It’s been a busy month for me, with another book launch and receiving perhaps the most exciting news in my crime-writing journey to date.
My charity book was launched earlier this month, which contains a crime novella set at Firhill Stadium in Glasgow, home to Partick Thistle Football Club. I wrote the novella a couple of years back, and only now got round to doing a formal release. Funds from the sale of the book will be donated to Jags for Good, an independent fans group supporting social justice and good causes in the local community. The book also contains 4 short stories, including the previously unpublished ‘Parting Ways’.
It’s been encouraging seeing the book sell in the early weeks, and hopefully with the start of season coming quickly off the back of the World Cup, I’ll be able to shift some more copies in support of this great cause. I always get excited around the launch of a book, and the anticipation of the feedback readers give me, but little prepared me for what would happen shortly afterwards.
The Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing festival takes place in Stirling every September, and has grown year on year since its inception back in 2012. Founded by Scottish Crime Writers, Alex Gray and Lin Anderson, it has always been an ambition of mine to get connected in some way to it. Taking my writing more seriously in recent times, I decided to enter the annual short story competition for the first time. Sponsored by Glencairn Whisky Glasses, I sent off my story ‘Life Wasted’, more for the experience rather than in expectation.
I was contacted by Glencairn to confirm that I had won the runner up prize, but was sworn to secrecy until the formal announcement was made. To say I was overblown is an understatement and I don’t think I will forget that moment for a long time. To be recognised by judges made up of crime book bloggers, writers and aficionados made the award that more special.
I’ll be heading to Stirling in September to hopefully meet and get to know more like-minded people and having this award to celebrate will make the time that little bit more magical.
Thanks again for reading my blog. You can find out more and purchase the charity book but clicking on the ‘Going To Firhill Is Murder’ page of this website. You can also read ‘Life Wasted’ by clicking on the Bloody Scotland logo above or in the ‘Books’ page of this website. This will take you to the formal announcement, with the story being downloadable at the bottom of the article.
Ross Alexander Writer 