I was born and brought up in Dunfermline (made famous by, amongst others, Sir Patrick Spens, Andrew Carnegie, Moira Shearer and Nazareth) and studied classics at St. Andrews University.
After graduating I spent time in Oxford and London before getting married and moving here to Bristol. Since then my accent has almost worn off, but I remain a Scot at heart, particularly during big sporting moments or when the English language fails to provide a word as vivid as dreich or scunner.
My first career was in university and college libraries until I found myself mixed up in new technologies, which led to a move into IT Training. It was around this time that I realised my ambition to be a writer would never come to pass unless I made a start.
For a while I dabbled with poems and short stories, but it wasn’t until a visit to France in 2003 that I had an idea for a novel and penned (or pencilled) the opening scenes during the ferry crossing home. Luckily I had already met Sarah Duncan, a local writer, whose ‘How to Write a Novel’ course provided both inspiration and practical advice. When I finally finished A New History of Love, I was thrilled to be a prize-winner in the A&C Black 2006 First Novel Competition. Maybe a publisher was too much to expect?
By 2012 I’d completed A Kettle of Fish and submitted to agents and publishers, gaining a positive reaction in most cases but no outright ‘yes’. Then Thornberry Publishing came along with an offer to e-publish and so here I am the debut novelist at last.
By a happy coincidence I was invited the very same week to join the online author network Love a Happy Ending, and was proud to be one of their featured authors in 2012.
There’s always news of my writing (and reading) on this site, and you can find me most days on Facebook or Twitter. Anyone who’d like to share memories of St. Andrews can take a look at my Alumnus Blog where I’d love to have contributions from fellow graduates – of any era.Thanks again for visiting. Come again, au revoir, or haste ye back!
Ali B.
Pleased to have found your site. Yes I was at St Andrews 1976 – 80 and emerged, with considerable lack of originality with a boyfriend I later married! Actually we did the same subjects as Prince William and KM. Will read more and think of something to contribute. Have so far not managed to persuade any of our four children to follow in our footsteps! Best, Alison
Hi Alison, how nice to meet you.
I also achieved the degree/boyfriend/husband set at St. Andrews but even earlier (70-74). Conceived the other blog in a nostalgia moment at the time of The Wedding but have become side-tracked. I think it could be fun to revive it, especially if others chip in.
a bientot?
AliB