The Crime Writers’ Association has announced that it has created the role of Festival Liaison Officer. Isabelle Grey and William Shaw will share the role, which is intended to strengthen connections between fellow crime writers and literary and arts festivals.

Martin Edwards, the Chair of the CWA, said: “The number and quality of festivals is growing rapidly, throughout the UK and overseas. The huge popularity of crime writing means we want to increase opportunities for readers to meet our members. In addition to dedicated crime writing festivals, there are already many literary and arts festivals where crime writers take part. Isabelle and William are not only leading crime writers but also regular participants in crime festivals, while William has experience of organising festivals in the south of England.

“The CWA wants to help festival organisers to connect with our members, linking in with regional CWA chapters, as well as the national organisation. Festivals are a hugely enjoyable part of the literary scene, whether you’re considering large conventions such as CrimeFest in Bristol, the Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival at Harrogate and Bloody Scotland at Stirling, or smaller festivals such as Newcastle Noir, Noirwich, Capital Crime, Killer Women also in London, Morecambe and Vice, Alibis in the Archive in North Wales and Murder One in Dublin. Isabelle and William will lead our drive to make sure that festival-goers everywhere have a chance to hear and meet crime writers, and discover new favourites.”

Isabelle Grey said: “This is a great opportunity for the CWA to show itself as a vital resource for crime, literary and arts festivals, with the aim of enabling a wider range of crime writers to contribute, especially to festivals local to them or their books.”

The appointment of Isabelle and William follows the CWA’s appointment of three Libraries Champions and a Booksellers’ Champion, with the aim of connecting crime writers with libraries, bookshops, and the reading public.

Isabelle and William can be reached on festivals@thecwa.co.uk