The shortlist for this years Short Story Competition has now been announced. We asked you to delve into the dark underbelly of the crime world and the ‘Bad Luck and Trouble’ that can follow.

With the aim of discovering the next big name in crime fiction, the competition gives previously unpublished writers the opportunity to have their work on the Bloody Scotland website where authors, agents, publishers and readers will have the opportunity to see it.

As if that wasn’t enough, the winner will also receive £1,000, a weekend pass to Bloody Scotland 2013 and a bottle of whisky. Two runners up will win a selection of tickets for events at Bloody Scotland 2013.

Shortlisted stories this year are:

• Preacher Man : Ben Borland
• Bad Luck and Trouble : Keith Dumble
• A Different Kind of Freedom : Carol Hunter
• The Jonah : Stuart McLean
• The Best Dish : Mindy Quigley
• Bishop : Keith B Walters

(click on the stories to download)

You can vote now on the competition page. The winner will be announced at the 2013 Bloody Scotland Festival.

Voting closes on Monday 2 September, 2013