Floating a little on cloud nine -- somehow The Bookseller and Journalist Katie Allen when reporting on the CrimeFest Dagger Shortlists added my name to this prestigious line up of literary talent ... I swear I didn't promise her beer for life or Thorntons every Thursday.

Think it must have something to do with my last name beginning with a 'B'

Click here and check out the first paragraph of this article. I'm seriously honoured.

Debut Dagger Shortlist 2012

We interrupt these proceedings...

I received a letter in the post today - didn't recognise the sender's address.

It wasn't my credit card company changing my APR again.
It wasn't the Save our Snails from endangerment charity.
It was from the Crime Writers' Association.
Well, I had entered the Debut Dagger competition months ago with my first 3000 words from my new crime book Death by Glasgow. So I figured they were writing to tell me I hadn't made the list.
I couldn't find my reading glasses so my wife had to read out the letter.

I did make the shortlist.

Holy shit was all I could say to my wife. I am so thrilled.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the CWA, Peter James and the judges who put me on the shortlist.

Here's a link to the list. Some amazing other writers here too - good luck to everyone.
(It will open up a new page for you): Debut Dagger Awards Shortlist.
I'll be on cloud nine for a while.