I have long enjoyed writing to my literary heroes. No more so than as a romantic book-mad 20year-old, pre library employment. Muriel Spark was quick to recommend the library as a source for her further reading faves to save me 'dipping into my dole'. How I treasure this letter #libraries
New in @gallovidiabooks.bsky.social and battling various opponents for bestest ever author signature is the glorious human being that is Kathy Burke with a stylish squiggle we can all get behind in these dark fascistic time. A strong 8/10 for Kathy and her fab wee biography #kirkcudbright #bookshops
Anthony Horowitz enters the Champion Authors Scribbles @gallovidiabooks.bsky.social with a spellbinding signature that reads like wartime code or something extracted from a lie detector machine. Shades of Trump? Who can say - but Marble Hall Murders is, in any case, a ripping Christmas read. 6/10
A lovely contender in @gallovidiabooks.bsky.social 'Top Of The Pops Author Signature Competition' or whatever it is. Here comes Charlie Mackesy with his palette cleansing tome 'Always Remember'. And the scribe is sublime. One word, beautifully writ:'Charlie' 10/10. Number one for Christmas?
Still a few tickets for this event at Wigtown Book Festival next Wednesday. Talking all things wildlife and conservation in Galloway with Polly Pullar. Wind turbines, Sitka Spruce, Red Kites, open access and more. Plus my take on trying to stay positive, despite everything.
Hello Sara! πππ so sorry to have missed you - the pesky covid caught me π¦ π¦ π¦ π¦
Aha, a Grand Master enters the Champion's League of Author Scribes @gallovidiabooks.bsky.social . The Lionel Messi of signatures. Flourish, confidence. Sebastian Faulks: a literary titan in full command of his legible, skilled and most elegant signature. 9/0 for old school brilliance.
Champions League of Author Scribbles rattles on apace with latest contender Charlie Hodgson romping in with this likeable effort, squiggly but a level of accomplishment, too. The book itself is a belter. '1066 And All That' with added swagger. Available @gallovidiabooks.bsky.social #kirkcudbright
Galloping into the Champ Of Champs Signed Editions League. @gallovidiabooks.bsky.social It's only national treasure Bob Mortimer and his new crime caper 'The Long Shoe' And a lovely signature, to boot. Got a real 70s footballer autograph feel about it. Back of the net stuff and a solid 7/10.
Lovely to welcome million- selling children's author and imaginative genius Nick Sherratt to @gallovidiabooks.bsky.social this morning. Fine signature, Sir. Do go see him at Wigton Book Festival tomorrow morning.
It's only fit & proper that in the World Cup of Author Signatures staged at @gallovidiabooks.bsky.social in Kirkcudbright, that a dog enters the fray. Ted The Dog, of 'Gone Fishing' TV fame. What an imprint it is. Strong, confident, no nonsense.'I'm a dog & this is my paw'. 9/10. Osman take note.
Thursday and fitting that Murder Club big hitter and all round nice guy Richard Osman throws his hat into the ring for the Champion Of Champions Author Signatures World Cup @gallovidiabooks . And, really, what a cryptic, slapdash scrawly affair it is. Looks more like Ali G. 4/10 for effort.
Back at the Author Signature World Championships at @gallovidiabooks.bsky.social we welcome the YA entry from esteemed, super popular and page turning @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social and quite the satisfying squiggle it is, too, illustrating effort, which is to be commended. A solid 7/10 for Cynthia.
Aha,into the good ship @gallovidiabooks.bsky.social drops another signed edition to enter the Grand Author's Signature World Cup. But what to make of the immensely talented Gareth Rubin's swaggering 'G' and 'G' only, might we add? Short on time? Short on ink? So many questions. 6/10 for the bother..
We have the new @mlrio.bsky.social utterly thrilling novel in @gallovidiabooks.bsky.social and the book is signed.
A cool, confident squiggle for which we award 7/10 in our Gallovidia Signed Books Championships. #kirkcudbright
A pleasure to celebrate the launch of 'Everything We Do Is Music' in the bookshop today. Elizabeth Alker interviewed a hyper enthused younger me when @loudinlibraries.bsky.social launched 20 years ago and has been brilliant ever since. Of course she interviews the likes of Paul McCartney nowadays...
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Dundrennan Abbey is one of my favourite abbeys with Yorkshire connections. Founded in 1142 near Kirkcudbright, it was established by Fergus of Galloway and possibly King David I, with monks from Rievaulx Abbey. Though now mostly ruined it still reflects the austere beauty of Cistercian
THE ART OF A LIE, is out TODAY! It's a tale of murder, trickery, love, betrayal & Georgian London's first 'iced cream' parlour. I can't wait for you to meet Hannah & William, my two favourite characters of any of my books. Look at that beautiful cover
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BUY NOW: www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Lie-Grip...
@loudinlibraries.bsky.social
Nice to see that there's still a programme: getitloudinlibraries.com/events/
The pandemic has completely skewed my perception of time. And I've just realised I've got no gigs lined up at the moment. Is there anything or anyone on your radar?
@libraryfiend
Also available in all good indie bookshops π
Oh! We loved the first two with all three of our octo hearts - π ππ
Hello - waving hello to you from up in SW Scotland ππππ
One thing about working in an indie bookstore is that I see how thin their margins are. Always shop locally when you can. Keep local businesses alive, and keep the money in your community.
Interested in #Edinburgh women's history? A statue is being proposed to the memory of Elsie Inglis on the High St. This lacks artistic merit, excludes female artists, misrepresents Dr Inglis' legacy & disregards the context of the site. We need your help so pls read this 𧡠π
A lovely evening chatting all things Galloway, nature writing and squirrel with @iancarter67.bsky.social thanks for your bookish support Ian!
Not long until weβre joined by @iancarter67.bsky.social to celebrate the release of his beautiful love letter to our very special part of this beautiful planet π
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wild-gallo...
Gallovidia Book sign
Books in window of Gallovidia
Building in Kirkcudbright
Building in Kirkcudbright
Had a lovely 24hrs in Kirkcudbright for my Book Week event. Great turnout, v engaged audience & Alan McClure was a top host. Shout out to @gallovidiabooks.bsky.social which was going like a fair this morning. Had a nice chat with Stewart & signed some stock. Great to see an indy book shop thriving.