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Bloody Scotland : Launch The Glengoyne Short Story Writing Competition - 8th March, 2012

Thursday March 8, Glasgow: Like its whisky, Scotland is world-renowned for the exceptional quality of its crime fiction. 

To celebrate and recognise this synergy, Glengoyne Highland Single Malt is proud to announce the launch of a new short story writing competition as part of Scotland’s inaugural international crime writing festival, Bloody Scotland (14-16 September 2012) in Stirling.

With the aim of discovering the next big name in crime fiction the Glengoyne Short Story Writing Competition opens for entries today (Thursday 8 March), giving amateur writers the opportunity to be read and reviewed by some of the most respected authors, publishers and editors in the crime literary world. The prestigious prize will include digital publication by Blasted Heath as the lead short story in an ebook collection of the best competition entries. The winner will also benefit from a week-long residential writing course run by Arvon at a location of their choice. 

The overall winner will receive a bespoke hand-engraved Glencairn Crystal Decanter filled with an exceptionally rare 35 Years Old Glengoyne Highland Single Malt, worth over £2,000, presented at the closing award ceremony at the Bloody Scotland Festival in September.

To enter, writers need to submit a maximum 3000 word short story online via bloodyscotland.com by 29 June 2012.  All entries need to, on some level, incorporate the theme or wording: ‘worth the wait.’

Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Glengoyne, explained: “Crafting a great crime novel takes time, care and attention to detail, but the results are worth the wait. The same attributes are crucial in making Glengoyne Whisky’s natural, unpeated taste and flavour.  Scottish crime fiction is an international success story and we are delighted to be part of a competition that celebrates our country’s unique creative contribution." 

Crime author and Bloody Scotland event organiser, Gordon Brown, commented: “With UK retail sales for crime fiction now worth over £143 million, the genre has never been more popular. We are thrilled to have Glengoyne’s support for the short story writing competition. Bloody Scotland celebrates not only our nation’s crime fiction legacy, but the success of crime writing across the globe. Glengoyne’s sponsorship reaffirms the Scottish roots of the festival, but like the whisky, an exciting crime thriller can be enjoyed with a great quality dram anywhere in the world”.

Taking place 14-16 September 2012 in Stirling, Bloody Scotland will have over 20 events and host over 40 UK and international authors, including Scotland’s own Ian Rankin and Val McDermid. Named by VisitScotland as the Year of Creative, 2012 is a landmark date for Scottish crime fiction. Bloody Scotland will also celebrate the 125th anniversary of the publication of the first Sherlock Holmes story, the 35th anniversary of William McIlvanney’s ‘Laidlaw’, the father of ‘Tartan noir’ – and the 25th  anniversary of the first Rebus novel by Ian Rankin.

A crime scene from her latest novel, A Pound of Flesh, Alex Gray launched the Glengoyne Short Story Writing Competition in Glasgow’s Blythswood Square. Alex is the brains behind the Bloody Scotland Festival, along with her good friend and partner in crime Lin Anderson. They are also the main organisers along with Jenny Brown (their literary agent), Gordon Brown and Clio Gray, and they are supported by fellow authors who have given their invaluable assistance to help organise the event. Alex Gray says:

“With over 40 literature festivals taking place in Scotland each year, not one has ever exclusively recognised the remarkable talent amongst Scottish crime writers. Bloody Scotland will showcase all that is great in Scottish crime literature and indeed the fabulous authors who continue to excite, thrill and entertain us." 

The Glengoyne Short Story Writing Competition is open to all amateur writers over 18 years old. Entries must be uploaded to www.bloodyscotland.com before the closing date of 29 June 2012.  

For further information on Glengoyne Highland Single Malt and for exclusive expert tips on successful crime writing visit: www.glengoyne.com. 

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