Bloody Scotland Festival reveals 2020 Virtual Programme
Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival reveals its 2020 programme today - an entirely on-line festival over the same weekend it should have been taking place in Stirling.
Article Source: Brownlee Donald Associates
Last Updated: 24 August 2020 13:18
BLOODY SCOTLAND INTERNATIONAL CRIME WRITING FESTIVAL REVEALS 2020 VIRTUAL PROGRAMME
17-20 SEPTEMBER 2020
'What began with disappointment and seemingly endless challenges has turned into a genuine opportunity to try something a bit different this year. I'm particularly pleased with the diverse range of voices appearing on the panels from all over the world. The festival has a truly epic scale from our biggest ever panel featuring no less than 27 authors to a session that will bring five continents online together, and there will be more spotlights for debut and emerging writers than ever before. We all know the festival won't feel quite the same this year (has anything?) but we have all the makings of a classic Bloody Scotland year nonetheless!'
Director, Bob McDevitt
Bloody Scotland reveals its 2020 programme today - an entirely on-line festival over the same weekend it should have been taking place in Stirling.
Highlights include two Criminal Masterminds panels featuring Val McDermid in conversation with Lee Child and Ian Rankin in conversation with Lawrence Block plus events with Tess Gerritsen; Mark Billingham; John Connolly; Linwood Barclay; Jo Nesbo; Jeffery Deaver; Ann Cleeves; Peter May; Professor Sue Black; Steve Cavanagh; Simon Mayo; Attica Locke; Helen Fitzgerald; Chris Brookmyre; Denise Mina; Deon Meyer; Sheena Kamal and Oyinkan Braithwaite. On the opening night, an event with all of the crime writers on the Bloody Scotland board – Craig Robertson, Lin Anderson, Abir Mukherjee and Gordon Brown - will give everyone the Bloody Scotland welcome they would normally have in Stirling.
Bloody Scotland has always been praised for going beyond the usual remit of a literary festival and there is a determination to keep that fringe feel with a film of the play, You The Jury, which sold out last year, a virtual cabaret at The Curly Coo and a criminal spin on Desert Island Discs – Desert Island Crooks. There is also a desire to push boundaries with contributors from all over the world in Five Continents of Crime and a new digital challenge for this year – The Never-Ending panel – which will feature 27 Scottish writers from all over the world.
Mairi Kidd from Creative Scotland said:
‘Covid-19 presents a huge challenge for book festivals but the team at Bloody Scotland clearly feel it would be criminal to let readers and writers down now, when community matters more than ever. They have cooked up an inspiring digital programme with something for everyone. The events are sure to be a must-watch for crime fans everywhere, and the accessible digital format offers new readers the chance to discover the world of crime writing in all its gory glory.’
Tickets will be completely free and the digital format will extend the festival to crime fiction fans who wouldn’t normally be able to travel to Stirling but who we hope will return next year to help us celebrate our 10th Anniversary in person.
Convenor of Stirling Council’s Community Planning and Regeneration Committee, Cllr Chris Kane, said:
‘Bloody Scotland has grown into one of Stirling’s most loved events. It has become a key fixture in our ever-growing events calendar and we are already looking forward to welcoming the festival back to Stirling in 2021 to celebrate its tenth anniversary. For now, it is great news that the show is still going on in digital form, providing a showcase for some of our best loved and brand-new writers. In this year like no other, the importance of books to entertain, educate and inspire us has never been greater, and I have no doubt that this year’s online programme will offer huge rewards and enjoyment for readers and writers alike.’
In addition to the Debut Prize which was new last year, Bloody Scotland remains committed to encouraging new writers who have been affected by bookshops being closed. This year there won’t be individual debut panels but the authors selected by Alex Gray have automatically earned places ‘In the Spotlight’ appearing on the virtual stage ahead of the headline acts. New names to look out for, recommended by Alex, include Dugald Bruce Lockhart (The Lizard, Muswell Press); Sam Lloyd (The Memory Wood, Bantam Press), Russ Thomas (Firewatching, S&S) and A J Parks (The First Lie, Orion). The winners of the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize and The McIlvanney Prize will be announced on Friday 18 September.
Website: https://bloodyscotland.com/bloody-scotland-2020/
Sponsored Links
Latest Stirling News
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns for a delicious double helping
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MORE
Nationwide campaign encourages adults in Scotland to take the plunge
With a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.
READ MORE
Stirling Highland Games and Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum joined forces to mark significant milestone
Stirling Highland Games and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Forge Historic Partnership to Commemorate Stirling's 900th Anniversary.
READ MORE
Cornton Street Party Celebration to mark Changing Seasons
Stirling’s Remembering Together project is set to host a celebration of community, creativity and the changing seasons on Thursday 2nd May in the heart of Cornton.
READ MORE
Top tips for visiting the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
Now in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MORE
Lights, camera, action, Delight as Stirling Studios announced
Stirling Council is thrilled to announce the creation of Stirling Studios, which will be among the biggest film studio campuses in Scotland.
READ MORE
Family Fun as BRICKLIVE Ocean arrives in Stirling
Families have been following a fascinating trail featuring life-size brick models of sea creatures around Stirling at the BRICKLIVE Ocean tour which runs until Sunday April 21st.
READ MORE
New Finds at Culloden Battlefield shed more light on intensity of battle
Latest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MORE
Kevin McKenzie Named Honorary Chieftain of the 2024 Stirling Highland Game
The Stirling Highland Games Committee is thrilled to announce that former Scotland International hooker Kevin McKenzie has been appointed as the Honorary Chieftain for the 2024 Games.
READ MORE
Teenager up for Song of the Year at The John Lennon Songwriter Contest
17 year old Brodie Brown from Stirling goes head-to-head for ‘Song of the Year’ at The John Lennon Songwriter Awards despite life-long physical and mental health battles.
READ MORE
Scottish Game Fair returns for its 35th year
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres unveils Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience
Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MORE
POSTPONED: Springfest at Loch Lomond Shores
This year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MORE
Historic sites across Scotland get ready to reopen their doors
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MORE
Diabetes Scotland will host a virtual event for young people 11 to 25 living with type 1 diabetes
Join Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORE
Iconic Noughties stars make cheeky comeback to launch limited edition IRN BRU flavours
Noughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MORE
Enjoy an Eggcellent Easter Break with Macdonald Hotels
Macdonald Hotels, one of the UK’s most popular independent hotel groups, invites you to join them for an Easter break to remember.
READ MORE
Clydesdale Horses Gather to celebrate Kelpies Sculptures Effect a decade on
A mass gathering of heavy horses assembled at the home of Scotland’s iconic Kelpies structures today (Tuesday, March 26) in celebration of the forthcoming 10th anniversary.
READ MORE
Free activities this Easter at Dobbies
Dobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MORE
Deadline looms for 30th Scottish Thistle Awards public nominations
The search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MORE
Springfest is back this April... with all things foodie as well as a host of entertainment and things to do!
This year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MORE
Fun family favourites leap into action on the big screen this Easter break at Vue
A host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MORE
Winners revealed at Go Forth Stirling 2024 Business Awards
A range of Stirling’s outstanding independent business owners were rewarded with trophies last night at the city’s annual Business Awards.
READ MORE
A taste of what is to come at Paisley Food and Drink Festival
Spring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MORE
National Theatre of Scotland announce full cast and creative team for Maggie & Me
Full cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MORE
Dobbies invites nominations for national community initiative
Dobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MORE
Scottish stovies and strange sheep are announced as the winning entries for The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
A sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MORE
Easter fun for every bunny with the National Trust For Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland is going hopping mad for Easter and hosting a bumper 35 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care this spring.
READ MORE
Business Community Gears Up for Annual BID Awards
Stirling’s business community is getting ready to celebrate at the city’s annual awards for independent traders.
READ MORE
Work to excavate Pictish Stone near Doune to get underway
Excavation work on a Pictish stone of potential ‘international significance’, discovered buried in a cemetery near Doune, will begin within the next fortnight.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links