CrimeFest has named DG Coutinho as the recipient of its 2025 bursary aimed at supporting crime-fiction writers of color. This initiative highlights the festival’s commitment to diversity within the literary community.

Bursary Benefits

The bursary provides several valuable benefits:

• A full Weekend Pass to the convention.
• One night’s accommodation at the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel.
• An opportunity to participate in a panel discussion during the final CrimeFest event.

Final CrimeFest in Bristol

This year will mark the conclusion of CrimeFest’s 16-year tenure in Bristol. The event promises to feature an impressive lineup of renowned authors, including:

• Lee and Andrew Child
• Simon Brett
• Lindsey Davis
• Martin Edwards

Coutinho’s Acclaimed Work

Coutinho is celebrated for winning the Bloody Scotland Harvill Secker Crime Writing Competition, which recognizes under-represented voices in crime fiction. Her debut novel, The Light and Shade of Ellen Swithin, published by Harvill Secker, delves into the themes of toxic work environments through a darkly comedic lens.

Character Insights

Describing her protagonist Ellen Swithin, Coutinho shares, “Readers meeting Ellen learn she’s a total nerd who loves live music and tech. She’s just trying to bag a promotion, pay for her wedding, and navigate life as a Black woman in a white male-dominated profession. She’s ambitious, smart, and a bit of an outsider.”