The crime fiction convention that describes itself as the UK’s largest, CrimeFest, has announced its shortlists today (April 9) in its 11th annual round of CrimeFest Awards.

And just as a matter of pure speculation, should the shortlisted authors all turn up at the winners’ ceremony on May 11, the evening will be one star-studded event featuring Bill Clinton, James Patterson, Stephen King, Laura Lippman, Jay Qasim, Nicki Thornton, Ian Rankin, and Peter May.

SpecSavers is the sponsor of the convention, which is expected to draw some 500 attendees, among them more than 150 authors, agents, publishers, and crime enthusiasts at Bristol in England’s West Country. Some 60 presentations and panels are planned for the four-day event.  Read the full article here