Local crime writer and member of Angus Writers Circle, Chris Longmuir has won the Dundee International Book Prize for her gritty crime novel Dead Wood. Chris who has known since last November that she had won the prestigious award has found it very difficult to contain her excitement and keep it a secret from circle members, who are now absolutely thrilled at her achievement. President of the Circle Jules May said: “This is fantastic news and we are delighted with Chris’s success. ”
Chris’s novel Dead Wood was selected from over a hundred entries to be the winner of Dundee International Book Prize. She will receive a 10,000 cash prize and a publishing contract. It has been Chris’s lifetime ambition to become a published crime author and she a numerous books already written and waiting. Chris said that she is: “ Over the moon. It really has been a long haul and it feels so fantastic to see my book on the shelves of local bookstores.” Chris thoroughly enjoyed the awards ceremony held in the Apex hotel in Dundee on Friday the 26th of June where she was presented her award by journalist and writer Magnus Linklater in front of an audience of industry experts, shortlisted writers and sponsors of the prize.
The winning novel Dead Wood, set in the industrial city of Dundee, begs the question; what happens when the cold, calculating world of gangland retribution collides with the psychosis of a serial killer? Chris’s first novel promises to be a thrilling read and members are eagerly awaiting hearing her read excerpts of the book at our next club night.
Chris Longmuir with her trophy for winning the Dundee International Book Prize
Sounds like a fine book. Will look forward to reading it upon publication. The Dundee International has produced some good stuff. I particularly enjoyed Claire -Marie Watsons, the ‘Curewife’ a few years back.
I always thought Dundee was a nice quiet city, judging by the tales that emerge from you all seems like I got that wrong!
I have posted details of the Dundee International at the Literary Awards UK website. Hopefully it will bring it to the attention of a few more people- too few awards for emerging writers. Why, I wonder, is it called the Dundee International Book Prize when it is so very local?
I think it was just coincidence that the winner was local, they get entries from all over. It has been published but good luck finding a copy, the print run has been largely sold out. Come on publishers, get on with another print run!
Well done to Chris!