Callum McSorley's Blog

Looking for to heading to Strathaven Library on Thursday to chat about SQUEAKY CLEAN, PAPERBOY and all things Ally McCoist. (Might even sneak a little info in about the next book!)

This is a free event as part of Book Week Scotland but you do have to book a place, so follow this link here to save your seat!

Book Week Scotland runs 17-23 November and has brilliant author events all over the country. If you go to the website, you can have a look for things happening at your bit.

Hope to s...

This one’s going to be a belter!

Sunday 9th Nov at 4.15pm, I’ll be at the Mitchell Library for Aye Write festival with a couple of incredible new Scottish authors – Margaret McDonald and Tom Newlands.

Margaret won the Carnegie Medal for her debut GLASGOW BOYS about two teenagers, Banjo and Finlay, who meet in a care home.

Tom’s debut ONLY HERE, ONLY NOW – a tragicomedy about the teen years of Cora Mowat growing up in the scheme – won the McKitterick Prize.

I’ve read both and they...

I have a brand new and exclusive short story out on BBC Radio 4 now!

The Cottage is a spooky, seasonally-appropriate tale about the twin horrors of scary old houses and going to work for yer da.

It’s read by actor Scott Miller (War Horse, The Outrun), who has done an incredible job – his voice is absolutely perfect and gives an all-around brilliant performance – and was produced by Eilidh McCreadie. I’m really chuffed about how it turned out.

It was first broadcast on Radio 4 last Frida...

I’m really excited to be appearing at Cheltenham Literature Festival this year!

I’ve been picked as one of The Sunday Times Must Reads and will be chatting to Times and Sunday Times literary editor Robbie Millen about PAPERBOY on the 14th October.

I had a brilliant talk with Robbie for a feature in the paper when the book came out earlier this year, so I’m looking forward to picking it back up again, maybe do a wee workshop on Glaswegian swearing or something.

Tickets will be available...

I’m absolutely delighted to announce my second novel, PAPERBOY, has been longlisted for this year’s McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year.

My debut, Squeaky Clean, won this prestigious honour when it was published in 2023, in what has been the most surreal moment of my writing career so far.

It’s lovely to have been nominated once more – and this year’s list is absolutely stacked!

Living legends Ian Rankin and Lin Anderson are on it.

Denise Mina, Liam McIlvanney ...

Now that some programmes have officially been launched I can go up on the roof and yell about the incredible festivals I’m taking part in this year!

First up, on June 22nd I’m off to Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland, where I’ll be chatting to living legend Colin Bateman at the Not-So-Secret Book Festival, the debut fest from the town’s brilliant local book shop, The Secret Bookshelf.

Details and tickets

Abso...

Bok!

As well as going to Croatia for a wee summer holiday, I’ll also be doing a few bookish events while the Scottish sun lasts, chatting about PAPERBOY, shredding, and super rats.

As part of Independent Bookshop Week, I’m absolutely thrilled to be heading to Daydreams Bookshop to chat with the brilliant and gobby Martin Stewart, author of DOUBLE PROOF. We’re both purveyors of Glasgow-based, patter-heavy comedy/tragedy/violenty crime st...

Excited to be taking part in Reading Minds again this year!

Taking place this weekend, I’ll be doing a couple of things at Helensburgh’s new, brilliant, and growing book fest.

First up, on Saturday 29th at 1pm, I’ll be one of the judges for the Pitch Perfect event alongside fellow authors Suzy Aspley and Graham Morgan, editor Rachel Morrell, and director of artists’ residency Cove Park Alexia Holt.

Unpublished authors will be pitching us their ideas and I can’t wait to hear them! T...

Today is finally the day! My new novel PAPERBOY is officially released into the world.

A sequel to my debut crime thriller SQUEAKY CLEAN (2023), it once again sees luckless and disliked detective Alison ‘Ally’ McCoist get herself embroiled in the murders and machinations of the Glasgow underworld.

This time Chuck Gardner is along for the ride. Chuck runs his own confidential paper shredding business. Gambling debts owed to dangerous and impatient people mean Chuck has been selling on p...

PAPERBOY has been chosen as The Times Crime Book of the Month for March!

This is a massive honour, and I’m so pleased about it! Massive thanks to The Times’ crime reviewer Mark Sanderson.

“Paperboy is a brilliant black comedy that repeatedly makes you squirm. Fizzing with energy and full of heart, it’s one of those books you simply don’t want to end.”

Mark Sanderson, The Times

Back in March 2023, my debut novel SQUEAKY CLEAN was published and selected as Crime Book of the Mont...