WebJulAug2018

24 | www.westendermagazine.com
The book finishes with a novella
(Powdered Milk) revisiting characters
from the opening story – do you have
plans to revisit any other characters or
stories at a later date in perhaps longer
form?
I have no plans as yet. But I won’t rule it
out. It might be in a shorter form, too, if it
happens.
You describe yourself as a writer with a
‘moor and a cold sea in your heart’ what
do you mean by this?
It refers to where I grew up – the landscape
of Skye is still there, still coming through my
work, I think.
Although you spent your early years in
Skye, you are now settled in Edinburgh –
via Glasgow where you studied literature
– where feels most like home?
I love Glasgow, and would love to live there
again. However, home is a moveable feast.
My student days were a hard-working period.
All I did was work and hang out with writers.
I would like to live in Glasgow when I’m not
up to my eyes in essay deadlines!
I thoroughly enjoy your observations
on twitter (@HelenMcClory) you really
seem to engage with your followers. How
important is it for you to have a social
media presence?
I think Twitter has helped me connect with so
many cool people, and find opportunities all
over the place – I love it, even though it can
be stressful (and a distraction). I think it keeps
my finger on the pulse and also inspires me.
Once I wrote a day of flash fiction to prompts
people gave me there, and it was intense but
really rewarding. I can’t say how important it
is, but it’s a big part of my life.
Competition!
We have two signed
copies of Mayhem &
Death to give away. Visit
westendermagazine.com and
click on competitions by the
31st of August 2018.
You are appearing at the Edinburgh Book
Festival on 24 August, what can you tell us
about your event?
I’ll be appearing with the excellent Canadian
writer Camilla Grudova, who also happens
to love the weird and dark in fiction, and is a
new friend of mine, so the craic’s going to be
good. During festival time the city pulls on all
its fancy clothes, dances about with people.
Don’t listen to the moaners – it’s never better
than in August.
Who are you looking forward to seeing?
I don’t have the catalogue yet! But I will be
happy to see Camilla!
We are looking forward to seeing you
at the Festival; can you sum up why our
readers should buy your book?
I think they should buy it for two reasons
– one, it’s been put out by two amazing
Scottish women who are running their own
publishing house out of a spare room (and
wouldn’t you want to support that?) and two,
because the stories in the book are written
for you. They’re just waiting right there, for
you to get stuck in.
Check out the full programme of
events and book tickets for the
Edinburgh International Book festival at
edbookfest.co.uk
Mayhem &
Death
£2
OFF
*
RRP £8.99
*Exclusive offer for WESTENDER readers
at Waterstones 351-355 Byres Road
branch only, by 31st August 2018.