Killer Women Festival Programme 2020
The full programme for the Killer Women Crime Writing Festival 2020 — a day of panels, debates, masterclasses, and crime fiction celebration.
About the Festival
The 2020 Killer Women Crime Writing Festival brought together the UK’s finest crime authors, forensic experts, detectives, and publishing professionals for a packed day of events. Building on the success of previous years, the festival expanded its programme to include new formats — from courtroom-style debates to interactive forensic workshops.
With a strong focus on justice, truth, and the moral complexities of crime fiction, the 2020 edition tackled some of the genre’s most pressing questions. The programme featured keynote conversations, panel discussions, writing masterclasses, and social events designed to bring readers and writers together.
Full Programme
Morning Sessions
Doors Open & Registration
Welcome coffee and pastries. Collect your festival lanyard and programme guide.
Opening Keynote: The State of Crime Fiction
A sweeping address on where the genre stands in 2020 — from the rise of domestic noir to the explosion of true crime podcasts, and what it all means for crime writers and readers.
Justice on Trial →
A courtroom-style debate on whether crime fiction serves justice or undermines it. Authors and legal professionals go head-to-head in this provocative session.
Read full report »Masterclass: Plotting the Perfect Crime
An intensive workshop on plot construction, red herrings, and pacing. Led by a bestselling Killer Women author, this session takes writers from concept to chapter plan.
Afternoon Sessions
Lunch & Book Signings
Browse the festival bookshop, meet authors for signings, and enjoy lunch from our street food partners.
The Dark Web: Crime in the Digital Age
How cybercrime, social media stalking, and digital forensics are reshaping the crime novel. Featuring authors who have woven technology into their plots alongside a real-world cybercrime investigator.
Writing Trauma: Ethics & Responsibility
A nuanced panel on the responsibilities crime writers bear when depicting violence, trauma, and its aftermath. How do we tell dark stories without exploiting real suffering?
Tea Break & Forensic Workshop
A hands-on forensic evidence workshop where attendees examined mock crime scenes, analysed fingerprints, and learned about blood spatter patterns from a former Scene of Crime Officer.
International Noir: Crime Without Borders
A globe-trotting panel exploring crime fiction from Scandinavia, Japan, Italy, and Latin America. How do different cultures approach crime, justice, and punishment in their fiction?
Masterclass: Finding Your Voice in Crime
Led by literary agents and editors, this session focused on developing a distinctive authorial voice, understanding the market, and crafting a submission that stands out.
Evening Sessions
In Conversation: Headline Interview
An intimate, wide-ranging conversation with one of crime fiction’s greatest living authors — covering craft, career, controversies, and the books that changed everything.
Killer Women Awards Ceremony
The announcement of the annual Killer Women Awards, celebrating the best debut, best novel, and best contribution to crime fiction over the past year.
Closing Drinks & Festival Party
Killer Women cocktails, live music, and the chance to mingle with authors, agents, editors, and fellow crime fans. The perfect end to a day steeped in crime.