‘Daddy’s Girl’,  a new short story from Karen, appears alongside tales from Christopher Brookmyre, Lin Anderson, Louise Welsh and several other Scots writers in the new anthology ‘Shattered.’ Looking at crime from the victim’s point of view, the book aims to raise funds for Victim Support Scotland. Some really excellent stories, and all for a good cause. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shattered-11-Crimes-Victims/dp/1846971276/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255617731&sr=1-1

Thursday 1 October 7.30 pm – Appearing at Coatbridge Library as part of North Lanarkshire Book Festival

Friday 16 October – UNICEF Fundraising Event , Hillhead Library 7 pm

Monday 26 October – East Dumbarton Reading Group 2pm

Saturday 31 October – Taking part in BBC’s My Story Roadshow at the Mitchell Library

Thursday 19 November – Cardonald Library event 6.30 pm

Thursday 26 November – Clarkston Library, event to raise awareness of women’s issues & violence against women

Wednesday 2 December – Pollokshields Library Reading Group

Karen has just signed a new, two-book deal with current publishers Hodder & Stoughton, for her third and fourth novels about the police. The third, called ‘Shadowplay’ is due for publication in May 2010, while the fourth should be out the year after (if she ever finishes writing it…)

Karen has been involved in an international arts project, launched this summer at the Venice Bienniale, where artists from around the world make video captures of life in various cities. Click on the link below, then select from the list of cities to see the Glasgow moment of glory!

http://www.cityoneminutes.org/#/glasgow/10

Best New Scottish Writer

Karen has won Best New Scottish Writer at the 2009 Scottish Variety Awards. A huge thanks to everyone who supported her by voting.

Pictured clutching her award (!)  Karen said: ‘I’m delighted to have won this . When you’re starting out as a writer, it’s really uplifting to be recognised as someone who may have potential for the future. It’s also especially rewarding as the whole Variety Awards event was geared to support the Children’s Hospice Association in Scotland, which is a fantastic cause.’