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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

Over the past two weeks, Alexander has been in the media, in the Sunday Times, The Observer, The Big Issue, the Courier and more. And on Thursday he is interviewed live on The Idler events, between 6 and 7pm. https://www.idler.co.uk/product/a-drink-with-the-idler-alexander-mccall-smith Take a look:

Once in a while, the work of a charity hits home as truly inspirational. Jamie’s Farm is one such charity, supporting young people and their families in the often difficult years of secondary education and, in the process, changing lives. They run two farms on which young people can spend time and learn life skills […]

Due to the ongoing disruption to life as a result of Covid-19, Alexander McCall Smith has changed his travel plans.

In 2007, Alexander McCall Smith wrote a short story, Brussels for Beginners, which was read on BBC Radio 4. We include it here as we mark Brexit Day – some light relief as we ponder what might lie ahead. Brussels for Beginners By Alexander McCall Smith Tommaso Rossi joined the Italian civil service at the age of […]

Alexander McCall Smith is a very popular author at festivals across the world. To invite Alexander to a literary festival, a bookshop event or a corporate event in the UK please contact his publicist at jan.ppw@janrutherford.co.uk. Please note however that due to high demand, he has limited availability. He is a huge supporter of festivals […]

Alexander McCall Smith, or Sandy to his friends and readers, has achieved many things this year but top of the list has to be the Christmas Day slot on BBC Radio 4 for one of his delightful short stories. And that is just one of four of his stories that will be available to listeners […]

  Alexander McCall Smith, the best-selling author of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series, has shared his top story-writing tips with the 11-year-old winner of a Sunday Times Scotland short story writing competition. The author described the tale by Louisa Sheridan of Kelvinside Academy Junior School in Glasgow as “a little classic”. It told the […]

It is mid August in Edinburgh and Sandy (Alexander) has already appeared in two Fringe shows, one afternoon-tea at the rather lovely Waldorf Astoria hotel and three events at Edinburgh International Book Festival – all within the last week! This is our busiest month of the year but also one of the most enjoyable. Edinburgh […]