Liam McIlvanney

Indeed!

He was indeed…

I’m afraid that, rather heretically for someone living in NZ, I take about as much interest in competitive rugby as I do in competitive tiddlywinks, so I’ll have to take your word for it…!

Nice!

It’s NZ. They assume everyone is an advanced and assiduous horticulturalist…

Ah, well, now I come to the shameful admission that, instead of planting and nurturing and watering my tree as a symbol of my citizenship, I left it too late and the thing kinda withered in its pot. They’ll probably deport me now…🫣

Congratulations! But did they give you a tree? They give you a tree when you become an NZ citizen…🇳🇿

Thanks so much, Caroline! Delighted you enjoyed it!

Plenty Scottish enough! Get writing…! 😉

😂

Applications are invited for the 2026 CISS Scottish Writing Fellowship at the University of Otago in Aotearoa New Zealand. Flights, accommodation & stipend for 2 months at the Caselberg House near Dunedin. Apply at the link below by 31 October. Good luck…! www.otago.ac.nz/ciss

Oh, lovely!

Many thanks!

Picture showing the finalists of The McIlvanney Prize 2025 - Tariq Ashkanani. Liam McIlvanney, Callum McSorley, Denise Mina and Ian Rankin

Announcing our McIlvanney Prize finalists:
@tariqashkanani.bsky.social - The Midnight King
@liammcilvanney.bsky.social - The Good Father
@callummcsorley.bsky.social - Paperboy
@damedenisemina.bsky.social - The Good Liar
@ianrankin1.bsky.social - Midnight and Blue
Winner revealed next Friday!
👏👏👏

Cheers, man!

Write Spot with Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature - Otago Access Radio Write Spot takes a look at how our city is embracing its City of Literature status with Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature director Nicky Page and Special Guests.

I so enjoyed chatting with the wonderful Nicole Flattery on Write Spot. Thanks to the great team at OAR and Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature!

oar.org.nz/shows/write-...

So wonderful to be in conversation with our 2025 Writing Fellow at the Centre of Irish and Scottish Studies. Nicole Flattery shared excellent insights into her works and we got an advance peak into her forthcoming novel! Thanks as always to Dunedin City Library and UNESCO Dunedin City of Literature

Excellent!!

Not surprised, Maebh. Tremendous event altogether👏

PaperPlus in the Golden Centre mall. People of taste…

Big in Dunedin…😉

Fantastically broad, deep and illuminating conversation between Prof @maebhlong.bsky.social and the 2025 CISS Irish Writing Fellow Nicole Flattery in Dunedin tonight. Can’t wait to get cracking on these books…

Great recognition for a wonderful book!

Book on the rise of Pacific literature shortlisted for Literary Encyclopedia Prize A book co-authored by Professor Maebh Long, Otago’s Eamon Cleary Chair in Irish Studies, has been shortlisted for a Literary Encyclopedia Book Prize.

Fantastic to see my stellar Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies compadre, Prof @maebhlong.bsky.social, shortlisted for the Literary Encyclopedia Prize for her outstanding co-written monograph on The Rise of Pacific Literature. Comhghairdeas, Maebh! 👏👏👏

Ha! There must be a smirr in the offing. Hang in there…!😂

Thanks, Louise! So great to catch up, however briefly!

Cheers, Wilma!

Close…!

Missed a trick there…

That’s a wrap on The Good Father book tour. I may go for a wee lie down. Thanks to everyone who came along…💙📚