Val McDermid

Live like a lesbian: in solidarity. This little episode gives you a brief and desperately incomplete introduction to the happening that was the 25th Lesbian Lives conference. Under the magnificent motto “Solidarity!” so many wonderful talks, workshops, walks and connections took place, I could not even begin to claim an exhaustive summary. I do, however, have recordings from a keynote by the extremely funny and deeply clever Val McDermid and I get to share with you the visceral energy of wordsmith FELISPEAKS. You will also find out about the line-up of queer scholars whose brief interviews I will share with you over the next few weeks. You absolutely must follow @felispeaks on Instagram and @valmcdermic on Twitter and if you have an extra like, why not share it with @queerlitpodcast and @Lena_Mattheis. Most texts, places and people mentioned: Val McDermid https://www.valmcdermid.com/ Felicia Olusanya FELISPEAKS https://www.felispeaks.com/ “The Thing” by FELISPEAKS Philip Sidney Edmund Spenser Plato Kate Millett’s Sexual Politics The Portobello Bookshop @PortyBooks (Twitter and Instagram) bell hooks Olu Jenzen Susan Stryker Tzeli Hadjidimitriou Skala Eressos LINC @LINC_Ireland (Instagram) @LINCwomen (Twitter) Crawford Art Gallery Cork LGBT Archive @corklgbtarchive (Instagram) @CorkLGBTHistory (Twitter) Orla Egan @orlaegan1 (Twitter) Questions I will be reflecting on: 1. What is solidarity? Where can we see it in literature? 2. How can I lead a more solidarity-oriented life? 3. What does ‘lesbian’ mean these days? Which parts of the label do I subscribe to? 4. Where is the line between scholarship and activism? Is there one? 5. How was this the 25th Lesbian Lives conference and it took me 31 years of living to go to my first one?

Writer Val McDermid joins BBC Scotland DJ and writer Vic Galloway for Episode 6 of Whisky Talk: Malts & Music, brought to you by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Val describes her early introduction to whisky, her life and work and how these SMWS drams transported her to different times and places throughout her life. TUNES and DRAMS Cask No. 73.121: Meemaw’s Moonpie / Aztec Camera, Somewhere in my Heart Cask No. 39.209: Apple aperitif / Mungo Jerry, In the Summertime Cask No. 35:269: Banana balaclava / Nitin Sawhney, Nadia Cask No. 36.164: Bittersweet Xmas stocking treat / Alison Moyet, The Coventry Carol Cask No. 10.204: Pineapples ahoy / Mike Vass, Settled in Clay You can watch a video of the conversation on the SMWS YouTube channel here Spotify link can be found here Special Guest: Val McDermid .

In Episode 59 Derek is joined by Val McDermid - a legendary Scottish author. Val who was brought up in a working class family in Kirkcaldy, Fife is often branded the Queen of Crime for the impact she has made through her writing. In this episode the pair talk about Val leaving Scotland to study at St Hilda's College, Oxford - where she was the first student to be admitted from a Scottish state school. Val talks about her involvement with her local football club Raith Rovers and the relationship and support she has from her fellow fans. She emphasises the importance of football clubs in their local community and the sense of solidarity that can bring. On Scottish independence McDermid believes Scots should "be gallus" and Derek points out that despite sometimes Scots lacking self-believe we have a rich history and a lot to be proud of. Val's book Still Life is out in February 2021, her first graphic novel due out in May 2021 and of course this years crime novel in the pipeline set in 1979.

Featuring: Val McDermid, and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Who better to put the world to rights, and to help us celebrate Burns Night, than two Scottish supernovas!? Best-selling author Val McDermid has been publishing acclaimed crime fiction for over 30 years. An international bestseller, her books have been translated into 40 different languages and sold over 16 million copies worldwide. Passionate about writing, and Scotland, in her book My Scotland, she takes readers to the landscapes she has known all her life, and the places where her stories and characters reside. An enthusiastic reader, the First Minister of Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon, views books as one of life’s great pleasures. She regularly shares her recommendations on social media on a Saturday night and is an avid supporter of libraries. She’s also become a regular interviewer of writers at book festivals. She has contributed the foreword to My Scotland. This event was recorded live at 2019's Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival. Podcast music: Joseph McDade.

Stuart and Eamonn are joined again by crime writing superstar, Val McDermid. This week’s discussion includes: the SNP conference and internal divisions, Rupert Murdoch’s new UK television station (News UK TV) and pantomimes in Scotland. Stuart, Eamonn and Val go on to share their personal media recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS : Stuart : ‘The Trials of Oscar Pistorius’ - documentary series on BBC iPlayer - www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p08th3kc/the-trials-of-oscar-pistorius Eamonn : ‘Modern Love’ - Amazon series - (with music by Gary Clark - @GaryClarkMusic on Twitter) www.amazon.co.uk/Modern-Love-Season-1/dp/B07VKT3Q1F Val : ‘Richard Osman’s House of Games’ - BBC gameshow (now on BBC1) - www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b094mjv0 Follow Val on Twitter: @valmcdermid Support the podcast and gain access to bonus content: www.patreon.com/talkmedia Keep up to date with the show on Twitter: @TBLTalkMedia For more information about the podcast, visit: www.thebiglight.com/talkmedia See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this special episode of the Homeless World Cup Podcast, we speak to Scottish author Val McDermid. For Homeless World Cup Day 2020, Val has put together a digital collection of prose and poetry focusing on the themes of football and homelessness: Home Fixtures . The anthology features the work of 24 authors, including Ian Rankin, Jackie Kay, and Nick Hornby, with the proceeds going to the Homeless World Cup Foundation. You can find out more about Home Fixtures on our website , or buy it on Amazon. We talk to Val about the anthology and her love of football. After the interview you will be able to listen to five exceprts from the book read by their authors. List of excerpts: Remember My Name - Craig Robertson Echo - Joelle Taylor The Rules of Playground Football - Chris Brookmyre Na Boots/The Boots - Peter Mackay The Holy Ball - Antti Tuomainen

Featuring: Val McDermid, Oyinkan Braithwaite, Gytha Lodge, Holly Watt and Chris Hammer, The Queen of Crime, Val McDermid, handpicks four hot new talents. Gytha Lodge is a multi-award winning playwright who studied creative writing at UEA. Her debut, She Lies in Wait, is dubbed as the biggest debut of 2019. Contending that title is investigative journalist, Holly Watt, her first novel To the Lions received acclaim as a ‘breathholding rollercoaster of a read’. From Down Under, Scrublands is the powerful compulsive thriller from journalist and foreign correspondent, Chris Hammer. And freelance writer and editor, Oyinkan Braithwaite’s debut, My Sister the Serial Killer, mixes crime, sisterly love and murder, hailed by the New York Times as ‘pulpy, peppery and sinister.’ Witness the riveting rising stars of the genre in the most anticipated panel of the Festival. New Blood With Val McDermid was recorded live at Harrogate International Festivals' Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in July 2019. Oyinkan Braithwaite's book My Sister The Serial Killer has been shortlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel Of The Year 2020. Vote for My Sister The Serial Killer, and discover the full shortlist at www.harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com Podcast music by Joseph McDade.

She’s the heart and soul of the festival – Val McDermid, one of its co-founders is a champion of the crime genre and one of the biggest names in crime writing, selling 16 million copies of her novels worldwide. The queen of psychological thrillers is deeply engaged with Scotland, and its politics and has the accolade of being the only author to sponsor a football team, Raith Rovers. One of her most enduring creations is the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series, which was adapted for TV as Wire in the Blood, and who made a welcome return to the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel Of The Year Award longlist with How The Dead Speak in 2020. Val is joined by fellow Scot, stand-up comic, strictly dancer, writer and actress, Susan Calman. Prepare for a few killer jokes from The Edinburgh Festival sensation who has appeared in QI, Have I Got News For You and Would I Lie To You. Special Guest: Val McDermid In Conversation With Susan Calman was recorded live at Harrogate International Festivals' Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in July 2016. Podcast music by Joseph McDade.

It's where it's at! It's the big one. The one hundredth episode! And what better way to celebrate than with one of the greatest novelists of our time. The queen of crime herself, Val McDermid! We talk about how to reach readers in different ways, being in the Fun Lovin' Crime Writers, hearing voices, and Imagine a Country. Also, Val plays along with Am I the Asshole... Credits: Produced by Twenty Inches of Monkey Productions Music by Stuart Neville

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by author Val McDermid to discuss recent press criticism of the UK government’s handling of COVID-19, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decision to end all cooperation with the UK tabloids and anti-lockdown protests in the US. Eamonn and Val also share their personal media recommendations. Stuart's recommendation : Bloody Scotland session, 'Ian Rankin interviewed by Nicola Sturgeon' (brought to you by The Tartan Noir Show) www.patreon.com/ttns Val : BBC Radio 4 drama series 'Annika Stranded' https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b049fg98/episodes/player Eamonn : 'The Adventures and Misadventures of Peter Beard in Africa' book by Jon Bowermaster https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233847.The_Adventures_and_Misadventures_of_Peter_Beard_in_Africa Support the podcast and gain access to bonus content : www.patreon.com/talkmedia Keep up to date with the show on Twitter : @TBLTalkMedia For more information , visit: www.thebiglight.com/talkmedia See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.