The organisers did a great job, from the line-up of events, to creating an atmosphere where authors, readers, and reviewers etc can all mingle together freely over the course of the weekend. Before I came, I thought the sessions would be the most important part of the festival - but as many others had and have told me, it's all the other bits in between that make Harrogate special, and elevate it above many other good books conventions and festivals. The sessions are wonderful, but it's everything else that adds to the really special recipe to create a wonderful concoction.
There's a lot I can and will say about Harrogate, in the coming days and weeks etc, but for now I thought I'd give you all a bit of a tiny taste of the past three days, via this photo:
The Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate - venue for the festival, and historically famous as the place Agatha Christie resurfaced after an unexplained absence. If you look closely, the group behind the yellow car includes authors Harlan Coben, Simon Kernick, Stuart MacBride, and more - that sums up Harrogate - authors and readers all mingling together over the course of three days.
It was my first time at the festival this year and what a fantastic one is was! Hoping to go next year too!
ReplyDeleteGreat to meet you, Craig. And thanks so much for your kind words about Black Monastery. Stav @stavsherez
ReplyDeleteReading of your own experiences with The Harrogate Festival brought back my own fond flasbacks of reading and writing festivals I've attended over the years. I've got to get back on the road. The Internet is anazing with Twitter, book blogs and Facebook but nothing can beat the feelings we cultivate with reality and the face-to-face feelings so stirred.
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