Glencairn seeks the ‘juiciest’ crime fiction
The official whisky glass, the Glencairn Glass, has launched its annual Crime Short Story Competition with submissions closing on 31 March.
The competition is organised in partnership with the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival and invites both experienced and novice writers from around the world to submit an original crime story that is no longer than 2,000 words.
This year’s criteria stipulate that the protagonist must be from Scotland.
The author of the best story will receive £1,000 (US$1,340) and have their story published on the Bloody Scotland website. Additionally, the winner will be invited to make a guest appearance at the Bloody Scotland Festival in September 2026.
The runner-up will be awarded £500 (US$670), and both winning stories will also be published on the Glencairn Glass website.
This year, for the first time, the judging panel includes Kirsty Nicholson, design and marketing manager at Glencairn Crystal, along with six of the UK’s leading crime book influencers: Kevin Woolard, Mary Picken, Noelle Holten, Sharon Bairden, Lynsey Adams, and Suze Clarke-Morris.
Nicholson commented on the competition: “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.
“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.”
Glencairn Crystal and its iconic whisky glass have supported the Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival since 2020.
As part of its sponsorship, the Glencairn Glass has been an avid supporter of both the McIlvanney Prize for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year and the Bloody Scotland Debut Crime Novel of the Year awards.
Since its inception, the competition has attracted hundreds of entries from both established and emerging voices in crime fiction globally.
Bob McDevitt, director of Bloody Scotland’s Festival, said: “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.”
All short story entries must be submitted at www.whiskyglass.com/crime-short-story-competition.
The competition closes at midnight on Tuesday 31 March 2026. The winner and runner-up will be announced in the summer.
Last year, The Glencairn Glass celebrated its 25th anniversary.
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