The Glencairn Glass has opened entries for its 2025 crime short story competition in partnership with the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival. The competition, which launched today (14 January), requires submissions to feature a Scottish protagonist and closes on 31 March 2026.
Writers worldwide can submit original crime stories under 2,000 words for the chance to win £1,000 and publication on the Bloody Scotland website.
The winner will also receive a guest appearance at the Bloody Scotland Festival in September 2026.
The runner-up will be awarded £500, with both winning stories published on the Glencairn Glass website.
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“We’re thrilled to launch the fourth year of our short story competition with our official whisky glass, the Glencairn Glass, as we continue to support and celebrate the world of crime fiction,” said Kirsty Nicholson, Design and Marketing Manager at Glencairn Crystal.
Past winners have achieved significant publishing success following their competition victories.
Allan Gaw, who placed second in 2022/23, won the 2024 Bloody Scotland Debut Novel Prize and secured a four-book deal with Polygon.
Frances Crawford, the 2022/23 winner, signed a two-book publishing contract with Penguin, with her debut novel launching in 2026.
Inaugural winner Brid Cummings signed with a UK literary agency after completing her first psychological suspense novel, subsequently published by Audible.
The 2025 judging panel includes six leading UK crime book influencers alongside Nicholson.
“Each year the calibre and creativity of the entries exceed our expectations, and we’re excited to discover the new voices and gripping stories that this year’s competition will bring,” Nicholson added.
Glencairn Crystal, the Scottish family glassware business behind the Glencairn Glass, has sponsored Bloody Scotland’s McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year and the Debut Crime Novel of the Year awards since 2020.
“We are excited to read a new crop of stories, and hope that the competition provides a stepping stone in developing the careers of some talented new voices,” said Bob McDevitt, Bloody Scotland’s Festival Director.
Entries must be submitted at www.whiskyglass.com/crime-short-story-competition before midnight on 31 March 2026.
