Pic credit: Becky Duncan For the latest podcast Ali spoke to writer Kirstin Innes about her acclaimed novel Scabby Queen. The two discuss the origins of the title and why it fits with the structure of the book, where the initial idea came from, who and what inspired her characters, and how the central figure of Clio Campbell drives events despite being absent for much of the book. Kirstin also talks about how writing the novel helped her to make sense of recent and current ev

To call Kirstin Innes’s Scabby Queen one of the most eagerly awaited novels of 2020 is a sizeable understatement. She had the not insignificant task of following up her ‘Not The Booker Prize’ winning novel Fishnet which introduced readers to a writer unafraid to tackle complex subjects, and do so with considerable style to match the substance. Scabby Queen doesn’t just build on the promise of Fishnet it surpasses it with consummate ease. It’s a brave writer who kills their ce

If ever a novel deserved a long life it is Kirstin Innes‘ Fishnet. A winner of The Guardian’s Not The Booker Prize, and one of The Independent’s Top 10 Debut Fiction Books of 2015, it was, like far too many others, a casualty of the liquidation of Freight Books. So it is most welcome news that it is being republished by Black & White Publishing, in a beautiful new edition, which makes it the perfect time to republish the SWH! review of Fishnet from 2015*. Having read it again

You may have had your fill already of ‘Books Of The Year’ lists already, but we like to think that Scots Whay Hae’s selection is small, beautifully formed and well worthy of your attention. These are the books which stood out against a lot of stiff competition in 2015. It could have been longer but we decided to stick to the traditional Top Ten. Consisting mostly of novels ,with a couple of music biographies thrown in, these books will take you to North Korea, Detroit, the Fi

The latest podcast sees Ali in conversation with writer and journalist Kirstin Innes. The primary reason was to discuss her terrific debut novel Fishnet, but, as inevitably happens, talk turns to other matters as well,  including the repercussions of the closing of The Arches, the future of the arts in Scotland, and the importance of spoken word events. Kirstin has been one of the central figures in Scottish cultural life for some time, working at the aforementioned Arches, a

As if we ever needed confirmation, the recent 50 Shades phenomenon proved once more that when it comes to fiction, sex sells. It was also a timely reminder that there are too few novelists prepared to write seriously about sex. This is particularly true with regard to the sex industry and those who work in it, both of which are all too often stigmatised and stereotyped without a second thought. Kirstin Innes’ novel Fishnet gives the subject the serious consideration it deserv