The wait is over – The Big Cats Dance Party is published today and Mma Ramotswe is back at the top of the ‘to read’ piles in bedrooms across the land. The latest despatch from Botswana is certainly full of events, even if it starts with a leisurely trip to buy a pair of shoes […]

From the ‘i’ on Alexander’s Positive Distraction Podcast ‘Warm and comforting, these bite-sized tales are a tonic’ ‘Positivity and finding comfort in the everyday are arguably the defining features of McCall Smith’s extensive literary back catalogue of more than 100 novels’ FIVE STARS From the Sunday Post on Alexander’s Positive Distraction Podcast ‘Alexander’s Positive Distraction […]

A brand new PODCAST from Alexander McCall Smith Alexander McCall Smith, worldwide best-selling author of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and The 44 Scotland Street novels, presents a season of beautifully written short stories in the brand new Positive Distraction PODCAST. Distract yourself with the warmth of his voice and the infectious ripple of […]

Two Waterstones Offers THIS WEEK ONLY TWO FORTHCOMING BOOKS FROM ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH are now on offer with Waterstones UK. You’ll need to move fast. Both are in a promotion which goes live today, 21 July but only until Friday 26 July. But it is a whopping 25% off. This offer is online only and […]

The Positive Distraction Podcast with Alexander McCall Smith Alexander McCall Smith today offers an insight into the making of his new podcast, The Positive Distraction: I recorded this first instalment of short stories this past spring, when we were waiting in Edinburgh for the first signs of summer. Now, at last, all is ready for […]

For a limited time, Waterstones UK are offering a generous 25% off pre-orders for September’s The Big Cats Dance Party – the latest addition to The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. Use code SUMMER26 at checkout on their site from Tuesday 21st July to Friday 24th This is very much a time limited offer so […]

The Bayeux Tapestry depicting events leading up to the Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, will be loaned to the British Museum in London from September 2026 to July 2027. This 70-metre-long tapestry is cherished by all who know it, throughout the world. The Great Tapestry of Scotland visitor centre […]

Alexander’s short play for the Lyceum at Home project has received a tremendous response. Last week it played at the Eric Liddell Community centre for Day Care clients. The performance was covered on the MSN home page. The impact of the tour is already being felt. At the Eric Liddell Community, audiences included Day Care […]

(Knowing of course that he will see him very soon) Yesterday historian, broadcaster and festival director, Alistair Moffat MBE stepped down from his role at the head of Borders Book Festival in Melrose, Scotland. The occasion was marked by a glorious brunch for 90 people at Bowhill House in the Scottish Borders. Hosted by The […]

Alexander and the Importance of Reading to Children The Eastern Eye reported at the weekend from the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival in Sutton, South London. As part of that reporting, they carried the article below on Alexander’s event at the festival, where he talked about the importance of Reading to Children: “It’s really important that […]

It is has come round very quickly, but we are delighted to report that Alexander’s play for Lyceum at Home is being performed out in the community in Edinburgh this week (in people’s homes and places of work). And then, from 18-20 June, on stage at the Lyceum. In addition to Alexander’s work, monologues were […]

Alexander battled against the storms on Saturday to make it to the British Library. There he was delighted to take part in the Jaipur Festival, London. He was on stage for an in-conversation event with historian, critic and author William Dalrymple where they tackled the subject of the importance of being kind. Well-known wine writer, […]