Howard Marks, Martina Cole, Dreda Say Mitchell

Available for over a year

Mark Lawson reports from the recent Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate looking at the way the backgrounds of various writers, including former criminals, have influenced their writing. Howard Marks explains why a change in rules preventing criminals profiting from their crimes led to his first crime novel. Martina Cole and Dreda Say Mitchell discuss portraying East End communities and the responses their books get when they visit prisons. We eavesdrop on a book signing with former prisoners Erwin James, Cass Pennant and Jonathan Aitken. And three authors Charles Cumming, Nick Stone and Tana French discuss giving old stories new twists and their attitude to e books, email and contacting readers. Producer Robyn Read.