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By Alex Stone

If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be swapping spreadsheets for storylines, I’m not sure I’d have believed you. But here I am, a best-selling psychological thriller author, founder of Author Events, and now festival director for Coastal Crime, a brand-new crime fiction festival coming to Southampton in September 2026.

It’s been quite a journey.

From Accountant to Author

I started my career as an accountant. It was secure, structured, and, if I’m honest, a little too safe. Deep down, I’d always loved stories, the way a great book could transport you somewhere completely different. When the opportunity came to take a career break, I decided to follow a long-held dream: to write a novel.

That decision changed everything.

After moving to Dorset, I poured myself into writing, and that first book led to a publishing deal, and then a second. My latest, The Missing Boyfriend, is set in Christchurch and I’m hosting a party to celebrate its release. Join me at the Kings Arms Hotel, Christchurch on Thursday 20^th November from 6:30pm.

Building a Community for Writers

Writing can be a lonely path. During a particularly challenging time, juggling deadlines and personal family health issues, I felt isolated and creatively blocked. So I decided to do something about it. I organised a small coffee morning for local authors. Six of us turned up that first time. The energy in that room was incredible, and we decided to do it again the following month.

Twenty-five people came.

From that simple gathering, Author Events was born. What began as a coffee morning has grown into a thriving community, a network of support, collaboration, and opportunity for writers at every stage of their careers. It’s been amazing to watch it grow and evolve.

What’s Next: The Coastal Crime Festival

The next chapter in this journey is Coastal Crime, a one-day festival dedicated to crime fiction, taking place on Saturday 26th September 2026 in Southampton.

This festival is my passion project. It brings together some of the biggest names in crime fiction alongside exciting emerging authors, all under one roof. Our main hall will host panels, interviews, and signings, a celebration for readers, crime fans, and writers alike.

In our Industry Hub, we’ll be running sessions led by publishing professionals, offering guidance and insights across genres. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a seasoned author, or an industry professional, there’s a space for you here to learn, connect, and be inspired.

If you’d like to get involved as a speaker, exhibitor, or volunteer, you can find all the details at coastalcrime.org

A Growing Calendar of Events

Alongside the festival, I’m thrilled to be partnering with the Royal Bath Hotel to launch two new initiatives:

· Book Club & Bubbles – every second Monday of the month, starting 10th November (bubbles optional).

· An Author’s Perspective – a series of writer workshops and coffee mornings held on the last Saturday of each month, beginning 29th November.

· And that’s not all. Our much-loved coffee mornings, which began in Dorset, are now expanding across the UK through our new AuthorConnect programme. We’ve partnered with the Lounges group, who run venues such as Arcado Lounge and Ludo Lounge, to host regular coffee mornings for writers in towns and cities nationwide.

If you’re an Author Events member and would like to host one in your local Lounge, you can volunteer to lead a session. We’ll handle all the admin and setup — you just choose your preferred Lounge, suggest a few dates and times, and we’ll do the rest. Contact us

It’s a wonderful way to build and strengthen writing communities right across the country, just as we’ve done here in Dorset.

Bringing It All Together

Looking back, every step of this journey, from leaving my job to writing that first book and creating Author Events, has led me here. To a place where I can help other writers find their voice, build connections, and take the next step on their own writing paths.

Being a festival director is both daunting and exhilarating, but I know how it feels to be unpublished, uncertain, and full of questions. That’s why Coastal Crime isn’t just a festival. It’s a place to find answers, make connections, and spark new ideas.

Our Crowdfunder is live now, and every share or contribution helps make this festival more accessible, inclusive, and impactful for everyone.

You can find out more or get involved at coastalcrime.org

Sometimes, all it takes is one brave step off the beaten path, and that first coffee morning…