Last week, in between visiting some lovely bookshops ahead of the publication of my new novel HOSTILE CITY, I had an author event with a difference, and a visit to a place I never thought my writing would ever take me – Scotland’s oldest and largest prison, HMP Barlinnie, on the outskirts of Glasgow.

I was invited by the Scottish Prison Service to give a talk about my writing and books in the prison’s Resource Hub, which includes a library and a Communications area where prisoners create an inhouse podcast, radio station and have recently started creating visual media too – so as well as my writing, I was able to talk to the prisoners about my experience from my day job in TV editing. Thanks to David Sweeten from Glasgow Life / Mitchell Library for coming along to host the event.

As part of the event, I was given a tour of the prison and was surprised by the scale of the place, the hard work that goes into the running of it by the prison service, and also the opportunity that exists there for prisoners to make a difference to their lives if they want to.

Obviously, I was kept away from the more dangerous prisoners, but those that I did meet were engaged, curious and seemed willing to learn. I hope I managed to impart some sort of advice to them, and help inspire them to see a better future for themselves. All author events are special, but this one really did feel like an important one that hopefully has a positive impact and makes a difference.