The Global Discussion - Simon Bewick: Bay Tales, Publishing, and Crime Fiction

In this episode, Simon Bewick joins The Global Discussion. Simon is a Co-founder and driving force behind Bay Tales. This annual event supports authors and publishers through a comprehensive suite of online, in-person activities and festivals. As a Co-founder and Marketing Director, Simon delivers on many aspects of branding, planning, and execution. He also works closely with many of the world's leading publishers.

Bay Tales is an annual crime fiction writer's festival that has quickly become a highlight of the literary calendar. The annual event promises to be bigger and better each year. The festival is already working on special fringe events and additions for the next event.

The festival's Patron is Ann Cleeves, OBE. Ann is a British mystery crime writer. She wrote the Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez, and Matthew Venn series, all of which have become TV shows. She was awarded the Duncan Lawrie Dagger for her novel Raven Black. Cleeves received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Sunderland in 2014. In 2015, she served as the Programming Chair for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival and Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award.

That same year, Ann became shortlisted for the Dagger in the Library UK Crime Writers' Association award, which recognizes an author's body of work in British libraries. Cleeves was chosen as the recipient of the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers' Association in 2017 in recognition of her sustained excellence in crime fiction.

The Bay Tales festival includes fringe events such as Noir at the Bar Bay event, an evening of fun, and a special event at Whitley Bay Library. These events are free for Day Ticket holders, but places are limited due to venue size and on a first-come-first-served basis.

Simon Bewick's experience and passion for crime fiction, publishing and marketing shine through in this episode. His journey is a masterclass in adaptability, innovation, and leadership, and his insights are invaluable for anyone navigating the ever-evolving landscape of these sectors.

Simon's career is a rich tapestry of roles and responsibilities, each contributing to his comprehensive understanding of the publishing industry. His journey began at Oxford University Press, where he spent over 25 years honing his skills and saw him becoming the Head of Digital Marketing.

Bay Tales, now firmly established on the calendar, is more than a festival; it's a community for authors, publishers, and readers. The event hosts various online and physical events, including the popular Bay Tales Live, a celebration of storytelling and literature.

Bay Tales was founded initially as a response to the lockdown. Simon and Co-founder Vic Watson transformed the long-running Noir at the Bar into an online show. Today, Bay Tales supports publishers in their promotional activity and offers services for a wide range of authors and publishers.

In addition, Simon is engaged as the Marketing Manager at McGraw Hill, which sees him at the helm of the marketing operations of a leading education company. McGraw Hill's mission to unlock the potential of each learner aligns perfectly with Simon's passion for education and his expertise in marketing, publishing and digital strategies.

About The Global Discussion:

The podcast features carefully curated guests from an exciting cross-section of creatives, leaders, and thinkers. New episodes are available on Apple, Google, and Spotify podcasts and several leading podcast platforms. You can listen to and watch the episodes on our dedicated YouTube channel and the website.

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