First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon to take the Stage with Ian Rankin at Bloody Scotland

Bloody Scotland is delighted to reveal that the ‘special guest’ interviewing Ian Rankin on Saturday 21 September will be First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.

A self-confessed crime fiction fan, the First Minister was last seen at the Harrogate Crime Festival singing backing vocals with the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers hot from their appearance at Glastonbury.

We can’t promise any singing but can promise a fascinating conversation between two of the most iconic figures in Scotland. Ian Rankin is the man who led the Tartan Noir charge to the top of international bestseller charts. At the last count he had sold some 30 million books that have been translated into thirty-six languages and have been bestsellers around the world. As a contemporary social commentator – and thrilling storyteller – Ian Rankin has few rivals.

The First Minister said:
 “Ian Rankin is one of Scotland’s most celebrated crime writers, world-renowned for his page-turning thrillers - so it’s a real pleasure for me to interview him at the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival."

“Now in its eighth year, Bloody Scotland is attracting writers and audiences from around the world with its excellent programme - and I look forward to attending this year’s festival.”

Ian Rankin said:
“I’ve probably done hundreds of events during my time as an author but this is a first for me. I’ve no idea what the First Minister will ask or where our conversation will lead. I just know she’s one of the best-read politicians currently gracing the world stage - and she definitely knows her crime fiction!”

Tickets are selling fast. 430 tickets had already been sold for the event prior to this announcement. Capacity for the Albert Halls in Stirling is 700. The event will take place at 8pm. They are in good company, also on the bill at the Albert Halls that day are Dr David Wilson with Lin Anderson, Chris Brookmyre and Michael Robotham, Alexander McCall Smith with Alex Gray, Denise Mina and Louise Welsh and Richard Osman with Mark Billingham which has already sold out.
 

For further information, to request press tickets or an interview with any authors appearing at the Festival please contact fiona@brownleedonald.com07767 431 846 @brownlee_donald @bloodyscotland

McIlvanney Prize Winner 2018

We're pleased to announce the Bloody Scotland McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2018 winner to be Liam McIlvanney's The Quaker!
 

The judges of the McIlvanney Prize this year were Craig Sisterson, Alison Flood, and comedian, Susan Calman who said of the winner:

‘The Quaker was, for me, the stand out book from the longlist. It’s one of those novels that as soon as I finished it, I looked forward to reading it again. Not only did I love the evocative recreation of Glasgow but the characters created were refreshing and surprising.  It was such a pleasure to read.

In 2016 the prize was renamed in memory of Liam's father, William McIIvanney, the much loved Godfather of Tartan Noir.

Our warmest congratulations to Liam.

Michael J Malone – Getting to THE END

Lots of people start writing a novel. Lots of people don’t get very far writing a novel. Lots of people run out of enthusiasm for the idea, and get stuck into something else.  The people that struggle to finish might ask me, how do you maintain the effort required to get to those two little words: The End?

A Suitable Lie will be my seventh published book, it was the second to be written – and I have written a further 3, so experience tells me that when I am stuck – and believe me it happens each and every time - I will manage to get all the way to those two little words.

I compare it to when I go swimming. As a part of my (off and on) fitness regime I swim a mile now and again. The first 20 lengths of the pool are the WORST. I’m all heavy-limbs and aching joints and an internal moan that goes –  "whyareyoudoingthisthisissfeckingawfulstopnow". Then because experience tells me I can go the distance, I get through the energy slump, get into a rhythm and before you know it the last touchdown is looming.

When writing a novel, there is always a slump. I’m a pantser – I’ve set the characters in play, the story is unravelling – and then I hit a wall. It happens with each and every book and the line, “Where the hell am I going to go now?” plays on an endless loop in my head.

How do I get past that? I keep on writing. It often feels like wading through mental treacle but just like my sessions in the pool, experience tells me I am capable of finishing. That experience allows me to trust that my sub-conscious (or as Stephen King calls it – the boys on the boiler room) is working on a solution. I keep at it. I keep showing up at the coal-face and then, one day, it all falls into place like a grand DAH-DAH! (I swear the sun always comes out and the birds set up an orchestral movement right at this very moment.)

If you aren’t in that position yet (and you don’t swim), I will say that if you are serious about writing, try to develop a mindset of persistence. As a famous man once said, success is the constancy of purpose. Get your bum on the chair – your fingers on the keys – and get on a regular programme of writing activity, because that work of art/ piece of crap/ work of genius/ wouldn’t wipe my backside with this nonsense – and yes, that’s how my brain considers each of my novels during the writing process -  isn’t going to write itself.

If like me you are a pantser, and you get to The Slump – or as one of my favourite authors, Lin Anderson calls it, The Muddle in the Middle - trust in your characters, the world you’re creating and your story, keep coming back to them – even if it’s only 250 words at a time - because that’s where you’ll find the answers.

Or just give yourself a break and get a few lengths in.

A Suitable Lie by Michael J Malone is out now published by Orenda Books (£8.99)

Some secrets should never be kept…

Andy Boyd thinks he is the luckiest man alive. Widowed with a young child, after his wife dies in childbirth, he is certain that he will never again experience true love. Then he meets Anna. Feisty, fun and beautiful, she’s his perfect match … and she loves his son like he is her own. When Andy ends up in the hospital on his wedding night, he receives his first clue that Anna is not all that she seems. Desperate for that happy-ever-after, he ignores it. A dangerous mistake that could cost him everything.

Breaking News - from Bloody Scotland William McIlvanney : Memorial Service

William McIlvanney : Memorial Service
3pm Saturday 2 April 2016

A memorial service to celebrate the life and writing of William McIlvanney (1936-2015) will be held at 3pm on Saturday 2 April at Bute Hall, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ.

Tributes will include Allan Massie talking about William’s literary achievements; Val McDermid on his crime writing; Ali Smith remembering him as a creative writing teacher, Francis Bickmore of Canongate describing the republication of his books, and Hugh MacDonald reflecting on William as a journalist. The service will be introduced by William’s longtime friend Ruth Wishart, and there will also be readings by actor David Hayman, contributions from his daughter Siobhan McIlvanney and his brother Hugh McIlvanney, and songs from Sheena Wellington

Everyone is welcome to attend.