At first I wasn’t sure about whether being funny was appropriate, but I think it’s important because there’s a poisonous narrative of trans people and the wider community as militant, humourless, thought-policing snowflakes when the reality is completely different. The LGBT+ people I know are some of the daftest, least precious and funniest people I’ve ever met. I’m delighted, excited and a little bit frightened to have been invited into the 404 Ink family by Heather and Laura: I love their attitude, their bravery, their sense of humour and of course, their books,” says Carrie. “For me, being published by 404 Ink is like a Joy Division fan signing to Factory Records, if Factory was still going and everybody wasn’t incompetent or off their faces on drugs. 404 Ink have published some of my very favourite things, and I can’t think of anybody better to help me share this story and show you what it’s like to be one the people you constantly hear about but never from.” When I’m looking for a writer who can explain technical subjects in an entertaining and accessible manner, and get their copy in on time, every time, I call Carrie. If you’re looking for a writer you can rely on, you should call her, too” From the outside, many people may have thought you had what you call ‘the perfect life’ which brought with it a certain status and privilege. How difficult was it to maintain that ideal, and how do you feel now about the societal pressure to live up to it? Culture is a constant thread within your memoir, whether influences, crushes, favourite bands – who are some cultural figures who had the biggest impact on you and why?

Damian Barr’s Literary Salon tempts the world’s best writers to read exclusively from their latest greatest works and share their own personal stories. Star guests include Jojo Moyes, John Waters, Yaa Gyasi, Mary Beard, Diana Athill and Louis de Bernières—all in front of a live audience at leading glamorous locations world-wide. Our London home is the Savoy. Suave salonnière Damian Barr is your host. Throughout the book, Carrie discusses and highlights the non-linear process of transition and how what we feel and allow ourselves to feel is shaped by our environment and the information we have. I think this recognition is really powerful as it really highlights that how we feel can evolve as our environment changes and as our knowledge about something increases. A reminder that visibility truly does matter and can be life changing. Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne by Katherine Rundell Audiobook: Fiction BOOK OF THE YEAR There is joy in the book – in the writing itself – and a self-deprecating sense of humour throughout. What was the writing process like? Are there any similarities with your other work? It’s been really interesting and a little bit strange, especially with some of the more difficult memories: you’re taking things that used to cause you great shame and sometimes pain and putting them out there for others to see and potentially judge you for. There were definitely times when I had to ask myself, ‘are you really sure you want people to know about this?’A Better Day: Your Positive Mental Health Handbook by Dr Alex George and illustrated by The Boy Fitz Hammond I think being Scottish means I’m just naturally drawn to that – we Scots are brilliant at mining comedy from pretty dark seams sometimes, and we’ll tell the most horrendously embarrassing stories to make our friends laugh. I’ve done that all my life, so it was natural to do it in the book too. There’s more Scottish interest with Douglas Stuart’s Young Mungo(Picador) being shortlisted for Fiction Book of the Year and Audiobook of the Year. Edinburgh resident Maggie O’Farrell’s The Marriage Portrait (Tinder Press) is also shortlisted for Fiction Book of the Year. I prefer writing to standing up in front of lots of people, but in the last few years I’ve discovered the joy of book festivals and book groups, delivered several university lectures about internet regulation and been one of the speakers at an event about LGBT+ healthcare. I’ve also appeared on some podcasts and online radio shows to help raise awareness of mental health issues. Congratulations to 404 Ink and Canongate Books who have books shortlisted for the 2023 British Book Awards:

Did you have any expectations as to how Carrie Kills A Man would be received, and how do those expectations compare to the reality? I think we’re all very good at remembering negative experiences and feelings – I still cringe occasionally about unsuccessfully asking Tina Walker to dance with me, and that was when I was in Primary 4 – so that didn’t really require much effort. But I did keep a simple diary from when I came out, and that was really invaluable to ensure I got the chronology and detail right. Your brain isn’t always the most reliable narrator. carrieplaysguitar takes us on her journey to self acceptance, to freeing herself and letting the world see her for her fabulous self! The book has sadness of course but what it also has is pure joy. Joy through music, video games, books, family, fashion faux pas, mishaps and freedom. At times I was angry of course. Angry at the treatment of the trans community in society (JEEZO WHY DO PEOPLE THINK IT’S OK TO HURL ABUSE AT SOMEONE WALKING DOWN THE STREET!?), statistics surrounding waiting times for healthcare and so much more. This book not only entertains but educates in a very accessible way. That’s important if we want people to understand eh? 😍 You Don’t Know What War Is: The Diary of a Young Girl From Ukraine by Yeva Skalietska Children’s Illustrated BOOK OF THE YEAR supported by LoveReading4Kids I’m the singer/guitarist in a band called HAVR. I’m the main songwriter and take care of the programming, production and distribution.Queen Elizabeth: (Volume 88) Little People, BIG DREAMS by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and illustrator Melissa Lee Johnson Books are a team effort, and I am part of an amazing team that includes Heather and Laura, my publishers, and Kirstyn, my brilliant editor. Independent publishers are the best, not just because they’re great to work with but because you can sleep with a clear conscience. I was a regular contributor to BBC Radio Scotland from 2003 to 2023, spending the last five of those years doing Tech Talk every Monday on Mornings With Kaye Adams. For more than a decade prior to that I was the “technology guru” for MacAulay & Co with comedian Fred MacAulay. I’ve appeared frequently on shows across the BBC network. I can write for radio as well as appear on it: I co-wrote the script for a six-part Radio 2 documentary series presented by Kate Thornton. It’s an incredibly honest and lovingly detailed book, which makes the story all the more powerful. Do you think it’s in those personal recollections that the story emerges?