For the first Scots Whay Hae! podcast of 2021 Ali spoke to writer David F. Ross about his latest novel There’s Only One Danny Garvey (out now, published by Orenda Books). It’s a brilliant book which explores themes of mental health, guilt, family, friendship, football, and so much more. The two desperately try to avoid all spoilers as they talk about the inspiration behind the book, and Danny himself, as well as the setting of Scottish junior football, how David’s novels have

Most of my favourite writers manage to both meet and confound expectations, offering style and substance which is reassuringly familiar, yet giving readers something new each time. Consider just a small selection of the most celebrated authors featured on Scots Whay Hae! over the years – James Kelman, Janice Galloway, Andrew O’Hagan, A.L. Kennedy, Kirsty Logan, David Keenan – they have written about a variety of subjects using different approaches and literary techniques, but

If only everything in life was as dependable as a Doug Johnstone novel. Over the years he has become a writer whose books you can open and relax into as you know you are in safe hands. Although, perhaps ‘relax’ isn’t the most appropriate word as Johnstone rarely lets you do that. A trademark of his novels is that he gets into the action quickly and keeps readers hooked until the final word, offering a literary joy ride each time. His latest, A Dark Matter, is no exception. It

For our Best Books of 2019 podcast Ali was once again joined by Publishing Scotland’s Vikki Reilly to have a chat about their year in books. As well as discussing in detail their personal favourites they look at the writers who have left their mark, awards and award winners, festivals old and new, the healthy state of Scottish poetry, the continuing prosperity of crime fiction, what’s happening in the publishing world, the prevailing trends and themes of 2019, what to look fo

It’s always a risk when a writer leaves well-loved characters and places behind to move on to something new. David F. Ross completed his ‘Disco Days Trilogy’ with 2017’s The Man Who Loved Islands, a fitting end but one which left both writer and reader questioning what he would do next. The answer to that is now with us in the shape of Welcome To The Heady Heights, (Orenda Books) and from the opening chapter it is clear that everyone can relax, sit back, and enjoy. It’s a nov