Blog
I occasionally give forth on matters to do with writing, farming and a great many other things.
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Is that you, mother?
I’ve had a few contacts via the form on this website in recent weeks, from people – other writers mostly – who have received emails that claim to be from me, complimenting them on their work and looking for further ‘conversation’. These emails almost always come from a gmail account, and I know at least one was joswaldwriter@gmail.com. Easy to think that might really be me, but let me assure you all it is not.
publishing, Writing
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‘AI’ don’t think so
A couple of things collided in my attention this week and formed a proto-thought about ‘AI’ I thought I’d share here. I always put ‘AI’ in quote marks, by the way, because it’s an acronym that stands for so many different and disparate things it might as well stand for nothing. But that’s a post for another time, maybe.
Writing
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The Dog Days Are Over
Sad news at the farm as we say goodbye to Dogmael, the tricoloured sort-of sheepdog. He had a minor stroke last week and died in his sleep on Saturday afternoon at the grand old age of fourteen and a half.
Writing
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The Rest Is Death – Book Launch
Inspector McLean book fourteen – The Rest Is Death is published on March 27th 2025. To mark this momentous occasion, I will be in conversation with the redoubtable Russel D McLean, whose own new novel – The Friday Girl – is out a fortnight earlier. Why not come and see the both of us at Waterstones Dundee – details at this link – https://www.waterstones.com/events/r-d-mclean-in-conversation-with-james-oswald/dundee
Diary, Events
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Farewell, my lovelies
It’s been a while coming, but I have finally made the decision to no longer update my Twitter account @SirBenfro. I’m not shutting the account down, and it may well be that I return to it some day, but for now I’ve had enough.
Writing
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Kirkcaldy here we come
Another event to add to the list for the For Our Sins book tour. I’ll be chatting away in Waterstones Kirkcaldy on Tuesday, March 5th. Kick off at 7pm. Come along if you’re in the area, why don’t you?
Events
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For Our Sins – Book Launch!
It’s getting close to publication day for the thirteenth Inspector McLean novel. Are you excited yet? I’ll be launching the book at Waterstones West End in Edinburgh on publication day – Thursday 15th February. If you’re in town that day, why not come along? Details and tickets here.
Events
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Bury Them Deep – Book Tour
Yes, it’s time for another book! In this case, Inspector McLean book ten – Bury Them Deep. Hardback, eBook and Audio editions will be published on February 20th, which isn’t all that long now. By way of drumming up interest in the book, I’m doing a mini-tour. Tenth book, so ten nights. Check out the details below.
Diary, Events
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Where to find me…
A few events and signings for the new year and the launch of Inspector McLean book nine – Cold As The Grave.
Events
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Testing time again
Please ignore this post if you see it, although if you do see it I’ll be very pleased because it will mean the bloody website’s working again.
Diary, Events, Writing
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The Darkness is Gathering…
The observant among you will have noticed that there’s a new Inspector McLean book coming out on January 25th. To mark the launch of The Gathering Dark – book eight in the series – I will be doing a short signing and talking tour. Dates confirmed are as follows:
Events, publishing
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It’s all happening now!
I’m all too aware that I’ve been neglecting this place of late. There never seems to be enough time in the day to do everything, and often it’s the website that gets overlooked. And so it is, the last post here was back in February. Sorry about that, but there are some interesting things coming soon, so I will try harder to update this page more regularly.
Events, publishing, Writing
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A few places you can find me…
So, the publicity for the new book is beginning to fall into place. There’s a launch event on publication day, February 23rd. Half six at Waterstones West End in Edinburgh. Tickets are free and available in store. I’ll be chatting with Russel D McLean about things and stuff.
Events, publishing, Writing
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Written in Bones Launch!
The clock is ticking down now, and we’ll soon be launching the seventh (eek!) book in the Detective Inspector McLean series. Written in Bones sees Tony McLean investigating perhaps the most unusual case of his career, when the body of a man is found high up in the bare winter branches of a tree on Edinburgh’s Meadows.
Events, publishing, Writing
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More places you will find me.
Rubbish as I am at updating these pages, I’ve been very remiss of late in telling you all where I will be and when. It’s quite possible that nobody really cares, of course. But just in case you do, here’s my schedule for the end of 2016 – the year that keeps on giving.
Events, Writing
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Where I’m at…
It’s been a while since I’ve updated this place, I know. And for that I’m sorry. Life is always busy and there’s only so much my brain can hold on to before important stuff starts to leak out.
Events
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The Damage Done – Launch Tour
I have a new book out on February 25th, in case you hadn’t noticed. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I can’t do anything the week of publication, but I’ve put together a few events in March. Catch me at any of these if you’d like to hear more about the book.
Events
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Prayer for the Dead
Yes, it’s almost time for the next book in the Inspector McLean series. Prayer for the Dead is published on February 12th here in the UK, and it’s the first time I’m going to be in hardback.
Events, publishing, Writing
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USA!
So tomorrow I will be boarding a plane at that Edinburgh Airport, heading for Heathrow and then on to Los Angeles. I have a short, LA-centric book schedule, culminating in a panel appearance at this year’s Bouchercon in Long Beach. Since it all starts very soon, I probably should have let the world know a bit earlier. Things like farming, writing and building a house rather tend to get in the way though.
Events, Writing
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Forbidden Planet Signing – London – November 18th
I’ve been reading comics since I was in short trousers, and first discovered the delights of Forbidden Planet in the early 1980s, when it was in Denmark Street, just off the Charing Cross Road in London. So it is with enormous pleasure and not a small amount of smugness that I can announce I will be signing copies of The Rose Cord at Forbidden Planet’s new London Megastore on Shaftesbury Avenue in November. If you’re in the area, do come along.
Events
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Encounters Festival – North Lanarkshire – Tuesday October 7th 7pm
I’ll be in Coatbridge, at the library, talking about Dead Men’s Bones, Inspector McLean and maybe even Benfro the dragon. Do come along if you’ve nothing better to do (which, let’s face it, you probably have).
Events
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Where I’m at – Nine Worlds, Loncon3, FantasyCon and Benfro
August is here already. How did that happen? I should have known, of course. It usually comes right after July. That doesn’t make things any easier though.
Events, publishing, Writing
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Stirling Library – Book signing and stuff
OK. I am officially useless at keeping this place up to date. I will be at Stirling Central Library tomorrow, 7pm, reading from the new book, talking gibberish and signing anything that stands still for long enough. Come along if you’re brave (or foolish) (or both).
Events
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Waterstones Argyle Street, Glasgow
I will be interviewed by Douglas Skelton, read a bit, be evasive when answering questions, then sign some books. Kick off is 7 pm
Events
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Booked Festival – Dalmuir Library – Wednesday 21st May 2014
A bit last minute with the information here, for which my apologies.
Events
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World Book Night – April 23rd 2014 – Aberdeen Central Library
In celebration of all things bookish, I will be at the Aberdeen Central Library on World Book Night. There will be fun. There will be games. There will most likely be me rambling on about writing and cows.
Events
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Musselburgh Library – March 29th 2014
Continuing my push towards world domination, I shall be addressing the good people of Midlothian this coming Saturday. Come listen to my dubious wisdom – there’ll be refreshments, and books.
Events
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Signings – Saturday March 8 2014
In a triumph of hope over experience, I shall be signing books at Waterstones Kirkcaldy from half twelve until half one on Saturday March 8th. After that, I will be signing books in Waterstones Cameron Toll, Edinburgh, from two until four.
Events
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Library Event – Kemnay Library – March 11th 2014
Another day, another talk in a library. This time it’s Kemnay’s turn – my first foray north in a while. I’ll be talking about my books, writing, farming, the weather, world politics, pretty much anything, really. There’ll be a chance to ask me probing questions, which I will answer evasively. I might sign stuff, too.
Events
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Library Talk – Kilmarknock – March 6th 2014
I’ll be at the Dick Institute (stop sniggering!) Library in Kilmarnock, on Thursday March 6th 2014, from about half seven until half nine. There’ll be some blether, some reading from the new book, some questions to which I will attempt sensible answers, and the opportunity to buy books. I will also sign these, or anything else you bring along (as long as it’s not a cheque from that cheque book I lost a few months back).
Events
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Book Launch for The Hangman’s Song – Waterstones Newton Mearns – March 4th 2014
Once more aided by the inestimable Russel D McLean, I will be talking gibberish, reading gruesome extracts from my novels and generally larking about in the name of selling books.
Events
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Book Signing – Waterstones Perth – Saturday 1st March 2014
I’ll be defacing brand new copies of The Hangman’s Song (and anything else you want to bring along) at Waterstones in the St John’s Centre in Perth (Scotland, that is. Sorry, Australia – hoping to get out to you soon!)
Events
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Saturday February 8th 2014 – Danderhall Library
Kicking off the new year of events, I’ll be talking about books and other stuff at Danderhall Library, just south of Edinburgh. Saturday February 8. Things kick off at 7 PM.
Events
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30th November 2013 – Book Week Scotland – Fife Readers’ Day – Rothes Hall Glenrothes
The end of an exhausting week for me. I’ll be workshopping (is that even a word?), reading and generally dispensing advice of dubious usefulness to all and sundry.
Events, Writing
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29th November 2013 – Book Week Scotland – Steps Theatre Dundee
This time with the redoubtable Russel D McLean. We’ll be having a chat like you’re not there, and probably reading extracts from each others books in silly voices. Come along if you’re feeling indulgent.
Events, Writing
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28th November 2013 – Book Week Scotland – St Andrews Library
As if Stirling wasn’t enough, Allan Guthrie and I will be appearing in Stirling the very next day. This time talking about getting published and other stuff. Possibly Maine Coon cats.
Events, Writing
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27th November 2013 – Book Week Scotland – Central Library Stirling
As part of the annual literary jamboree that is Book Week Scotland, I shall be appearing at Central Library Stirling with Allan Guthrie, for general chat and reading the naughty bits from my next book.
Events
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23rd November 2013 – Iceland Noir
If you happen to be in Reykjavik next weekend, you’ll find me and a few other bemused British crime fiction authors rubbing shoulders with our Icelandic chums at this, the first ever Icelandic Crime Fiction Convention.
Events
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19th October 2013 – Unsolved Festival – Castle Fraser, Aberdeenshire
Come along to Historic Castle Fraser, just outside Inverurie in Aberdeenshire for the Unsolved festival. I’ll be appearing at 11.00 AM on Saturday 19th October 2013. In conversation with the delightful Russel D McLean.
Events, Writing
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6th September – Library Talk – Inverurie Library
Encroaching on Stuart MacBride’s turf this time! I shall be talking about Farming, Writing, Books and anything else that enters my mind. 7pm at Inverurie Library. Tickets are £5 and that includes refreshments!
Events
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31st August – Book Signing – Asylum Books and Games, Aberdeen
I shall be hanging out with my old pal Mike McLean (no relation) in his shop, Asylum Books and Games, for most of the day on Saturday 31st August 2013. Should be there from around midday. Come for a chat, or let me scribble in your books.
Events, Writing
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2nd September – Library Talk – Kirkwall
As part of Orkney Library Discover it Yourself week, I will be giving a talk at Orkney Library, Kirkwall from 7.00 PM to 8.00 PM in the McGillivray Room. This will be my first solo gig, so if you’re in the area and fancy a laugh, do come along. There will be books available to buy, and if you’re really good I’ll deface them for you.
Events
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Book Signing – Waterstones Perth – July 6th
When: 6th July 2013 – 12.00 til 1:00 – later if there’s a crowd.
Events
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AK Bell Library – July 6th. Chatting with Allan Guthrie
When: July 6th 2013. Doors open 7pm for a 7.30 start.
Events
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Events, dear boy
So, somewhere down the line I had a book launch, and Natural Causes was released into the wild as a paperback. Not only that, those lovely people Richard Madely and Judy Finnegan decided that it would be quite nice to have the book as one of their book club Summer Reads.
Events