Teesside’s largest literary festival will return this year between 9 – 24 June, and new for this year is the chance to take part in a short story competition with a range of cash prizes up for grabs.
Now in its fourth year, the festival is organised by library services across the Tees Valley including Stockton, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Darlington.
Redcar and Cleveland libraries are also taking part for the first time this year and will be hosting a range of events across the town.
The festival is programmed entirely by the library services and ARC Stockton and is supported by Arts Council England and local councils who, together, have organised a range of interactive events.
Themes this year range from fashion to murder mysteries, and there is a special performance from Streetwise Opera.
Highlights this year includes a meet and greet discussion with the star of Channel 5’s The Yorkshire Vet series, Julian Norton, and international best seller Sophie Hannah will be discussing her latest psychological thriller novel as well as her Hercule Poirot mysteries, which have been written with the blessing of Agatha Christie’s estate.
The popular Lipstick Library and History Wardrobe sessions are also returning and there’s chance to solve a murder mystery and have a cocktail or two at the same time at the Killer Women Murder Mystery event. Middlesbrough-based writer and poet Andy Willoughby will be presenting his poem Between Stations and there will be plenty of opportunities to chat to local and international writers to get some top writing tips.
This year the festival has introduced an official Writer in Residence, a role which will be filled by Tracey Iceton.
Tracey, a former teacher and now full time author from Teesside, will be hosting a range of writing workshops, as well as posting regular blog posts on the festival’s website, and she will be offering advice to budding authors who are wishing to take their first steps into the world of short story writing.
If you fancy having a go at writing your own masterpiece, you can take part in the festival’s first short story competition. Budding authors and creative writers are invited to share their stories for a chance to appear in a published anthology and take home a cash prize of either £100 for 1st prize , £75 for 2nd prize or £50 for 3rd prize.
The theme for your story should be based on Crossing the Tees, so take a look through the website at www.crossingthetees.org and see what is happening, perhaps picking a certain angle or be inspired by some of the authors books or events.
Entry forms and more information can be found at www.crossingthetees.org, closing date for entries is midnight 30 September 2017.
Each workshop or event as part of the festival is priced differently and booking is essential unless otherwise stated.
Tickets for all Crossing the Tees events can be purchased through our Box Office in person or by calling 01642 525199 or by booking online.
General information including ticket prices and dates and times can also be found at www.crossingthetees.org.uk.