John Dean – Crime Writer

Two popular crime writers and one of the genre’s most respected editors will help authors develop their craft when a hotel in Dumfries and Galloway hosts a specially-organised weekend of events later this year.

Entitled Crime Fiction at the Selkirk Arms in Kirkcudbright, the event will take place at the four-star hotel in High Street between November 27-29, 2026.

The residential event will begin on the Friday evening when those taking part will have an opportunity to talk to Dea Parkin, Ian Robinson and John Dean, who will join them for dinner in an event called Supper and Sleuthing.

Dea is the former General Coordinator and an associate member of the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) through her editorial consultancy Fiction Feedback, of which she is owner and Editor-in-chief. It specialises in critiquing and editing crime and historical fiction, and Dea and her team have worked alongside some of crime fiction’s biggest authors, agents and publishers. This year, Dea is a judge on the Historical Dagger and Fiction Feedback sponsors the Emerging Author Dagger, a competition for unpublished crime writers.

Authors Ian Robinson and John Dean  live in Dumfries and Galloway and are published by Joffe Books, which recently took over their publisher The Book Folks and is one of the UK’s most successful publishers of crime fiction.

Ian, a former Metropolitan Police detective, writes the popular DS Sam Batford and Nick Moretti and Pippa Nash London Crimes series. Former newspaper Crime Reporter John created the best-selling DCI John Blizzard and DCI Jack Harris series, of which 25 titles have been published.

The Friday night dinner will be followed by a short talk delivered by Dea, ending with a question and answer session with Dea, Ian and John.

The event will be followed by a weekend crime writing workshop led by Dea, with sessions on Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, covering topics as diverse as the craft of crime writing to how to impress agents and publishers.

Chris Walker, Owner of The Selkirk Arms, said: “The Selkirk Arms is thrilled to host the Crime Writing Weekend, featuring luminaries like crime editor Dea Parkin and local crime writers Ian Robinson and John Dean for a weekend of thrilling tales and inspiring conversations.”

Ian Robinson said: “It’s a privilege to be invited to attend this event. I look forward to engaging with fellow writers and to help in any way I can.”

Dea said: “I work with so many talented writers, and alongside the agents and publishers who could give them a contract, and it’s one of the most satisfying aspects of my work to help match them up. I’m looking forward to showing writers how to approach publishing professionals in a way that will get their attention. I’m also looking forward to my first visit to Kirkcudbright!”

John Dean said: “The area has a strong connection to crime fiction and we hope that this event will build on that interest.”

Dumfries and Galloway’s crime fiction tradition includes being home to a number of authors, some of whom set their novels amid its stunning landscape.

The most famous crime novel featuring Kirkcudbright itself can be traced back to 1931. Written by Dorothy L Sayers. Five Red Herrings saw the legendary author bring her celebrated fictional investigator Lord Peter Wimsey to the town on a holiday, which is interrupted when he investigates the murder of a local artist. The novel, which is still available in ebook and hardcopy formats, continues to be regarded as a classic of the genre.

The price for the weekend, which includes accommodation, meals and the workshops, is £315pp. Places are limited to 16 and can be booked at The Selkirk Arms Hotel High Street, Kirkcudbright DG6 4JG Tel: 01557 330402 Website: http://www.selkirkarmshotel.co.uk

The event is part of work being done to develop the already-thriving crime writing scene in Kirkcudbright and the surrounding area.