Saturday, July 24, 2010
Harrogate Crime Writing Festival

From the Harrogate website:

Putting the Boot In
It’s not about happily ever after, it’s about how much fun you can have torturing your protagonists. Writers on the bleeding edge of crime fiction invite you into their dark and twisted worlds. Featuring Ray Banks, Charlie Williams, Craig Russell while Martyn Waites hosts.

Also I will be taking part in the reading group via KING OF THE ROAD (13:00) and guesting at the murder mystery dinner (18:15)... all on the Saturday

Thursday, May 20, 2010
Firestation Book Swap

Regular monthly night at the Firestation in Windsor where Scott Pack and Marie Phillips talk to guest authors and everyone eats cake and brings a book to swap. I will be a guest along with the historian Kate Williams. So if you're hanging around the M4 corridor, come along (location at the above link). And a bring a book.

Tuesday, Novemer 10, 2009
University of Kent, Canterbury

I will be the guest of the Creative Writing people there, giving a talk and maybe a very short reading or two and basically spilling my guts about writing. This event is open to the public, so do come if you are in that corner of the world. (Contact the English Dept at the uni for details. Sorry.)

November, 2009
A trio of Ark showings

The rather unique short film ARK (written by me) will be showing at these festivals:

Razor Reel Fantastic Film Festival, Bruges, 3-8 November
Asiania International Short Film Festival, Seoul, 5-10 November
Encounters, Bristol, 17-21 November

If you are in one of those places at the correct time, check it the hell out!

Saturday, September 5, 2009
Waterstones, Worcester

I will be signing copies of Stairway to Hell and shooting the breeze with anyone who is up for it at 11am-1pm (I believe). This is the Waterstones branch in The Shambles, not the one in the High Street. If you are around, please do drop in. I swear I am not insane.

FACT: most of the book takes place in a fictionalised version of Worcester.

Saturday, August 29, 2009
Waterstones, Gloucester

I will be signing copies of Stairway to Hell at Waterstones in Eastgate St from 11am. Do come and let me convince you that this is a life-changing book.

FACT: if you are in Worcester and you need to get to the sea on a raft, you have to pass through Gloucester.

Saturday, August 22, 2009
Borders, Birmingham

I will be signing copies of Stairway to Hell at Borders in the Bullring, Birmingham at 1-3pm. If you are around, please do drop in. I am approachable and house-trained.

FACT: some of the book takes place in a fictionalised version of the Bullring, Birmingham.

August 20, 2009
STAIRWAY TO HELL published in UK

4-6 June, 2009
Festival Opalciné, le Touquet

ARK (screenplay by me) has been picked to compete at the tiny and perfectly-formed Festival of French and British short films in Le Touquet on 4-6 June.

21 May, 2009
Cannes Film Festival

ARK will be screened as part of the short film selection "Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down", curated by Danny Lennon of the ONF/NFB of Canada. Check it out at 1330 in Palais F. ARK will also be available to view in Cannes throughout the festival at the Short Film Corner.

16 May, 2009
Bibliothèque de Littérature Policière, Paris

They are staging a book festival at BILIPO on the 11th-16th. I will be there on the final day, 16.00 - 17.30, talking about humour in crime books alongside Colin Bateman and Colin Thibert. There is some info here (scroll down to samedi).

21-27 August, 2008
Palm Springs International Shortfest

Short film ARK, written by me, will be there. I will not be there. Damn.

06 March, 2008
Foire du Livre de Bruxelles

...which means Brussels Book Fair, I believe. I will be doing a panel there at 9pm on the 6th, along with Antoine Chainas and some others that I haven't been informed of. Des Clopes et de la Binouse will be published by Série Noire/Gallimard the previous day. It'll be great, so I'll see you there if you can make it. If you come up to me afterwards and say the codeword "Marc Stevens", I'll buy you a bottle of Stella Artois.

30 March - 1 April, 2007
Quais du Polar

French noir festival in Lyon. Other foreign guests besides myself to include Daniel Woodrell, Mark Billingham, Robert Crais, Bill James, John Harvey and fellow Serpent's Tail guy Jonathan Trigell. I haven't spoken French in a long time, but I'm going to try.

July, 2006
Harrogate Crime Writing Festival

From the Harrogate website:

Unique voices
Fri 21 July, 3.30 - 4.30pm

Whether it’s John Connolly’s supernatural noir, Stella Duffy dealing with contemporary celebrity culture, Shane Maloney’s Australian political slapstick or Charlie Williams’ darkly comic market-town misery, this is a panel of unique voices talking about the ups and downs of being different, and how their work is marketed in an industry which all too often pigeonholes writers. Legal beagle and crime-fiction critic for The Times, Marcel Berlins chairs.

16-19 March, 2006
Left Coast Crime Convention

I'll be on a couple of panels. Click the link above for details.

Thursday, February 9th, 2006
Ottakars, Worcester

Launch event for KING OF THE ROAD. Reading, questions, dancing etc. Check the Ottakers website for details.

February 7, 2006
KING OF THE ROAD published in UK

Saturday, August 20, 2005
Green Man Festival

As last year, will be doing a reading (probably from FAGS AND LAGER) at this great folk festival at Baskerville Hall on the Welsh borders. Also appearing book-wise: John Williams, Rob Lewis... and music-wise: Will Oldham, Joanna Newson, etc.

Saturday, July 23, 2005
Port Eliot Lit Fest

I will be doing some sort of sketch with Robert Lewis. All under wraps just now, but it will probably involve a private eye, a nightclub doorman, and some fighting. (We're both cruiserweights so don't worry - it's a fair match up.) Don't miss this! (Also appearing at the fest are Michael Foot, Louis de Bernieres, Toby Litt, Geoff Dyer, Hari Kunzru, etc...)

CANCELLED. Sorry.

Wednesday, June 1, 2005
Guardian Hay Festival

I will be appearing on The Review Stage at 6pm, alongside James Hawes and Robert Lewis. James will be reading from SPEAK FOR ENGLAND, Rob from THE LAST LLANELLI TRAIN, and me from FAGS AND LAGER. Tickets are 5 quid!

For proof that I'm not making this all up about appearing at Hay, see here.

May 10, 2005
Radio interview on BBC Hereford & Worcester

Pick it up on the web here (I think).

May 10, 2005
FAGS AND LAGER published in UK

Saturday, March 5, 2005
Bath Literature Festival

The website for the venue (Rondo Theatre, Bath) says this:

Wales and West Country Noir - Four of the Best

Sat 5th March at 8:30pm

James White Merc with Fins Hawes, Niall Griffiths (Sheepshagger, Grits), and Desmond Barry (A Bloody Good Friday, The Chivalry of Crime) are joined by new writer Charlie Williams (Deadfolk) to talk about drink, drugs, sex, riots, chainsaws and the state of the nation... and the new directions they're taking in their latest novels. Expect a riotous and hard-hitting evening.

In association with Ty Newydd

Tickets: £5, Concs£4

Thursday, October 21, 2004
Birmingham Book Festival

Joint event with Mark Billingham. Starts at 7:30pm.

Location: The Glee Club, Hurst Street, Birmingham. Festival details here.

September 15, 2004
Deadfolk Published in USA (by Serpent's Tail)

Saturday, August 21, 2004
The Green Man Festival

Another festival... but this one's a folk one. I'll be there, reading from DEADFOLK and trying to convince everyone that it's not about the music. It's at Baskerville Hall near Hay-on-Wye on the aforementioned date at 4pm, and John Williams will also be in attendance. Check out this website for details.

Wednesday-Friday, August 11-13, 2004
Guest Blogging

Sarah Weinman has graciously invited me to guest at her fabulous crime fiction-oriented blog, Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind. Do drop in. And look out for other guests there this month.

Sunday, August 1, 2004
The Big Chill Festival

I will be reading from DEADFOLK at the Big Chill Festival which takes place at Eastnor Deer Park in the Malvern Hills. I will be in the MediaMix tent - if I can find it - at 4:30pm on the Sunday. Check the festival website for ticket availability.

Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Ottakars, Worcester

I will be reading from DEADFOLK at Ottakers Bookshop in The Shambles, Worcester. Exact time yet to be announced, but probably something like 6pm. No European Championship footy on this day so no excuses.

Thursday, June 3, 2004
DEADFOLK Published

What bigger event can there be than this one? I've waited a long time for this. If you feel so inclined (on June 3 or later) go to your local bookshop and buy a copy. Or get it through one of the links here. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.

Another related event will be posted here shortly.