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The Secret Book Swap

The Secret Book Swap Newsletter September 2026 📚🤫

Published 20 days ago • 2 min read

Hello!

Welcome to your September newsletter where you can find what we swapped and talked about last month, meet our October guest writers and catch up on guest writer news.

Thanks to everyone who came along last month - hope to see you again in October!

Laura

Mairi Kidd

Wednesday 7th October

WellNest Collective,

Currie

Mairi Kidd heads Moat Brae, the Birthplace of Peter Pan and Scotland’s National Centre for Children’s Books. She was MD of a children’s publishing house working to open up the written word to children and young people with dyslexia, CEO of the National Centre for Children’s Books, and Head of Literature at Creative Scotland.

Mairi is the author of one of my favourite recent reads, The Specimens, which I swapped at North Berwick. We will be talking about this and her many other brilliant stories involving Scottish women, fairytales, myths and legends including her latest book, Newes of Witches.

Angela C Nurse

Friday 9th September

St Columba's Bookshop, North Berwick

Angela C Nurse is the author of the Rowan McFarlane Detective Series and the DI Ravenscroft & Professor Laing Thrillers.

A lifelong storyteller, Angela writes crime fiction featuring strong female protagonists, intricate mysteries and unexpected twists, exploring the complexities of human nature while keeping readers guessing until the final page.

Her work has been recognised with a nomination for Best Author at the Crime Fiction Lovers Awards. She has also twice been a Top 100 finalist in the Black Spring Press Opening Gambit Competition, judged by Lee Child and Val McDermid.

The Imagination Library

This month we talked about Dolly Parton and her amazing Imagination Library.

Here's where you can find out more about what they do and the books they share to so many around the world.

Climbing for Leuchie House

Emma from our North Berwick group is climbing the mast of the Discovery to raise funds for Leuchie House in East Lothian then zip lining down!

Madness! But madness that will help a brilliant North Berwick charity.

Literary Escape Festival

Laura Ruddock from our Currie group runs the Literary Escape Festival which has been touring the UK.
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It's back in Edinburgh this November with over 40 stands!
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I'll be there too, interviewing four authors (including 2 former guests!)

Katie Ailes

Guest poet, Katie Ailes from Loud Poets is running a beginner poetry workshop series at Gorebridge Beacon.
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Alex Brown

Alex's third book in his Hit Me series is now out and his book launch included performances from his TV script adaptation by actors Angus MacFadyen and David O'Hara. It was quite the night!
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Angie Spotto

Angie has recently started a podcast with her sister where they discuss cosy books.
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It's called, Season of Cosy Witch Podcast
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Follow the podcast on Instagram @seasonofthecosywitch

Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Lothian EH14
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