Well, it finally happened. I have made it into The Northern Times. Fame at last.
From Behind the Counter to the Front Page
The paper ran a lovely piece about Soon Enough, my debut urban fantasy novel inspired by the folklore and landscapes of Sutherland. It still feels a bit surreal seeing my name in the same paper I used to help sell when I was in my late teens.
My mum and my auntie owned the paper shop in Embo, and I would sometimes help out behind the counter. It always seemed like the entire village bought The Northern Times every week. The shop would be full of folk chatting about who had made it into the paper, what was going on in Dornoch, or who had written a letter worth arguing about. To now appear in its pages is, honestly, a bit giddying.
Stories That Never Really Leave You
The article talks about how growing up with Scottish folklore, always told as if it were real, shaped the story and how those tales found their way into the book. Soon Enough follows Dan MacLean, a struggling comedian and ghost-tour guide whose stories start to bleed into reality. It is a darkly funny look at Scotland’s hidden side, where myth and modern life occasionally bump into each other and pretend not to notice.
A Small but Wonderful Homecoming
Seeing the Highlands mentioned alongside my book felt like something coming full circle. The landscapes, the stories, and the sense of humour that runs through the place all shaped how I write. Having The Northern Times tell that story back to the world feels like a small but wonderful homecoming.
You can read the full Northern Times piece here:
👉 Author with Embo roots pens fantasy novel inspired by Sutherland
It is genuinely special to have that connection back home recognised. I am proud that the first bit of proper publicity for the book came from the Highlands, the place that sparked it all in the first place.
If you would like to know more about Soon Enough, you can find all the details here:
📖 Soon Enough – Learn More