Frances Crawford has made history at this year’s Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival, becoming the first author to win both the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize and the prestigious McIlvanney Prize in the same year.
Crawford was recognised for her debut novel A Bad, Bad Place, published by Transworld. The achievement comes just two months after she won the McDermid Debut Prize at Harrogate, marking an exceptional year for the author.
The awards were presented during the Bloody Scotland festival in Stirling, held from 18 to 20 September, with Crawford receiving a giant Glencairn Glass trophy to mark her double victory.
The world’s official whisky glass, Glencairn Glass, has sponsored the Bloody Scotland literary prizes for the past seven years. This year’s festival was notable for several firsts. The Bloody Scotland Debut Prize shortlist was made up entirely of women, while four of those authors also appeared on the McIlvanney Prize longlist.
Crawford’s success also brings her journey with Glencairn full circle. In 2023, she won the Glencairn Glass Crime Short Story Competition, with the winning story later becoming the foundation for A Bad, Bad Place.
Crawford began writing later in life and went on to receive a scholarship to study Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow. She credits tutor Louise Welsh with encouraging her to develop her award-winning short story into a novel. Crawford graduated at the age of 60 with an MLitt with Distinction.
Published in February 2026, A Bad, Bad Place has received widespread acclaim and is due to be released in paperback on 31 December 2026.
Kirsty Nicholson, Marketing Director at Glencairn, said Crawford’s achievement was a remarkable moment for Bloody Scotland and highlighted the connection between her 2023 short story success and this year’s literary prizes.
The Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival has taken place annually in Stirling since 2012, bringing together established and emerging crime writers alongside readers for events covering everything from forensic fiction and psychological thrillers to tartan noir and cosy crime.
For more information, visit Bloody Scotland and Glencairn Glass.
