Join us at The Harbour Chapel in Dunbar on Monday, 25th August, at 7.30 pm, when Elspeth Wilson, author of These Mortal Bodies, will be in conversation with Heather Darwent, author of The Things We Do To Our Friends and A Sharp Scratch.
The event will include a Q&A and audience questions, followed by a book signing.
Order a copy of either These Mortal Bodies by Elspeth Wilson (RRP £16.99) or A Sharp Scratch, by Heather Darwent (RRP £16.99) via our website for free entrance to the event.
About These Mortal Bodies:
She wasn't born into their world. But she'll do anything to belong.
Leaving behind her childhood in coastal Scotland, Ivy Graveson arrives at an all-girls college at a prestigious university and throws herself into the deep end of life on campus. Though her fellow students all seem to come from money and to have known each other their whole lives, outsider Ivy is determined to belong.
She embraces the world of secret societies, and as she discovers the legacy of her college, the parallels between its past and her present become striking. Because however hard she tries to ignore it, Ivy has always felt drawn to – and terrified of – the bodies of water that surround her. In just one life-changing year in these hallowed halls, Ivy will have to decide how much sisterhood means to her and how far she’ll go to become the person she was destined to be.
A richly atmospheric campus novel with neurodivergent representation, perfect for fans of The Secret History and dark academia, These Mortal Bodies is an intoxicating story of obsession, infatuation and toxic friendship in the world of the elites, where rules are made to be broken.
Hardback, 384 pages, published 17th July 2025.
About A Sharp Scratch:
A timely, gripping novel about the dark underbelly of wellness culture.
We can fix you. It's a promise that Betsy has heard far too many times. From the child psychologist, from her husband, and from the wellness trends that scream at her from her screen.
So far, it's been a lie. But this time, she believes it. Because Betsy has been offered a place at Carn - a luxurious, unorthodox retreat, where healing really is possible.
At Carn, she discovers that her imperfections make her unique, not weak. She isn't broken, just special. All Betsy has to do is follow the rules .
Hardback, 320 pages, publishing on the 29th May 2025.
EVENT DETAILS:
Please note that copies will be available for delivery/collection from the bookshop from around publication day, 17th July 2025.
Alternatively, they can be collected from the signing table on the night of the event.
Please select 'local pick up' at the checkout if you would like to collect your copy/copies from Night Owl Books, or at the event. Alternatively, please select the 'ship' option and we'll post your book(s) to you.
Event times:
The Harbour Chapel bar will be open for attendees from 6.30 pm.
Event: 19:30 - 20:30, followed by signing.
Doors: 19:15.
Venue information:
The Harbour Chapel, 10 Victoria Street, Dunbar, EH42 1ET.
FAQs
- Will I be sent an e-ticket before the event?
Please note that we will have a guest list on the door on the night of the event, and you will not be sent an e-ticket for it - simply let us know your name/the name of the person who booked your ticket when you arrive, and we'll check you in!
- Can I collect my book at the event?
Copies can be collected on the night at the event, or alternatively if you would like to read the book before attending copies can be collected or posted to you in advance.
A note on Covid precautions: if you feel unwell on the day, please err on the side of caution, and please take a lateral flow test before attending, if you can.
About the authors:
Elspeth Wilson is a Scottish writer and poet whose work has been supported by Creative Scotland and shortlisted for Penguin's WriteNow scheme and Canongate's Nan Shepherd prize. These Mortal Bodies is her first novel. When she's not writing, she can usually be found in or near the sea or spending time with her small rescue dog who unfortunately hates water.
Heather Darwent is based just outside of Edinburgh, the setting for her Sunday Times bestselling debut, The Things We Do To Our Friends. Originally from Yorkshire, she came to Scotland to study at the University of Edinburgh and ended up never quite leaving. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading chaotic non-fiction about Silicon Valley and swimming in the sea . . . or being unbearably boring in conversation about swimming in the sea. A Sharp Scratch is her second novel.
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