Look at the legends joining us as chairs at #baytales27 We’ve got Tim Rideout, @radiomukhers.bsky.social Stewart Bain (who was responsible for the awesome @orkneylibrary.bsky.social account) @alishawkinsauthor.bsky.social & @stephmcgovern.bsky.social Tickets available now: baytales.com/shop-2/ 🤩

We are tremendously saddened to hear about the passing of Simon Bewick. Simon was an integral part to the set up of Bay Tales, and we will always be grateful to him for everything he gave to the festival. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

Woo! We’re buzzing to have Caroline Hulse & William Cook for the 1st time AND to welcome back festival faves @oskarjensen.bsky.social & @janicehallett.bsky.social for #baytales2027 - will you be joining us? Tickets available now, link in bio. #whitleybay #crimefiction @viperbooks.bsky.social

I have the honour of interviewing Cathy Rentzenbrink at Gala Durham on Tues 1 Sept thanks to Collected Booms - we’ll be chatting about her excellent novel ‘The Agatha Christie Cure’ which is an absolute gem of a read. Do join us. galadurham.co.uk/galapost/cat...

We are delighted to announce the authors joining us from @panmacmillan.bsky.social for #baytales27 We’ll have @jomurraywrites.bsky.social @fionacumminsauthor.bsky.social & Jeffrey Boakye at Whitley Bay Playhouse on Sat 27 Feb. Tickets are just £44.55 FOR THE WHOLE DAY. Grab yours while you can!

Getting ready to announce our next guest at #baytales27 We’re really proud to champion debut authors at our event every year and 2027 will be no different. Are there any crime debuts you’ve read / heard about recently and would like to see on our stage?

🗡️COMING SOON! 🖤 Can’t wait for @cressidadowning.bsky.social to join us! Consider The Ravens … a medieval murder mystery set on Holy Island … 🌟 LJ Ross prize winner 📍The Accidental Bookshop, Alnwick 🎟️ www.ticketsource.com/forumbooks/t... @thecrackmagazine.bsky.social @baytales.bsky.social

🍊ONE WEEK!!!💥 … til @dvbishop.com takes us to 1540, the hills north of Florence, Tuscany for mystery & murder … 🗡️ join us for a vino and fine crime chat 📍 FORUM Books 🎟️ www.ticketsource.com/forumbooks/f... @baytales.bsky.social @panmacmillan.bsky.social @thecrackmagazine.bsky.social

The 💥NEW💥 @tariqashkanani.bsky.social is ‘all killer, no filler’!! We’re more than thrilled he’s coming to us & would love to see you there 🗓️ May 19, 7pm 📍 the bound, Whitley Bay 🎟️ www.ticketsource.com/forumbooks/t... @viperbooks.bsky.social @thecrackmagazine.bsky.social @baytales.bsky.social

ONE WEEK!! Join us with TWO crime legends in Newcastle! Jane Harper #LastOneOut & @anncleeves.bsky.social #TheKillingStones in conversation 👌 🗓️ Fri May 1st 📍The Biscuit Factory 🎟️ www.ticketsource.com/forumbooks/a... @panmacmillan.bsky.social @baytales.bsky.social @thecrackmagazine.bsky.social

Patron’s Pick at #baytales27 is @louisewelsh00.bsky.social @anncleeves.bsky.social is keen to introduce you to Louise & her work on Sat 27 Feb ‘27 & we know Ann’s endorsement means a lot to the authors she supports as well as readers who trust her judgement. Book tickets now! baytales.com/shop-2/

We promised ourselves that once we hit 200 tickets sold for #baytales27 we’d reveal our first guest so here she is! We are absolutely over the moon that Australian crime writing legend Jane Harper will be joining us on Sat 27 Feb ‘27. 🤩 Get your tickets now! baytales.com/shop-2/

It’s a week since #baytales26 and we already have a guest confirmed and they’re a CORKER. Any guesses who it could be? #baytales27 #whitleybay #readersofìnstagram #specialguest

Heading home after a bloody awesome @baytales.bsky.social festival. And as terrifying as it was Noir At The Bar was one epic night. 😁 #booksky @vulpinepress.bsky.social

Had a fantastic time at #BayTales26. The panels were varied, interesting and hugely entertaining. Many thanks to @vpeanuts.bsky.social, @anncleeves.bsky.social, @baytales.bsky.social and all the volunteers

Public service announcement! There are roadworks and temporary traffic lights on the seafront between Waves Leisure Centre and Spanish City so please leave plenty of time to make your journey tomorrow. Doors open at 8:45am!!🚙🚗🚙🚗🚙🚗

Dr Tim Rideout@drtimrideout.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Spring is on its way, the sea seems to tell us. Whitley Bay. @baytales.bsky.social 2026

To celebrate #NationalYearofReading, we’re running a postcard exchange w/ the National Literacy Trust. Write a kind msg, favourite book quote or book rec for someone else to pick up. Take a fellow crime fiction fan's message home with you. A lush opp to connect over our shared love of reading!

Random thought of the day: if fans of Harry Styles are called Harries and Taylor Swift lovers are Swifties, what should the #baytales equivalent be? 🤔

Ee! Look at this year’s cocktails! 🤩🤩🤩 Very limited quantities of each to buy exclusively at #baytales26 this Saturday. Have you got your tickets yet? baytales.com/shop-2/

What’s that you say? Little old me taking part in #noiratthebaybar at @baytales.bsky.social next weekend? So excited to be on the bill for this and talk all things Troublemaker. It’s going to be an awesome weekend. 😁 #booksky @vulpinepress.bsky.social

Bay Tales@baytales.bsky.social · 9mo ago

4 fab fringe events as part of #baytales26 - free & exclusive to ticketholders. Book your space via our website! baytales.com/fringe-events/

Timetable for next week’s #baytales26

And the books in these bags are 🔥🔥🔥

Vic Watson-Logan@vpeanuts.bsky.social · 8mo ago

I don’t post pics of my kids online - and never have - but please know that if you get a @baytales.bsky.social tote and it has some Play Doh in it, I had a little helper (AKA the real boss) when preparing this year.

Fancy having your pitch reviewed by Stephanie Glencross & Maddalena Cavacuiti of David Higham Associates? Buy a ticket for #BayTales26 and register for Making Waves, our fab free fringe event! Email your pitch to reception@davidhigham.co.uk before 20 Feb. Info here: baytales.com/event/making...

4 fab fringe events as part of #baytales26 - free & exclusive to ticketholders. Book your space via our website! baytales.com/fringe-events/

To celebrate the release of 'Enigma by the Sea’, we have a copy to give away thanks to the kind folk at Bitter Lemon Press. Follow us and @bitterlemonpress.bsky.social like and share this to be in with a chance of winning. UK only. Closes at 12pm on 22/01/26

#baytales26 includes a one-day event at #WhitleyBay Playhouse feat 20 of the UK’s best and brightest crime fic authors as well as 4 FREE fringe events, exclusive to ticketholders (spaces limited, register via our website)! All of this for just £41.75 per person! Book now: baytales.com/shop-2/

Bay Tales ticket holders: have you nabbed your space? baytales.com/event/making...

Bay Tales@baytales.bsky.social · last yr.

MAKING WAVES 🌊🌊🌊: Stephanie Glencross & Maddalena Cavaciuti of @davidhighambooks will appear @LaurelsWhitley on 27/2/26 Pitch your MS ahead of time for the chance for it to be discussed (anon) on the day! *open to #baytales26 ticketholders only* Further into: baytales.com/event/making...

Spaces going fast! Register now: baytales.com/event/the-ba...

Alys Cummings@alyseliza.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Q. What’s the only thing that’s (very, very nearly) as much fun as reading a crime novel?? A. A crime fiction quiz! Mix things up a bit, come along! 🕵🏻‍♀️ I’m very much looking forward to co-hosting a crime quiz as a fringe event following some brilliant panels @baytales.bsky.social

We are delighted to be part of the #goallin campaign with The Literacy Trust & are excited to be welcoming them for a very special #take10 at #baytales26 #amreading #nationalyearofreading

This offer is now live! Buy a ticket for #baytales26 and get a free book! baytales.com/shop-2/

Bay Tales@baytales.bsky.social · 11mo ago

Looking for a really original gift for the bookworm in your life? A ticket to #baytales26 could be just what you’re looking for! We’ll even throw in a free book with every ticket purchased between 1 & 14 Dec. Visit our website to grab your tickets now! #amreading #whitleybay #giftideas #shoplocal