CHILD OF OCTOBER Russia 1917. Tatya’s only crime was that she was the daughter of former prince Trubetskoy. The family’s beloved estate, Damokov, lies in ruins, but it still holds secrets as dangerous as any revolution. Can Tatya find love and reunite a family torn apart? #scotwriterpitch2025

The Secret History set in 1920s Edinburgh, PURSUIT OF LIES follows three university students in a race with the Americans to prove they have invented the world’s first lie detector. All they need is a murderer, but in their quest to detect lies, they lose sight of the truth. #scotwriterpitch2025

THE STORYTELLER Russia 1714. Haunted by accusations of witchcraft in her native Scotland, Isabella Hamilton assumes the identity of a Scottish storyteller. To find her missing brothers she must continue their secret quest to recover the Hamilton Rose, a priceless family jewel. #scotwriterpitch2025

OUR FLOTTIE North Berwick, 1590. A foundling finds herself at the centre of a power struggle between faith in God, the king, and the devil. When a small fishing village becomes the focus of a witch hunt, nobody is above suspicion – nobody apart from the foundling, Our Flottie. #scotwriterpitch2025

THE DEBATABLE LANDS 1586. In a lawless territory between Scotland and England, where men are free to rob, burn, and slay with impunity, mapmaker Robert Rutherfurd becomes an unlikely seeker of justice when the body of the king’s favourite is found stabbed to death on Tarras Moss #scotwriterpitch2025

So chuffed to have made the shortlist for this amazing and generous prize! 🎉🎉🎉

Introducing The Killer Twist Pitch Prize for Unagented Crime Writers! Top Prize: 4-Day Pass #TheakstonsCrime + 3-night hotel stay in #Harrogate, Pitch Revision & Coaching. (a $1250 value) 2nd Place: @JerichoWriters Agent 1-on-1! T&Cs apply, See www.alessandraranelli.com/prize for details.🧵1/4