These top-name authors are on their way to Preston Crime Fiction Festival 2026

Authors who will be heading to Preston for the city’s very first Crime Fiction Festival have been named - and it’s a list full of big hitters. From Mari Hannah, to Anna Mazzola, Vaseem Khan and Adele Parks MBE, they are all names you will recognise from your bookshelves.

The Preston Crime Fiction Festival will take place on September 25-27 at Preston Masonic Hall . Early-bird and concession tickets are now on sale. The inaugural festival will bring over 40 authors to Preston this September for a celebration of crime writing, readers, new voices, creative communities and storytelling. The festival will host bestsellers, award-winners, and rising stars.

The event has been been founded by Christie J. Newport, award-winning local author of The Preston Murders Series, who 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. “

The festival is co-founded and co-directed by Christie alongside Samantha Brownley of UK Crime Book Club, and Amy Newport, multi-prize-winning artist and the artist behind the festival’s official logo.

Authors attending the festival include Anna Mazzola, Vaseem Khan, Adele Parks MBE, Lesley Kara, Tim Sullivan, Christie J. Newport, Sam Browneley, Dorothy Koomson, Mari Hannah, Steve Mosby aka Alex North, Guy Hale, Sarah Mellor, Donna Gowland, Paul Finch, Abir Mukherjee, Trevor Wild, Jenny Blackhurst, Caz Frear, Liz Mistry, Caroline England, Andrew James Greig, Simon McLean, Ben Bruce and more.

Adele Parks MBE, Sunday Times #1 Bestseller, said “I’m thrilled to be supporting Preston’s inaugural book festival because I strongly believe in the power of books to bring joy, entertainment, escapism and empathy to all. The north oozes culture and stories and we need to celebrate that as writers and readers. I’m a northerner (Teesside) so I know that sometimes exciting cultural events might seem like something that happens down south, why let them have all the fun?! I hope the local community get right behind this festival and come along even if they don’t consider themselves avid readers and are simply curious. It will be super enjoyable, a genuine celebration. See you there.”

Multi award-winning crime writer Vaseem Khan, who began writing at 17 but faced 23 years of rejection before his first book, The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra, was published, 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.”

Authors attending will also include RC Bridgestock, the husband and wife writing duo Bob and Carol Bridgestock. Bob is an ex-detective with 30-years under his belt and former head of CID with West Yorkshire Police (having worked on major murder investigations such as the Yorkshire Ripper and Robert Black) while Carol worked is a former civilian police supervisor with 17 years experience as well as writing fiction, (their latest book Split Second will have been released a month prior to the festival), They are also known for also advising authors and TV shows etc, such as BAFTA-winning Happy Valley, Scott & Bailey and The Beast Must Die Bob and Carol will be on a panel and also running a workshop to help writers understand how to make their writing authentic.

Steve Mosby, who also writes as Alex North will be on a panel. He is the author of The Whisper Man. The film adaptation of The Whisper Man set to hit Netflix and stars Robert De Niro, Michelle Monaghan and Adam Scott.

Anna Mazzola, Winner of the prestigious CWA Gold Dagger for Crime Novel of the Year 2025. also writes modern legal thrillers as Anna Sharp. She will be on aa panel and will be giving readers the chance to be one of only 14 guests who will read the Book of Secrets before the festival then get to ask all their burning questions.

She said: “ I’m delighted to be part of Preston Crime Fiction Festival. Having spoken on panels and taught workshops at lots of crime fiction and other literary festivals all over the country, I know they can be a great way to bring communities together, to encourage creativity in all ages, to celebrate diverse voices, and to reach people who might never have attended a book event before. I think it’s particularly important to create events for places like Preston that sometimes feel overlooked and that have communities on lower wages, meaning travel to literary events elsewhere is unfeasible. The recently created Stockport Noir has been a huge hit with the local community and brought visitors, and money, to the area. I know that Christie’s energy and enthusiasm will bring about a brilliant, diverse and inclusive festival and I can’t wait to come to Preston and be part of it.”

Lesley Kara is the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Rumour, Who Did You Tell?, The Dare, The Apartment Upstairs and The Other Tenant. She said:” “Preston’s crime fiction festival feels genuinely purposeful. It’s not just a celebration of books, but of people, voices, and connection. There’s a strong sense of openness and accessibility, and a real commitment to championing writers and readers across the North. It creates space for both established authors and those just beginning to explore their writing, strengthening a literary community that is vibrant, diverse, and too often underrepresented.”

“I’m always keen to spend time with readers and writers beyond the usual London- centric circuit, and the North has such a rich and engaged creative community. Opportunities like this help ensure that talent is nurtured and celebrated wherever it’s found. I’m particularly passionate about encouraging those who may feel they’ve come to writing later, because it’s never too late to find your voice or to be heard.”

Tim Sullivan, author of the George Cross series will be on panel. He is also the writer and director behind romantic comedy movie Jack and Sarah starring Richard E. Grant.

The festival has 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 the website: www.prestoncrimefictionfestival.co.uk