Vicki Jarrett

I'm a novelist and short story writer and live and work in my native Edinburgh, dividing my time between writing and teaching English and creative writing. Nothing is Heavy, my first novel, was shortlisted for the Saltire Society Scottish First Book of the Year Award in 2013. My collection of short stories, The Way Out, was published by Freight Books and was longlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award 2015, the Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize 2015, and the Edge Hill Short Story Prize 2016. A new novel, Always North, is coming out with Unsung Stories in autumn 2019.

Where my first novel and short story collection are mostly set in contemporary urban environments, Always North ventures into speculative science fiction territory. I'm interested in how ordinary people survive and attempt to make sense of their lives in today's complex world. Despite the serious nature of the questions I seek to explore, there is often a vein of humour throughout my writing.

I have appeared at events and festivals regularly since 2012 and am available for readings, workshops, residencies and chairing events. I am happy to work with teens or adults, either readers or developing writers. (Photo credit: Chris Scott)