Alumni

Congratulations to University of Glasgow alumna Frances Crawford (MLitt 2022), whose debut novel, A Bad, Bad Place, has achieved another remarkable milestone with a record-breaking double win at this year's Bloody Scotland Awards! 

Frances secured both the Debut Prize and the prestigious McIlvanney Prize, making it an unforgettable moment for the emerging writer and further celebrating the success of her first novel.

Presented during the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival in Stirling, the McIlvanney Prize is awarded to the Scottish Crime Book of the Year, while the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize celebrates the best new crime writing talent. Frances' success in securing both prizes marks an exceptional achievement and an unprecedented moment for the Bloody Scotland Awards.

A graduate of the University's MLitt in Creative Writing programme, Frances has previously spoken about the important role her studies played in her journey to publication. Her latest achievements continue an extraordinary year of recognition for her debut work.

Reflecting on the awards, Frances said:

"Winning both the Debut and McIlvanney Awards was beyond my wildest dreams, and I'm incredibly proud. The novel would not exist without the encouragement of my MLitt tutor Louise Welsh, and because I'd been part of an online class during lockdown, we'd never met in person. After the ceremony, I finally had the chance to thank Louise for changing my life. It was the perfect end to a perfect day."

We are delighted to see Frances' continued success and send our warmest congratulations on this exceptional achievement.

Frances Crawford and Denise Mina at the  2026 Bloody Scotland Awards. Photo credit: ©Paul Reich

First published: 13 October 2026