The Bloody Scotland 2025 programme launch
Kicking off Bloody Scotland 2025.
Last Thursday I was honoured to attend the Bloody Scotland 2025 Programme Launch in Stirling. As a shortlisted author for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize, I was invited to come along, meet the other shortlistees and find out what else the festival has in store for crime and thriller fans this September.
We started the morning by having our photos taken on Stirling High Street, along with a group shot of all the authors who were able to make it to the programme launch.
Yes, that's me at the back, standing two rows behind Ian Rankin (guest programmer for the festival this year), Chris Brookmyre and many more leading lights of Scottish crime and thriller fiction.
After that we headed into the Golden Lion Hotel for the official launch, including speeches and a rundown of the festival highlights, followed by a great event with Canadian crime writer Linwood Barclay.
I also had the pleasure of being interviewed by Alex Watson from the Courier for this story about the Debut Prize and Donald Makin from K107 Community Radio in Fife (not sure if that interview is up yet).
It was a really lovely day and I'm so glad I got to meet all of the other Debut Prize finalists. And the programme itself looks like an absolute banger. And I'm not just saying that because I'm on there twice.
My first event will be the Debut Prize Panel on Friday 12th September. Somewhat astonishingly, it's already sold out!
My second event is the 'Spies West, Eyes East' event with Michael Idov and DB John, chaired by Kim Sherwood, on Saturday 13th September at 1pm.
I'm really looking forward to Bloody Scotland this year, although I'm a bit nervous about the Debut Prize. As I said in my post about being selected for it, I have great associations with the event. This will be my third year attending. In the first year, I put the finishing touches to my first draft of A RELUCTANT SPY and sent it to my editor from the Albert Halls Cafe. Last year I read on the main stage, signed books next to Frank Gardner and had the most incredible debut weekend. And this year I'm coming as an award-nominated guest and panelist. It feels pretty incredible.
Check out the programme, and I hope to see you there! I'll be the one (probably) wearing a checked shirt and a dazed expression.