-directed by local award-winning author, Christie J. Newport, Samantha Brownley of UK Crime Book Club, and Amy Newport.

KEY DATES:

• Full programme revealed: Thursday July 23.
• Early-bird and concession tickets live: Friday July 24 at 10am
• Early-bird tickets switch to full price: Monday July 27 2026 at 10 am unless the quota is reached before then, in which case they will automatically switch sooner.
• Concession tickets remain available until the concession quota is reached.

For ticket, programme and pay-it-forward enquiries, contact [email protected] or use the contact details listed on the festival website.