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Iain Kelly

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Contact: [email protected]
Local authority: South Lanarkshire
Languages: English, Scots
Author type: Writer
Iain Kelly's headshot

I am a writer born and raised in Glasgow and now based in East Kilbride. 

I have experience both in self-publishing and traditionally published novels, across different genres. I write in English, and feature Scots language, and my books are set across Scotland.

My first 3 novels, The State Trilogy, were dystopian thrillers set in a near future Scotland. These were followed by 2 standalone books: The Barra Boy is a coming-of-age story set in the Western Isles and All We Cannot Leave Behind, a historical thriller set in Edinburgh in 1920. Most recently I have written the first two books in a crime series set in Glasgow – Full Sun and Hostile City.

I graduated from Glasgow University in English Literature and Film & TV Studies. I work as a freelance television editor, after spending 15+ years working for the BBC. As well as novels, I have written for the screen.

I have taken part in a number of author events in bookshops, libraries, book groups, panel events and literary festivals, as well as hosting author events and appearing at multi-author events such as Noir at the Bar.

Websites featuring the author

Local authorities will visit

Aberdeen City; Aberdeenshire; Angus; Argyll and Bute; Clackmannanshire; Dumfries and Galloway; Dundee; East Ayrshire; East Dunbartonshire; East Lothian; East Renfrewshire; Edinburgh City; Falkirk; Fife; Glasgow City; Highland; Inverclyde; Midlothian; Moray; Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles); North Ayrshire; North Lanarkshire; Orkney Islands; Perth and Kinross; Renfrewshire; Scottish Borders; Shetland; South Ayrshire; South Lanarkshire; Stirling; West Dunbartonshire; West Lothian

Events will deliver

Bibliotherapy; Chairing events; Mentoring; Panel event; Reading; Talk

Audience will work with

Adult learners; Care-experienced people; Carers; English as an additional language (EAL); Intergenerational learning; Outdoor learning; Adults with additional support needs; People experiencing mental health problems; Prisoners & young offenders; Reluctant readers; Vulnerable young people (under 18); Vulnerable adults; Vulnerable older people; Young people in the community (e.g. Youth clubs, Guides, Scouts); Young people with additional support needs (under 18) (ASN/SEN)

Topics of work

Adventure; Childhood; Class & society; Contemporary fiction; Crime fiction; Editing & editing your own work; Family; Historical fiction; Island communities; Mystery & thriller; Politics; Publishing & getting published; Rural communities; Science fiction; Self-publishing & independent publishing; Urban communities

Age groups published for

Teens; Adults

Age groups will work with

15-18; 18+

Audience size

0-10; 11-30; 31-100; 100-500; 500+