Bloody Scotland

I haven't blogged for a while due to deadlines and my involvement with Bloody Scotland, Scotland's first crime writing festival which will take place in Stirling 14th-16th September 2012. The idea came about when Alex Gray, myself and Alanna Knight were at a CWA conference in Lincoln. We realised all crime festivals were in England despite Scotland's huge array of crime writing talent. Scotland has 40 book festivals of all shapes and sizes including the Edinburgh International Book Festival, yet not one to promote this most popular and biggest selling genre and our other cultural export - great crime writing. So Bloody Scotland was born. I love the name coined by Alex. Typically Scottish humour and of course the festival takes place in Stirling, close to the castle where many a bloody Scottish battle was fought. Check out the Bloody Scotland website http://www.bloodyscotland.com/ and follow us on twitter @bloodyscotland
We are running two competitions in our inaugural year, both with great prizes. The digital short story competition sponsored by Glengoyne (whisky being our other cultural export) and Scottish Crime Book of the Year supported by Waterstones. Check out the website for details.
I also intend blogging a series of writing tips I wish people had told me. So if you're planning to enter the short story competition or are just struggling with that story, tune in.