NEWS

Scotsman review of A Particular Man

Scotsman review of A Particular Man

This is from a lovely review by Allan Massie of A Particular Man, in the Scotsman: ‘It is a very fine period piece, an old black-and-white movie in words. One finds oneself mentally casting the characters: the young Dirk Bogarde for Starling, the very young Jean Simmons for Aida, Valerie Hobson for Clementine, Donald Sinden…

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A Particular Man published

A Particular Man published

Today’s the official launch day of A Particular Man. Good luck out there in the world dear novel! When a book comes out it’s a bit like sending your child off on its travels for the first time – you put all your love and care into it for years and then it has to…

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New novel

New novel

At last! My new novel, A Particular Man, is about to come out. Publication date: 13th June. It’s been a long haul since the demise of my former publisher, but we’ve got here. Bloodhound are not only publishing A Particular Man, but also reissuing Blasted Things in September. I’m delighted as, while both volumes are…

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Deep midwinter

Deep midwinter

Deep mid-winter. Only three days till the longest night. I find this time of year exciting and inspiring, the light on the bare trees, the way you can see the architecture of the branches and twigs and the shapes of the birds within. There’s always one day in the run-up to Christmas when it doesn’t…

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My favourite reads of 2023

Here’s a link to my favourite books of 2023: https://shepherd.com/bboy/2023/f/lesley-glaister

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On the brink

On the brink

On my dog-walk this morning I was struck by the softness of everything on this grey mid-summer day: soft air, soft clouds, soft breeze stirring the branches, stroking my bare arms and the soft, sweet scent of elderflower. So unusually soft and dry and cushy for Edinburgh. But at the end of the week, we’ll…

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There are states of not writing

There are states of not writing

Sometimes a writer can’t write. Sometimes the writing flows irresistibly. But most of the time there is an in-between state. This is the truth for me, at least. And it is in this in-between state that I am in now. It’s a state of being neither entirely driven, nor entirely blocked. I think the urge…

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Ditching the Resolve

Ditching the Resolve

When does it become counterproductive to stick to a resolution? I’ve been asking myself this recently, as my resolve has become stale and dutiful. That is the trouble with making a rule. My resolution was to spot five different kinds of bird a day, and not just to spot but to observe them, note details…

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Among the morning trees

Among the morning trees

Since my last post I’ve seen, among other birds: two buzzards fighting, a woodpecker and something green, either a siskin or a greenfinch. And I have learned to distinguish between pigeons and wood pigeons, the latter much bigger, sturdier, more solitary and posher than the flocks of feral pigeons in the city centre. Since feral…

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Five A Day

Five A Day

I gave up on New Year’s Resolutions some time ago. But this year I have decided to embrace one, in the form of a new five a day challenge. Nothing to do with fruit and vegetables – five species of bird. Identifying five species a day gives a walk a special focus. It’s not at…

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