A CUMNOCK born author has been longlisted for a prestigious international award following the release of her debut novel last year.

Emma Christie published the psychological thriller The Silent Daughter in September 2020 and she was recently given the great news that she has been longlisted for the The Crime Writers’ Association new blood Dagger Award 2021.

The former Greenmill Primary and Cumnock Academy pupil used to be a newspaper reporter with the Press and Journal in Aberdeen but started her journalism career at the Chronicle when she was at school.

She is now based in Barcelona and writes psychological thrillers with a strong emotional undercurrent, exploring issues that fascinate her and how people react to challenging situations in life.

After being longlisted for the award Emma said: “I’ve had such brilliant support from the people of Ayrshire and I am delighted that my longlisting for this prize will put Cumnock on the international crime writers’ map.

“Many of the other writers in the running for the prize are international bestsellers and award-winners so I feel totally honoured to see The Silent Daughter on the same list.

“It’s a brilliant boost for my confidence and I’m really, really chuffed to have got this far.

“The shortlist is revealed sometime in May so I’d ask everyone to keep their fingers crossed until then.”

Emma’s second novel, Find Her First, will be released in December 2021 and is already available for pre-order online.