I've just returned from a wonderful UK mini-tour for A Superior Spectre, which is now released there by Saraband. My first reviews, in the Daily Mail and The Herald Scotland (both linked here), have been positive, thankfully, and I'm still processing all the events, and the people I met and hung out with along the way. The Edinburgh International … Continue reading Readings Prize shortlist and A Superior Spectre out now in the UK
Scotland
My debut novel, A Superior Spectre, acquired by Peter Bishop Books
I'm excited, delighted, nervous... It's been quite a journey to get to this point. If you've been reading this blog for the last 10 years – well, you've been along for much of the ride (thank you). I hope you'll enjoy it when it comes out in 2018 (I believe around August). Here's the official … Continue reading My debut novel, A Superior Spectre, acquired by Peter Bishop Books
Vertigo
Yesterday I climbed the mountain Beinn Eighe, and it was breathtaking. I get a bit of vertigo; when there's a drop by the path I have to lean away from it and not look down or else my legs crumble and my head spins. As I laid in bed last night, my muscles humming with … Continue reading Vertigo
Travel update
A 'working holiday' is kind of how we're describing it, though it's hard to explain to strangers the work I'm doing: preparing for a book festival, writing occasional travel blog posts (many of which I can re- or cross-post here), editing an anthology and writing a chapbook. Not to mention the research I want to … Continue reading Travel update
Kilts and wine breath: a conversation with my sister about meeting Diana Gabaldon
Some years ago when I was a bookstore girl, I became intrigued by this massive brick of a book called Cross Stitch (Outlander in the US), which many middle-aged women would get flustered over: ‘You haven’t read it?’ they’d ask. I read it, and it was great fun – particularly the raunchy historical Scottish sex, and the … Continue reading Kilts and wine breath: a conversation with my sister about meeting Diana Gabaldon
The Sinkings by Amanda Curtin
UWAP, 9781921401114 (Aus, US) Amanda Curtin's atmospheric novel begins with a bizarre and horrific murder at the Sinkings, in Western Australia, 1882. Flash forward to the present and reclusive, aging writer/editor Willa is reflecting upon the daughter that has gone away from her. Tying these two narratives together are the hermaphroditism of both 'Little Jock' - … Continue reading The Sinkings by Amanda Curtin