Here are just some of the events I spoke at in 2025…
Royal St George Yacht Club Lunch
Date: February 20th 2025
Time: 12.30pm
(Members only)
Granite Noir 2025
A storm intervened so I couldn’t get to Aberdeen, but you can watch back Gripping Thrillers, where I should have been below (begins at 34.00)
There is no better feeling than getting lost in a thrilling novel unable to stop turning the pages! Barrister Tony Kent draws us into a world of espionage and spy-hunting in his fast paces thriller The Shadow Network. In The Killing Sense, Sam Blake takes us to Paris in this dangerous thriller where potential dangers lies around every corner. There is a killer stalking the streets of Edinburgh in James Oswald’s latest in the Sunday Times-bestselling Inspector McLean series. Books we promise you won’t be able to put down! Event is chaired by Bryan Burnett.
But I did manage to zoom in for A Celebration of the Work of PD James with Harriet Tyce
To coincide with the reissue of the Adam Dalgliesh mystery series, and ten years after her death, Granite Noir brings together a panel of industry experts to celebrate the work of one of crime fiction’s most influential figures. P.D. James was a bestselling and internationally acclaimed author whose immense contribution was recognised with many awards and prizes including the CWA Diamond Dagger for lifetime contribution, the Mystery Writers of America Grandmaster Award, and induction into the Crime Writing Hall of Fame.
Watch back here – we’re on at 1.21.40 (I’m very large!!) Brilliant charing by Harriet and Elizabeth has an absolute wealth of knowledge!
World Book Day 2025
Date: March 6th 2025
Where: Mount Anville School
SCHOOLS EVENT
Here I am with the girls from Mount Anville on World Book Day – what a wonderful audience, they were so engaged and had so many brilliant questions about the writing process. Their library is such a lovely room, full of light & books. I love how, for everyone using it, their story is just starting…
Herts Libraries 100 Year Celebration
Date: March 13th
Time: 19.00 – 20.30
Where: Marshalswick Library, St Albans
“Sam Blake, whose local branch was Marshalswick as a child, talks about her writing, The Killing Sense and her favourite reads”
I love this photo of the librarians at Marshalswick Library, what a brilliant selfie!! They were just as lovely and as much fun as they look! Fab shot all down to @rosieslibaryreads expertise with the timer (the other red head, standing next to me) Thank you ladies for a really wonderful evening!
Tufnell Park Writers – SoA local group meet-up
Date: March 19th 2025
Time: 7pm
Where: Lord Palmerston, 33 Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HU.
ALL MEMBERS WELCOME
Tufnell Park Writers is a vibrant local group that features guest speakers, themed discussions, social events such as summer picnics, Christmas parties and even the occasional excursion.
Tess Gerritsen and The Summer Guests –
A special event to launch Deadly: the festival of women writing crime
Date: Friday March 28th 2025
Time: 7pm (Doors open at 6pm)
Where: British Library Knowledge Centre Pigott Theatre and online
Booking: https://thebritishlibraryculturalevents.seetickets.com/event/tess-gerritsen-and-the-summer-guests/british-library/3285111
“THE MARTINI CLUB ISN’T OPEN TO EVERYONE . . .”
The British Library’s inaugural Deadly festival starts with a martini-infused bang as we launch into the next best-seller from Tess Gerritsen. The hugely influential and globally celebrated author is talking about her brand-new book The Summer Guests, come and join us to find out why her writing is described as ‘The Thursday Murder Club on steroids’ (SAGA Magazine).
Tess Gerritsen will be in conversation with Sam Blake.
Deadly: the festival of women writing crime
Date: Saturday 29th March 2025
Time: 11:00 – 20:30
Where: British Library Pigott Theatre and online
SOLD OUT in person, but do join us ONLINE!
Presenting the Crème de la Crime…
Deadly is a day-long celebration of the very best in contemporary crime writing by women. This inaugural festival features non-fiction as well as fiction, with brand-new work from celebrated authors as well as lively exploration of themes and perceptions relating to the genre. There will also be ‘opening acts’ from the hottest literary newcomers to the scene, and plenty of criminally good fun…
With a lineup including Ann Cleeves, Hallie Rubenhold, Denise Minna, Kate Summerscale, Kia Abdullah, Nicola Williams, Sam Blake, Saima Mir, Nicola Upson and more – it’s time to investigate before tickets sell out.
Cork World Book Fest
Date: Saturday 26th April 2025
Time: 10am
Where: Cork City Library
Details: https://corkworldbookfest.com/events/get-published-day-first-page-pitch-with-vanessa-fox-oloughlin/
Get Published Day: First Page Pitch with Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin
The ten selected writers read their first page to the agents and the room to receive feedback from the agents. If you’re shy, Sam Blake will read your pitch.
It is incredibly useful to hear pitches and the openings of books and what the agents think of them. Even if your work isn’t selected to be read, it’s also a great opportunity to tune in to perfect your own approach, find out what works and what doesn’t!
Date: Saturday 26th April 2025
Time: 11.30am
Where: Cork City Library
Details: https://corkworldbookfest.com/events/get-published-day-meet-the-agents-vanessa-fox-oloughlin-with-simon-trewin-and-nicky-lovick/
Meet the Agents is back!
Find out in this in-depth conversation what is required in a submission package and how you can increase your chances of success. Find out the most commonly made mistakes and why following guidelines is imperative.
Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin, the founder of Europe’s biggest writing resources website, the award winning writing.ie, the Writers Ink online writing group and Murder One, Ireland’s International Crime Writing Festival.
Under the pseudonym Sam Blake, she is a multiple No 1 bestselling Irish crime writer and has been shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year three times, and twice for Irish Teen and YA Novel of the Year. Her second YA novel, Something’s About to Blow Up was Winner of the International Education Services Teen & YA Novel of the Year 2024. Her latest adult thriller, The Killing Sense, came out in January 2025 and is a No 1 bestseller.
Simon Trewin has been an agent for three decades and has launched the careers of many novelists who have gone on to be published in up to 60 languages and see their work also adapted for stage and screen. Irish writing is a particular passion and he is proud to be the agent for Number 1 bestselling crime writer Sam Blake, International bestselling novelist John Boyne and the current recipient of The Booker Prize for Fiction – Paul Lynch.
Nicky Lovick has decades of experience in publishing, and is now an agent at WGM. Nicky is keen to find book club fiction with a really strong standout hook, momcoms, mom noir, locked room/puzzle book cosy crime, dark academia crime/thriller and hooky proposition thrillers.
Date: Saturday 26th April 2025
Time: 2pm
Where: Cork City Library
Details: https://corkworldbookfest.com/events/get-published-day-getting-into-print-sam-blake-talks-to-amy-jordan/
Get Published Day: Getting into Print. Sam Blake talks to Amy Jordan
Debut novelist Amy Jordan in conversation with Sam Blake on the myriad inspirations that helped create her first novel.
Sam Blake is a pseudonym for Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin, the founder of Europe’s biggest writing resources website, the award winning writing.ie, the Writers Ink online writing group and Murder One, Ireland’s International Crime Writing Festival.
She is a multiple No 1 bestselling Irish crime writer and has been shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year three times, and twice for Irish Teen and YA Novel of the Year. Her second YA novel, Something’s About to Blow Up was Winner of the International Education Services Teen & YA Novel of the Year 2024. Her latest adult thriller, The Killing Sense, came out in January 2025 and is a No 1 bestseller.
Amy Jordan lives with her husband and young children in Cork, Ireland. The Dark Hours is her international debut with HQ Stories, HarperCollins. It was also released in North America and Canada with Mira Books, and reviewed by The New York Times, who said “Jordan…writes Julia with particular fire, bringing us a woman who has chosen invisibility but who cannot escape what once made her visible.”
Soon to be published in Germany with Piper Verlag, The Dark Hours was an instant Irish Times bestseller.
Previously writing as Amy Cronin, she released three crime thrillers with Irish publisher Poolbeg Press. Amy is a former civil servant and tutor at MTU, who now writes full time
The Insiders’ Guide to Publishing for Adults with International Literature Festival Dublin
Date: Saturday 17th May 2025
Time: Full Day event
Where: International Literature Festival, Merrion Square Park ( Speranza), Dublin
Price: €80/€70 (Early Bird available until Fri 18th April))
Featuring leading industry professionals, this full-day seminar has all you need to know about contemporary publishing for adults. Discover what’s hot, what’s not, and how to secure your big break.
Booking & more details: https://ilfdublin.com/whats-on/festival/the-2025-insiders-guide-to-publishing-for-adults/
Whether you are ready to submit, in the middle of your book, or just starting out, this 11th edition of The Insider’s Guide to Publishing is full of invaluable tips and advice to improve your chances of getting published. Featuring top literary agents, leading Irish editors, debut authors, and the mastermind behind Europe’s biggest writing resource website Writing.ie, this seminar is designed to help you break into the literary world.
Go behind the scenes on all aspects of publishing. Genres include Literary Fiction, Crime, Memoir, Women’s Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Romantasy and more.
Refreshments throughout the day and the catered lunch on the grounds of Merrion Square Park are included in the ticket price. Tickets are issued by email, along with the schedule for the day.
Successful applicants to Date With An Agent have their agent dates during Session 2 and 3. Time slots are notified in advance.
Time for Q&A is included into each session.
In partnership with Writing.ie.
Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
Very excited to be heading to Harrogate this year to take part in this amazing panel! What a line up!
The Irish Murderesses have a strong contingent every year and it’s the highlight of the summer for me, do come if you can!
Date: July 18th
Time: 12pm
Where: Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
Read more: https://harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/about-us/brochure-archive/
The world’s longest-running and most prestigious celebration of crime writing, the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is the epicentre of the crime fiction community.
From bestselling authors to emerging voices, the Festival is dedicated to nurturing fresh talent, providing a platform for new writers to shine. It’s where the biggest news in crime fiction breaks, offering readers the chance to get the scoop on new writers before anyone else.
Spike Island Literary Festival
Date: September 6th
Time: 12.30pm- 5pm
Where: Spike Island Literary Festival
Read more: Spike Island Literary Festival
“Close to Home” – Andrea Mara, Michelle Dunne & C.L. Taylor with Sam Blake
Join bestselling crime writers Andrea Mara, Michelle Dunne, and C.L. Taylor for an unmissable conversation exploring the darkness that lurks just beneath the surface of everyday life. From domestic suspense to psychological thrillers, these acclaimed authors delve into the secrets, fears, and tensions that unfold close to home. Chaired by fellow author Sam Blake, this gripping panel will uncover how ordinary settings can become the backdrop for extraordinary crimes—and why the most chilling stories are often the ones that hit closest to home.
Expect thrilling insights and a behind the scenes look at building suspense.
Step inside the walls that once held some of Ireland’s most notorious criminals and immerse yourself in stories that intrigue, unnerve and captivate. Whether you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, gritty detective fiction, or chilling true crime, Spike Island is the ultimate setting for your next plot twist.
Kildare Readers Festival
Debut Voices: Roisín O’Donnell and Brendan MacEvilly in conversation with Sam Blake
Date: Saturday 11th October
Time: 3.30pm
Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge
Booking: Riverbank Arts Centre Tickets
Join us for a conversation between Sam Blake and debut authors Roisín O’Donnell (Nesting) and Brendan McEvilly (Deep Burn). This event presents an exciting opportunity to hear from two rising stars in the literary world as they discuss their debut novels and share their experiences of bringing their stories to life.
Both O’Donnell and MacEvilly will offer a fresh perspective on what it’s like to be a new voice in literature, from the challenges of writing their debuts to the excitement of seeing their work in print.
Crime & Forensics: Fact Meets Fiction
Date: Saturday 11th October
Time: 8pm
Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge
Booking: Riverbank Arts Centre Tickets
Murder One International Crime Writing Festival
Former State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy joins bestselling crime writers Catherine Ryan Howard and Andrea Mara to explore how forensic and criminal investigations are portrayed in fiction – and how closely they reflect real-life cases. A gripping conversation, led by author Sam Blake, where crime writing meets forensic reality!
Featuring some of the most well-known and internationally renowned crime-writing stars, Murder One, Ireland’s International Crime Writing Festival, returns to Dublin from the 17th – 19th October 2025 for its 8th year with a whole host of not to be missed events, readings and masterclasses taking place in Dun Laoghaire’s DLR Lexicon Library & Cultural Centre.
Bookings: www.murderone.ie
THE INSIDER’S GUIDE TO GETTING PUBLISHED
Date: Friday 17th October
Time: 10am
Where: dlr LexIcon, Dun Laoghaire
Booking: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-insiders-guide-to-getting-published-tickets-1542467364409
Dreaming of writing a bestseller? What do you need to do to give your work the best possible chance of getting published? Sam Blake explains the blueprint from keyboard to bookshelf. Sam will discuss exactly what the industry is looking for – what’s hot and what’s not – and how best to submit your work. She will show you what you need to do to attract an agent or publisher, and crucially what not to do. This masterclass will give you concrete ways to improve your pitch, ideas on where to submit and give you a thorough understanding of how the business works in a relaxed and informal atmosphere where you can ask all those tricky questions.
Waterford Writers Weekend
Date: Saturday 25th October
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Where: Waterford Gallery Of Art
Bookings: Email us on waterfordwritersweekend@gmail.com to book your place.
Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin writes crime as Sam Blake, the multiple No 1 bestselling Irish crime writer. She has been shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year three times, and twice for Irish Teen and YA Novel of the Year. Her second YA novel, Something’s About to Blow Up was Winner of the International Education Services Teen & YA Novel of the Year 2024. Her latest adult thriller, The Killing Sense, came out in January 2025 and is a No 1 bestseller. Vanessa is also the founder of Europe’s biggest writing resources website, the award winning writing.ie; the Writers Ink online writing group; and Murder One, Ireland’s International Crime Writing Festival. Having developed a range of initiatives in the writing world, Vanessa is a champion for emerging writers, working with agents and publishers, both in the UK and Ireland, spotting new talent.
Dublin City University
DCU Masters in Creative Writing talk
Tuesday 28th Oct
The MA in Creative Writing provides intensive, practical courses in drama, poetry, screenwriting, and prose fiction. It also offers specialised classes in critical reading and creative practice.
The Write Time Festival
Date: Thursday, 6th November
Time: 7pm
Where: Balbriggan Library
Sam Blake with Gill Perdue
Making a Living as a Writer
Date: Monday, 10th November
Time: 6pm
Where: Blanchardstown Library
Sam Blake, Alan Nolan and Claire Hennessy – moderated by Shane Hegarty