Meet our guests…
Every time we meet, we are lucky enough to be joined by a local writer or someone connected with the world of books, reading and stories.
Our guests not only join in with our swap but talk with us about their own story as well as their work. We are often also treated to a reading which is just about the most perfect way to round off our evenings.
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Alex is a writer and poet based in Edinburgh, best known for his Library Cat series, inspired by the adventures of a philosophical feline. The original Library Cat became an award-winning international success, translated into several languages, and was followed by The Ghost Cat and The Ship’s Cat.
Alongside fiction, his poetry and essays have appeared in The London Magazine, New Writing Scotland, and Gutter, and his academic study Larkin’s Travelling Spirit was published by Palgrave Macmillan. Alex also works with Capital Theatres as Creative Projects Coordinator and editor of DementiArts magazine.
Blog: Read about the time Alex went undercover at The Secret Book Swap
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Gillian Lee Gibson began her career with two romantic comedies. She is currently working on darker tales. A psychological thriller, Shore Gulls, and a crime thriller, Dark Angel.
Gillian has a background in teaching Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies. She currently works as a Psychologist. Gillian brings her knowledge and experience of these areas to her work to produce writing that demonstrates a deep understanding of human nature.
Instagram
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Jenny Brown is a writer, coach, and primary school teacher with a passion for celebrating the little moments that shape childhood.
Her debut book, Words of Wisdom, was created to help children capture their primary school journey—recording achievements, encouragement, and positive memories they’ll treasure for years to come.
Jenny believes this book will make a difference not only in a child’s life today, but also when they look back as adults and reflect on the words of support that shaped them.
Her mission is to help children carry forward the best parts of their school days, sharing positive words of wisdom along the way.
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Mary Turner Thomson is an Edinburgh-based international bestselling author whose true-crime memoirs, The Bigamist and The Psychopath, recount her experience of manipulation and abuse by a psychopathic con artist. Selling over 200,000 copies and topping Kindle charts worldwide, her books have helped readers recognise and navigate toxic relationships.
Featured in seven documentaries, including STV Player’s The Other Mrs Jordan, Mary has toured widely and recently released her debut novel, Hindsight—a story of female resilience linked across two timelines through regression hypnosis. Through her not-for-profit, The Book Whisperers, she helps others find empowerment by sharing their stories.
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Michelle Hogg is an author, whose writing purpose relates to healing and starting again after trauma. She has written and published two humorous rhyming story books for children and has visited with local schools to do live reading sessions and creative worksheets.
Her book, “Finding Life’s Meaning in Your Mum Pants”, which she says is ‘fiction mixed with reality’ is a humorous take on parenthood, following the main character as they go through life as a single parent whilst trying to find their own life purpose.
Michelle’s vision is to connect with others through her writing and stories to uplift others through the power of storytelling.
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Writing a book was never on Naydene’s' to-do’ list. In her words, she did not have a story to tell.
This all changed in 2023, when Naydene discovered an ex-partner had been sharing intimate images of her online for 14 years, without her knowledge or permission.
Whilst the perpetrator was charged, throughout the investigation and trial, Naydene realised how broken the judiciary is and, in her own words, how the police continue to fail victims of crime.
The case against the perpetrator was found ‘Not Proven’. Following this ruling, Naydene has discovered Cybercrime had stated a vital piece of evidence no longer existed but in fact, that the evidence was and still is in existence.
Cybercrime got it wrong, and a sex offender walked free.
Naydene does not want anyone else to endure what she has. She wants to help change the judiciary and help other crime survivors.
She has much to do, from education to challenging laws and beyond. It is all one step at a time, and writing this book is step one to raise awareness and hopefully starting to make change happen.
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Caroline Young is an author from Edinburgh who specialises in film, fashion and pop culture. Her works include Single & Psycho, The Fabulous Frances Farquharson, Fashioning Hitchcock, and Crazy Old Ladies: The Story of Hag Horror, which was nominated for both the Rondo Hatton Award and Richard Wall Memorial Award.
Instagram
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Sarah is an award winning actor and writer who loves creating content from spoken word to sketches and everything in between.
She has appeared in Outlander and Shetland, is one of the creative forces behind the sell out Fringe Show She Burns which explores the life of Rabbie Burns through the women in his life, and she is the poet behind Hags.
'Hags' is a powerful spoken word piece, which challenges the language and stereotypes society tends to associate with women as they grow older. Featured on BBC Social, Hags was also an inspiration for the creator behind the recent exhibition 'Hag' at Fife Contemporary.
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Allison Meldrum has been writing since a very special English teacher with a pocket watch and three-piece suit told her that she might be quite good at it.
Previously a newspaper and magazine journalist, Allison’s debut novel ‘The Life I Owe Her’ examined two themes very close to her heart: Parenthood and Friendship.
Keep Me Safe, set in Kirkcaldy is a psychological thriller where, investigative journalist, Maggie Shields, unravels a web of crime, corporate corruption, and family betrayal.
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Chris was born in Edinburgh but has lived in various villages, towns and cities around Scotland as well as a stint abroad. She has finally settled down, at least for now, in the beautiful coastal town of North Berwick.
Reading voraciously throughout her life Chris embraces the joy of storytelling and the impact it can have on us mere mortals!
There is nothing more pleasurable than losing yourself in a good book.
And when not immersed in a book you will probably find Chris immersed in the sea instead or looking after her bees.
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Erica describes herself as an “author of things a little bit weird, a little bit true”—and that’s exactly what you’ll find in her writing.
With a background in Philosophy and Psychology, she brings a thoughtful, curious lens to big questions about identity, perception, and what really makes us who we are.
Her novels, including Reassembling Kate, A Lobster Tale, and Notes from a Physicist Lost in Time and Space, blend emotional depth with just the right amount of the surreal.
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Dr. Katie Ailes is a poet, educator, and researcher based in Edinburgh. As Education and Access Director for I Am Loud CIC, she has created hundreds of spoken word projects and workshops since 2015.
Her poetry has been featured across the UK and internationally; Outwith was listed among the Scottish Poetry Library’s ‘Best Scottish Poems’ (2019), and she was Glastonbury Festival’s Poet in Residence in 2023.
Her PhD (2020) examined authenticity in UK spoken word, and she continues to explore its craft through teaching and performance.
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Paula is the best selling romance novelist behind the best selling ‘sliding doors’ type One More Try series.
“If I found a good series and got deeply involved with the characters and story… I suspect that’s where the compulsion to write came from. If I watched a TV series or read a book, I would often think of what could have been different for the characters or an alternative ending which was all my own. This is ultimately what inspired me to start writing.”
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Lea is far from a typical author; “wordsmith” suits her better. A versatile creative, she moves fluidly between roles as children’s author, novelist, playwright, and poet.
By day, Lea works as an editor, ghostwriter, and writing coach; by night, she leads creative writing groups and occasional storytelling workshops or retreats.
A professional storyteller for over 20 years, she is deeply fascinated by the power of words, their sound, impact, and the weight they hold in both personal and collective consciousness.
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Lorraine Mc Donnell is an accomplished entrepreneur, International Bestselling Author, Keynote Speaker, and Well-Being Consultant dedicated to empowering individuals to discover their inner courage.
Lorraine firmly believes that we all possess the power to manifest positive thoughts, conquer our fears, and step beyond our comfort zones.
Her own wellbeing journey has instilled in her a deep sense of adaptability and resilience.
She is passionate about guiding others to uncover their courage, enabling them to pursue their dreams and aspirations in all areas of life.
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This might have been Mamie’s first novel but it was by no means her first book. With 3 memoirs written for clients and two non-fiction books following a career in the civil service and as a teacher, before publishing her first work of fiction, Mr Murdoch is Dead.
A crime fiction novel, set in Ayrshire, Mr Murdoch is dead is the first in a series, introducing Mamie’s lead character, DI Kim Berry and begins with the immortal words fit for all Scottish murder mysteries, “there’s been a murder”.
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Stella Maris Mongodi began her earthly journey in Italy, where she explored a passion for art under the tutelage of such masters as Carll Cneut and Stefano Moroni. She dabbled with oils and wondered at watercolors, before settling on digital illustrations, steeped in “traditional media flavor”, and sporting a whimsically dreamy, feathery, playful feel, befitting her fairy spirit.
Eventually, Stella wandered off to the British Isles in search of kindred fairies. Finally stumbling upon them in the magical Scottish lands, she decided to put down roots among her own kind.
Between creating engaging imagery to delight young readers, Stella loves to explore her own inner child, zooming about on roller skates, sewing colourful skirts, and befriending her favourite creatures…owls, mice, and an occasional squirrel.
“Being a guest at the book swap was an absolute honour. I was made to feel so welcome and Laura’s questions about my process and work were so thoughtful and inspired. I loved being a part of such a truly special event and would encourage anyone to jump at the chance to be involved!”
- Sarah MacGillivray
Want to join us as a guest writer?
Get in touch with us at hello@happybarnet.com
Take a look at our Guest Writer info pack here.
“I’ve been a guest author at several Secret Book Swaps now, and every one has been such a warm, well-organised experience. Laura is a brilliant host — it genuinely feels like chatting with friends in someone’s living room.
We have an informal chat about my writing journey, a short reading, and a relaxed Q&A, and I always leave feeling supported and inspired. I’ve also made some wonderful connections — new readers, fellow authors, and even the organiser of a book-stall event I attended last week.
It’s a fantastic, friendly way to network without even realising you’re doing it. I recommend it to every author, whether you’re brand new or a seasoned pro.”
- Paula C Russell
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