Iowa Reader on Yorkshire Book Tour
A few days ago I was lucky enough to have been a delegate at the UK Crime Literature Festival. Based in Harrogate at the beautifully refurbished Crown Hotel, the event was a packed four days of talks, discussions and panel interviews. Sponsored by Theakstons Brewery, who funded this years Crime Book award. More about this in a different blog!
One of the other delegates was Jim Harris from Iowa City and the man who for 30 years ran the Prairie Lights bookstore in the centre of town. For those of you who do not know this bookstore regularly has five or more readings by authors each week and has a great community feel to the place. He was taking advantage of the opportunity to match his love of good books with the crime genre and make some new friends. www.prairielightsbooks.com
After the event he travelled to Whitby (setting for the early scenes in Bram Stoker’s gothic epic Dracula) and the North Yorkshire Moors, visiting Hutton le Hole and Great Ayton (birthplace of Captain Cook). He also wanted to visit Coxwold, the tiny hamlet that was home to Lawrence Stern who was the author of Tristan Shandy, a book considered to be one of the early examples of the popular novel.
What was great about spending time with Jim was his rich knowledge of the landscape of Yorkshire from a literary perspective. Together with some friends we met up in Ilkley afterwards and enjoyed time at Betty’s and at the Ilkley Vaults, a fine little gastro pub that serves great ale (Timothy Taylor’s Landlord was excellent that night), and delicious food prepared on the premises. www.ilkleymoorvaults.co.uk Try the gravy rich Theakston’s Ale Pie, or the mouth watering Rum & Raisin ice cream served with a generous slug of Pedro Ximenez!
It showed me that a little preparation and some background research into a place you want to visit, can yield a better and more fulfilling experience. And of course, it is always good to be in the company of people with similar interests and passions.
Nick Sturgeon runs an annual Retreat for Non-Fiction Writers and in November 2008 this will be held in a beautiful venue on the North Yorkshire Coast for a small group who want to see themselves in print and earning from their writing. nick@smallbusinessbigprofit.co.uk for more information.
