Scotland to host Bloody crime writing festival

19.09.11 | Charlotte Williams - The Bookseller

Scotland is to hold its first crime writing festival next year, supported by Stirling Council, Creative Scotland and the University of Stirling, and working closely with Stirling's general literary festival, Off the Page.

The inaugural Bloody Scotland festival, the brainchild of crime writers Lin Anderson and Alex Gray, will take place from 14th to 16th September 2012, with the full programme to be announced in late spring next year. On 14th September next year, the University of Stirling will host masterclasses, workshops and a publishers and agents forum.
Head of the school of arts and humanities Douglas Brodie said: "Stirling has a thriving centre for publishing studies, and we've just launched a postgraduate creative writing programme. We're delighted to help aspiring crime writers at the festival develop their talent, technique and professional savvy."
Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin called the festival "a long overdue celebration of Scotland's favourite genre, one of its most successful cultural exports—and a chance to hear some of the most interesting international writers too".
Emma Turnbull, development officer at Creative Scotland, said: "Bloody Scotland will be a welcome addition to the host of vibrant and diverse literature festivals we support across Scotland."