Arts funding is Scotland is dire. I wrote a poem ‘Shoestring’ because that’s how it is.

STRIP RELEASE Introducing the new McDermid Ladies home and away kits for 2024/25. With thanks to our sponsors 4eyedimensions, Karen Pirie and Chris Dall Builders 🩷🖤

Completely agree. This book one the first Val McDermid debut of the year and it is fabulous.

This is disgraceful. The culture sector earns not just hard cash but respect and admiration, at home and abroad. What else is this government going to dismiss as worthless?

Wow! What a collection of cameras #WorldPhotographyDay2024

Why can’t the Scottish government learn this lesson, rather than cut support to writers??? ‘We all read like hell!’ How Ireland became the world’s literary powerhouse theguardian.com/books/article/…

In the wake of news of further cuts to the arts by Scottish Government, I keep thinking about the reception I attended last night, cohosted by Edinburgh International Book Festival, Culture_Ireland and Ireland CG Edinburgh to celebrate the many Irish acts in Edinburgh this month. It's hard not to compare the two countries.

Afghan women arrive in Edinburgh to finish medical degrees denied under Taliban theguardian.com/uk-news/articl…

If Labour really wants [v big if] to help Scotland (and Wales for that matter), how about Changing this?! Especially as we supply most of it!!

🚨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland’s cultural landscape is at risk of collapse, due to continued inaction and backtracking from the Scottish Government. Please join me in signing the Campaign for the Arts petition to urge ministers to deliver on their arts funding pledges now. campaignforthearts.org/petitions/scot…

Magic moment: Sydney aquarium filled with song after sea birds mourn death of gay penguin Sphen theguardian.com/world/article/…

Very powerful evening which OU in Scotland were delighted to sponsor. Raw and inspiring. Amongst our guests were some of our care experienced students;disappointed that the Scottish Government minister was a no show. Things come up but warning/apology from private office used to be standard.

Great fun spending the last year working on this new book with the mighty Daniel Gray From Luncarty to Mount Florida.

Exciting news… I’ve been chosen to pitch a book I’ve been attempting to write to a panel of professionals at Bloody Scotland ! Think Scottish politics meets Murder, She Wrote 🕵️‍♀️ Better get writing ✍️

Four different goalscorers in a 4-0 win for McDermid Ladies at a wet and windy Windmill. Well done to all ⚽️🩷

Over 13,000 people are calling on Scottish Government to deliver on their arts funding pledges. Without action, cultural catastrophe in Scotland is imminent. Add your name to the petition here: campaignforthearts.org/petitions/scot…

The British Book Awards launches new prize for public libraries thebookseller.com/news/the-briti…

⭐️The finalists have been selected for the 2024 McIlvanney Prize! Congrats! CARNIVAL OF LIES Cesare Aldo returns 26.6.25 A Divine Fury Pan Macmillan Chris Brookmyre The Cracked Mirror (Sphere) Val McDermid Past Lying (Sphere) Abir Mukherjee Hunted (Vintage) Kim Sherwood A Spy Like Me HarperCollins Creative Scotland

Bloody delighted to be on this bloody terrific shortlist ! 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Thank you so much, I really enjoyed stretching myself to write something so different!