Two popular crime writers and one of the genre’s most respected editors will help authors develop their craft when a hotel in Kirkcudbright, in Dumfries and Galloway hosts a specially-organised weekend of events later this year.
Entitled Crime Fiction at the Selkirk Arms in Kirkcudbright, the inaugural event will take place at the four-star hotel in High Street between October 10-12, 2025. The residential event will begin on the Friday evening when those taking part will have a unique opportunity to talk to Dea Parkin, Ian Robinson and John Dean, who will join them for dinner in an event called Supper and Sleuthing.
Dea Parkin is an associate member of the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) through her editorial consultancy Fiction Feedback, based in Chorley in Lancashire, of which she is the owner and Editor-in Chief. It specialises in critiquing and editing crime and historical fiction and Dea and her team have worked alongside some of crime fiction’s biggest agents and publishers.
Authors Ian Robinson and John Dean live in Dumfries and Galloway and are published by Joffe Books, which recently took over their publisher The Book Folks and is one of the UK’s most successful indelpendent publishers of crime fiction.
Ian, a former Metropolitan Police detective, writes the popular DS Sam Batford and Nick Moretti and Pippa Nash London Crimes series. Former newspaper Crime Reporter John created the best-selling DCI John Blizzard and DCI Jack Harris series, of which 23 titles have been published.
The Friday night dinner will be followed by a short talk delivered by Dea, ending with a question and answer session with Dea, Ian and John.
The event will be followed by a weekend crime writing workshop led by Dea, with sessions on Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, covering topics as diverse as the craft of crime writing to how to impress agents and publishers.
Chris Walker, Owner of The Selkirk Arms, said: “The Selkirk Arms is thrilled to host its inaugural Crime Writing Weekend this October, featuring luminaries like crime editor Dea Parkin and local crime writers Ian Robinson and John Dean for a weekend of thrilling tales and inspiring conversations.”
Dea said: ‘I’m delighted to be asked to help the writers of Kirkcudbright and beyond to hone their craft and learn more about the publishing world and its opportunities. As an editor, advisor, and the Competitions Coordinator for the Crime Writers’ Association, where I facilitate the prestigious Emerging Author Dagger, I’m well placed to help writers develop both in terms of their writing and their approaches to getting published.’
Ian Robinson said: “It’s a privilege to be invited to attend this event. I look forward to engaging with fellow writers and to help in any way I can.”
John Dean said: “The area has a strong connection to crime fiction and we hope that this event will be the first of a number to take place in the town in the years to come.”
Dumfries and Galloway’s crime fiction tradition includes being home to a number of authors, some of whom set their novels amid its stunning landscape.
The most famous crime novel featuring Kirkcudbright itself can be traced back to 1931. Written by Dorothy L Sayers. Five Red Herrings saw the legendary author bring her celebrated fictional investigator Lord Peter Wimsey to the town on a holiday, which is interrupted when he investigates the murder of a local artist. The novel, which is still available in ebook and hardcopy formats, continues to be regarded as a classic of the genre.
The price for the weekend, which includes accommodation, meals and the workshops, is £315pp, based on two sharing a twin or double, and £380pp single occupancy. Places are limited to 16 and can be booked at The Selkirk Arms Hotel High Street, Kirkcudbright DG6 4JG01557 330402 Website: www.selkirkarmshotel.co.uk
