Bloody Scotland have revealed the line-up which will attract crime writers and fanatics to Stirling for the 13th time this September.
Another instalment in the celebrations of 900 years of the Royal Burgh of Stirling, the International Crime Writing Festival will take place from September 13 – 15.
Yesterday (June 20) Val McDermid hosted the first event of this years’ festival in conversation with Craig Robertson about her new book Queen MacBeth.
Part of the Darkland Tales collection, the novel follows Lady MacBeth around the time she meets her famous husband. It then jumps to when she is on the run with three women “who weren’t witches, they were just women!”.
Naming it “a dizzying weekend of pleasure,” McDermid is a yearly participant and visitor to the festival.
Irvine Welsh and Peter May are among September’s line-up. The Trainspotting novelist will speak about his newest work, Resolution, with Louise Welsh whose new book To The Dogs will explore Glasgow’s criminal underbelly.
May, author of the Lewis Trilogy, will be visiting for the first time since 2014 to talk about the fourth Lewis book, The Black Loch.
Scandi Noir will join the land of Tartan Noir on September 14 as award-winning Icelandic crime writers Lilja Sigurðardóttir and katrín júlíusdóttir take the stage at the Golden Lion.
Other Activities
The Curly Coo on Barnton Street will host Karaoke at the Coo on Saturday 14 from 8:30pm.
The True Crime Walking tour is also back after huge popularity last year. These will be on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15. The ticket includes an hour-long tour, starting at the Castle esplanade, and a dram in a “historic local pub” where the tour ends.
To wet your whistle, the official sponsor of the festival Stirling Distillery have brought back their annual Bloody Scotland cocktail.
Opportunities for Writers
How To Get Published is a new and free (still ticketed) event at Central Library. An experienced panel of industry experts including a commissioning editor, a literary agent and an author will offer advice and answer questions.
Another free event at Central Library, Pitch Perfect, is offering £1000 to the best pitch for a new crime novel in memory of Rae Stewart.
The panel consists of Natasha Harding, publishing director at Bookouture; Camilla Bolton, literary agent; Vicki Young, BBC Deputy Political Editor, and Stewart’s widow.
Crime in the Spotlight will give an opportunity for newly published authors to read their work to an audience at the Albert Halls. Applications for this open on July 1 2024.
Awards Ceremonies
The William McIlvanney and Bloody Scotland Debut Prizes will be awarded at the opening reception at the Golden Lion on Friday 13.
Following the ceremony, the Stirling Schools Pipe Band will lead a procession to the Albert Halls for the first event of the evening.
Festival Director, Bob McDevitt shares his excitement: “In what has been a turbulent year for festivals up and down the country, I’m very much looking forward to what I hope will be an absolutely classic Bloody Scotland weekend, filled with brilliant writers, topical panels, a hilarious quiz and some terrible singing.
“As long as Jason from Friday the 13th doesn’t make an appearance!”
Tickets and discounts
A 10% discount is offered to Stirling Council area residents across all sales channels if shown proof of address.
Free standby tickets will also be available for the unemployed or those on a low income. This can only be given on the day of the event and if it has over ten tickets still available for sale.
Tickets are now for sale here.
The full programme can be accessed here.
Featured image credit: Bloody Scotland