The Bookseller – News – Jane Gregory Bursaries applications open for Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 2025
Bursary Description
Applications are now open for the Jane Gregory Bursaries, which offer three underrepresented writers a unique opportunity to attend the Creative Thursday writing day at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 2025.
Creative Thursday is pitched by organiser Harrogate International Festivals as “an immersive and inspiring day of workshops and talks led by industry experts and bestselling crime writers” including Vaseem Khan, Mick Herron, Will Dean and Laura Shepherd-Robinson. It takes place on 17th July, the opening day of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate.
The Jane Gregory Bursaries were created to support the next generation of crime writers, offering recipients the opportunity to access the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival. One of the bursaries incorporates a Weekend Break Package with accommodation and tickets to all Festival main stage events, while the Festival’s Creative Thursday Workshops are offered in all three bursaries, along with travel contributions.
The four bursaries offer opportunities to attend the annual Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival and are open to aspiring writers from under-represented groups including, but not limited to, individuals who are Black, Asian or part of a Minority Ethnic group, those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community or those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Literary agent Jane Gregory, who helped co-found the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival said: “Everyone needs a little help along the way, and I sincerely hope that these bursaries will offer some amazing opportunities to aspiring writers. The funding will help to ensure that anyone, regardless of their situation or background, can have access to creative writing, whether they plan to write for themselves or if they wish to develop into a literary prize winner and bestseller.”
Crime and mystery fiction author and McDermid Debut Award winner Suzy Aspley said: “I took part in Creative Thursday in the summer of 2019, which was a pivotal year for me. I remember the brilliant and inspiring writing session with Isabel Ashdown and Kate Rhodes and getting the chance to pitch at Dragon’s Pen when Jane Gregory was on the panel. Coming back last year as an author on the McDermid Debut shortlist was a dream come true. I’m certain these bursaries will help inspire new writers to find their creative path and create new crime fiction stars of the future.”
The Harrogate International Festivals team, in collaboration with Jane Gregory, will review all applications and award the bursaries to support the successful applicants on their creative journeys. For more details about how to apply visit The Jane Gregory Bursaries – Harrogate International Festivals.