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Story

May 2025

The Pope’s Australian Christmas

As the new Pope, Pope Leo XIV, take up his position, spare a thought for the first (fictional) Australian pope who longed for home… Written by Alexander McCall Smith in 2012. 1. The first Australian pope had generally been regarded as a great success. His election had been a surprise – the College of Cardinals […]

November 2021

A Story for November: Australia Deprivation Syndrome

Some light-hearted writing in recognition of those who love Australia and have been unable to visit for some time.

From Mma Ramotswe, for Mother’s Day

Date Published: 14th March 2021

Mma Ramotswe talks to Mma Makutsi about mothers and Mother’s Day. It was Mother’s Day, or not quite, but Mother’s Day was just a few days away. At the first tea break that morning in the No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Mma Makutsi mentioned to Mma Ramotswe that she had seen a notice in a […]

Tiny Tales of Delight – Available Now in the Financial Times

Date Published: 28th March 2020

This week, in the Financial Times Weekend Magazine, a six page feature heralds the arrival of a new story-telling diversion from Alexander McCall Smith and our favourite illustrator, Iain McIntosh. Together they have explored the sketch-story in cartoon strip format and created tiny capsules of tales, an amuse-bouche of delight for readers. These little universes and […]

Don’t Miss Out on Seasonal Treats

Date Published: 30th December 2019

Seasonal treats not to be missed – Alexander McCall Smith’s Christmas story was published in the ‘i’ on 26 December. Take a moment to enjoy by clicking on this link. He also had one of the top Christmas Day slots for his short story on BBC Radio 4 (and three other slots in Christmas week). […]

May 2019

A Story for May: The Second Worst Restaurant in France

A little taster of the soon-to-be-published The Second Worst Restaurant in France (publishing May 2019), sequel to My Italian Bulldozer.

April 2019

A Story for April: Being Glad About Being Home

Not a story, but a delightful contemplation of appreciating home. A version of this piece originally appeared in the Sunday Post.

March 2019

A Story for March: The Department of Sensitive Crimes

A sneak peek at the first chapter from the upcoming book, The Department of Sensitive Crimes (publishing March 2019)- the start of the new Detective Varg series.

February 2019

A Story for February: First Class

First Class A great airport, as everyone knows, is a city in itself, a microcosm of society. Within its confines almost every walk of life, every trade or profession, is represented. There are pilots, doctors, priests, engineers, electricians, negotiators, cooks and beauticians. Some of these jobs are glamorous – pilots inevitably attract admiring glances as […]

Celebrating Christmas with the BBC

Date Published: 13th December 2016

In a week long celebration of Christmas, Alexander offers readers and listeners a Christmas treat to cherish. Alexander has written five original Christmas short stories for the BBC, to be broadcast from 19-23 December, 2016. Listen live at 10.45pm (UK) each night on BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime or catch up online on BBC Radio […]