It’s your favourite crime writers as you’ve never seen – or heard – them before. 

For one night only, The Curly Coo on Barnton Street will become home to karaoke kings and queens – and much lesser royals – as they knock out a tune as effortlessly as they’d dispatch a gangland villain. 

In a bit of a change to our usual format, it will be all eyes on the bouncing ball as the bestsellers belt out ballads and bangers. Will there be murder on the dancefloor and smooth criminals? Probably. 

And what’s that? You want to sing too? Well maybe, if you ask us nicely… 

The road to publication can be as twisty as any crime novel and is a daunting prospect for any first-time writer, no matter how good the book they have written. To help you find your way, we have assembled an experienced panel of industry experts who will offer advice and answer your questions. It promises to be invaluable for any aspiring author. 

Our experts are: Sian Heap, commissioning editor at Canelo; Jade Kavanagh, literary agent at Darley Anderson; GJ Williams, author and Bloody Scotland spotlighter. 

Gordon J Brown, author and Bloody Scotland director, will chair the panel. 

Do you have a great crime novel in you, just bursting to get out? Maybe you have a blockbuster of an idea but don’t know where to start getting it into print. This is the event for you. Our iconic Pitch Perfect session has been the opening chapter for several bestselling crime writers and now it’s your chance. All you have to do is stand up before a room of your peers and a panel of publishing experts, and make your pitch.

Supported by Scottish communications agency Spey, who have generously provided a £1000 prize this year in memory of broadcast journalist and crime writer Rae Stewart.

The panel consists of; Natasha Harding, publishing director at Bookouture; Camilla Bolton, literary agent; and Vicki Young, BBC Deputy Political Editor, and Rae’s widow.

The event will be chaired by Jenny Brown. 

Three of our most innovative writers have set their latest novels on the mean and genteel streets of Edinburgh and its leafy surrounds. They have inevitably turned the capital into a freaky Auld Reekie but the results are a big win for readers. 

Emma Christie’s In Her Shadow is a pacy thriller of revenge and betrayal on the streets of Portobello. The outrageous and breathtaking Halfway House is the latest offering from the brilliant but twisted mind of Helen FitzGerald. Living is a Problem for the Skelf family in the superb sixth instalment of Doug Johnstone’s unmissable funeral director series. 

Chaired by Craig Sisterson

Three of our most innovative writers have set their latest novels on the mean and genteel streets of Edinburgh and its leafy surrounds. They have inevitably turned the capital into a freaky Auld Reekie but the results are a big win for readers. 

Emma Christie’s In Her Shadow is a pacy thriller of revenge and betrayal on the streets of Portobello. The outrageous and breathtaking Halfway House is the latest offering from the brilliant but twisted mind of Helen FitzGerald. Living is a Problem for the Skelf family in the superb sixth instalment of Doug Johnstone’s unmissable funeral director series. 

Chaired by Craig Sisterson

Different. That’s what you can expect from two of this genre’s most brilliant and unpredictable minds. Both Chris Brookmyre and Stuart Turton have built extensions on the broad church of crime fiction, taking it in wonderful, unexpected directions. Chris’s incredible new novel The Cracked Mirror amply demonstrates his fondness for shredding the rules of crime writing as the progeny of Agatha Christie and Michael Connelly collide with unforgettable results. Stuart’s hard-earned maverick status is gold-stamped with the genre-bending, description defying The Last Murder at the End of the World, an extraordinary murder mystery that will leave you breathless.

This event will be chaired by author Louise Welsh.
Crime in the Spotlight reading from Rhiannon Barnsley.

Sponsored by the Open University in Scotland 

Different. That’s what you can expect from two of this genre’s most brilliant and unpredictable minds. Both Chris Brookmyre and Stuart Turton have built extensions on the broad church of crime fiction, taking it in wonderful, unexpected directions. Chris’s incredible new novel The Cracked Mirror amply demonstrates his fondness for shredding the rules of crime writing as the progeny of Agatha Christie and Michael Connelly collide with unforgettable results. Stuart’s hard-earned maverick status is gold-stamped with the genre-bending, description defying The Last Murder at the End of the World, an extraordinary murder mystery that will leave you breathless.

This event will be chaired by author Louise Welsh.
Crime in the Spotlight reading from Rhiannon Barnsley.

Sponsored by the Open University in Scotland 

Two of Tartan Noir’s finest police detectives team up for what will be a fascinating insight into the workings of razor-sharp criminal minds. One is a legend of the force (and fiction) and the other is a hugely popular relative newcomer who’s rising rapidly through the ranks. 

Quintin is the creator of Bob Skinner who has enthralled an army of readers from his first appearance in 1993 to today’s twisty thriller The Cage. Neil’s dashing Highland protagonist DS Max Craigie is in his fifth outing, as the siren-screaming The Devil You Know races from first page to last. 

This event will be chaired by author Caro Ramsay. 

Your late-night entertainment comes courtesy of two of the sharpest minds in the crime writing business. Writing top-notch novels is the easy bit (kidding!) but these two are also immensely entertaining panellists who will take you into the heart of Saturday night. 

Stand-up comic. Actor. Member of the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers. Author of multiple number one novels. Mark has done it all. His new Dec Miller book is the superb The Wrong Hands. Erin’s inventive mind has created number one bestsellers and led to major TV adaptions of her work. Her new novel, The House of Mirrors, is a dazzling gothic mystery. 

Chaired by the podcaster Marco Rinaldi.
Crime in the Spotlight reading from Susan Allott.

If you’re holding out for a hero then look no further than two double-fisted, high-octane thriller stars who pack a big punch – and their characters aren’t too shy either. 

Andrew Child has moved into the family business to take up writing duties with big brother Lee on the legendary 100-million selling Jack Reacher series. The latest is the fast and furious The Secret. Tony Kent is a criminal barrister by day and thriller writer extraordinaire by night. The latest in his brilliant Dempsey and Devlin series is The Shadow Network, in which the duo hunt down a fearsome foreign agent. 

Author Gordon J Brown will chair this event.