National Crime Reading month sees famous writer visit Peterborough school
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Best-selling crime writer John Dean helped mark National Crime Reading Month (NCRM) with a visit to Jack Hunt School in Peterborough on Wednesday 26th June.
The former crime journalist, turned famous crime author, will visit the secondary school, part of the Peterborough Keys Academies Trust, to deliver crime fiction workshops to students and a talk to staff. The workshops will examine how to create a crime novel. The school have a regular after-school creative writing group for pupils, which takes place in its library. The aim is to develop a love of writing and encourage students to experiment working with different genres and learn new skills. John’s visit will allow students to learn from a bestselling author and experience firsthand what is involved in creating a novel.
John Dean has had 24 crime novels published by London-based publisher The Book Folks and is the creator of the DCI John Blizzard and DCI Jack Harris series of novels. Top sellers include ‘How To Catch A Lie,’ and ‘The Name On The Bullet.’
The author, who lives on the west coast of Scotland, is the Crime Writers’ Association’s (CWA) Library Champion in Scotland, one of several UK champions who assist the CWA in its work supporting libraries.
He said: “I am looking forward to my visit to Jack Hunt School. Any new venture that seeks to encourage the next generation of authors is to be applauded, particularly if it takes place in a school library.”
Mr Jon Hebblethwaite, Headteacher of Jack Hunt School said: “We are thrilled to welcome John Dean to our school. Jack Hunt School hosts an after-school creative writing group for students to cultivate and pursue their passion for writing. John's visit will provide our students with a unique opportunity to gain insight into the novel-writing process.”
Run by the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) in partnership with national charity, The Reading Agency, NCRM is a festival that takes place throughout June across the UK and Ireland, culminating in the CWA Daggers awards ceremony at the end of the month. It aims to promote and celebrate crime reading through events and activities, online and in person, in bookshops, libraries, museums, theatres and other locations.
