Kristie De Garis
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kristiedegaris.bsky.social
Kristie De Garis
@kristiedegaris.bsky.social
3.4K followers 1.4K following 1.4K posts
Writer // Photographer // Drystone Waller
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kristiedegaris.bsky.social
Of course.

Some are easier to mitigate than others. In a bad virus season or during a Covid wave, it is smart policy to promote mask wearing within medical facilities, busy public spaces, stay at home when ill etc. And maybe we shouldn't be telling kids to go to school with Glandular Fever etc?
A Public Health Agency chart titled 'Do I need to keep my child off school?' listing common childhood illnesses and the required time off. Examples: chicken pox (5 days from rash and until crusted), diarrhoea/vomiting (48 hours after last episode), measles (4 days from rash), mumps (5 days from swelling), scarlet fever (24 hours after antibiotics), whooping cough (48 hours after antibiotics). Many conditions like conjunctivitis, head lice, hand, foot & mouth, and slapped cheek say no need to stay off if the child is well.
November 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
Next week I'll be seven years sober.

#Sobriety #Addiction #Writing #Reading #Scotland
People often say they don't see me as an alcoholic I was never stumbling through back alleys, gin and piss soaked, passing out in the park. Instead I drank £18 bottles of Rioja and listened to Joni Mitchell. For many that seems pretty civilised. Normalised. I drank to stop the spinning wheels of my mind. I drank to forget who I had been, who I was, and the person I desperately wanted to become. Tipsy was never sufficient. I always had one eye on the bottle, dreading that final, half-glass pour. Over time, one bottle turned into two. I wanted to feel nothing but the room spinning and gravity pinning my body to the bed. I lived for those moments of insensibility, preferring the powerlessness I’d chosen over that which felt forced upon me. There was not a minute of my existence that I didn’t hate myself. Next week I will be 7 years sober. And yet, there's not a week that goes by that I don't think about alcohol. I want my fingertips in cold condensation, the crisp smell of Pinot Grigio, the satisfaction of that first sip. A pint of Black Isle Brewery Yellowhammer, weighty in my hand, zingy grapefruit and bitter hops on my tongue. But more honestly, I want to be drunk. Gone. I miss the oblivion. You see, booze is the fastest getaway car for a brain on the run. Meditation does fuck all (for me). Yoga gets me nowhere near where I want to go. Exercise requires effort. Buying things online is ruined by the very fact of delivery. I've tried binge eating, but the impact, on all but my digestive system, has been paltry. I remember getting drunk at age 15. For the first time in my life, I felt free from myself. Less of a shedding, more of an abandonment. And I loved it. I think some part of me will always want that escape. So, I wake up every day and I choose sobriety. Just before our love got lost you said "I am as constant as a northern star" And I said, "Constantly in the darkness Where's that at? If you want me I'll be in the bar" - Joni Mitchell - Case Of You
November 23, 2025 at 7:55 PM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
Had a brilliant time with the wonderful Kat Hill at our Aye Write event last night. Thanks to Helen Cross for being an excellent chair.

Hugely looking forward to Creative Conversation at UofGlasgow on December 1st which will be my final event of the year.
Two women sit at a black table during a book signing event. The woman on the left has shoulder-length dark hair, glasses, and wears a chunky brown jumper while holding a copy of the book Bothy by Kat Hill. The woman on the right has short dark hair, is wearing a denim shirt and a white 3M mask, and is holding a copy of the book Drystone – A Life Rebuilt by Kristie De Garis. A “BOOK SIGNING” sign hangs on the wall behind them. I also like to explain why I continue to wear a mask in public spaces. The more we learn about viruses the clearer it is that they are not innocuous visitors. They can cause real and lasting damage to many. Masking is an easy and accessible way to protect oneself and others. I remember what it is like to be ill with the flu, bedbound for a week or more. Sore throats that kept me up all night. Worrying over kids with high fevers. Missing school and work, slogging through the post viral struggle. I do not miss any of it in the slightest. And of course viruses can be especially risky for those who are young, elderly and/or clinically vulnerable. I myself am chronically ill and my daughter is too. I feel we have a responsibility to keep society accessible for *all*. Clean air, masking, testing, staying home when symptomatic and educating ourselves are easy ways to achieve this <3 <3 <3
November 14, 2025 at 12:57 PM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
Congrats to Tamara Fulcher on winning the Anne Brown Essay prize 2025! Very much looking forward to reading her essay.

Here are a couple of photos of Wigtown in the sun and a photo of me that I forced my ex-husband (and best pal) to take. The 'SV' stands for Svea Vikander of course.
Close-up view through a dusty blue-paned window, showing wooden bookshelves filled with second-hand books, including paperbacks by Andy McNab, James Patterson, and various thrillers and novels. Woman with short dark and grey hair wearing a teal-blue blouse and dark jeans, standing by a stone wall beside a river. A weathered red phone box is on the right, with trees and fields in the background. Concrete wall with a street sign reading “Low Vennel.” At the base of the wall, rows of plants grow from colourful old wellington boots and containers, next to a metal stand with hanging planters.
September 28, 2025 at 4:09 PM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
Scrubbed-up Kristie - a rare sighting. Iron at the Air BnB wasn't working properly so hopefully the (considerable) heat from my tits will get the creases out of the shirt before we arrive at Anne Brown Essay Prize ceremony ;)
A woman with short dark hair streaked with grey, wearing a teal-blue button-up blouse, takes a selfie indoors. She has a small nose stud and silver star-shaped earrings. Behind her is a tripod floor lamp, a shelf with books, and a closed white door.
September 28, 2025 at 8:13 AM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
I will never get over the generosity of women. In my life. In books. And I loved this one.

#Books #Scotland #Writing
Book cover of A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin. The cover features a close-up photograph of a woman with short, tousled brown hair, wearing turquoise drop earrings and subtle makeup, looking slightly to the side. The author’s name is printed in bold pink text at the top, with the title in black beneath it.
September 17, 2025 at 8:17 AM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
My mental health has been trash. I got my hair cut really short (wee undercut at back). Hopefully the two are unrelated.
A colour photograph of woman lying on a bed, wearing a burgundy long-sleeve top. She has short dark hair with a streak of grey at the front and is resting her head on a beige pillow, looking at the camera with a calm, relaxed expression.
September 16, 2025 at 1:37 PM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
I want to pump these reviews for my book 'Drystone - A Life Rebuilt' into my veins!!!

(review in alt text)

#Books #Scotland #UK #Writing #Reading
A screenshot of an amazon.com review. The text says... 5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2025 Kristie de Garis’ debut book—it’s memoir but it’s also poetry, and riveting as any thriller—is a tour de force. It’s a story of crisis and betrayal but it’s also like finally having coffee with your former women’s studies professor who just lets loose and tells you what her life is *really* like. Warm, funny, scandalous.
August 25, 2025 at 10:23 AM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
If your book club is #Reading my book 'Drystone – A Life Rebuilt', I’d be glad to join you online for an hour’s Q&A. No fee, just a chance to talk about the book and your questions.

If this is something that would work for your club, drop me a message/email.

#UK #Books #Scotland #Writing #Author
stacks of the memoir Drystone – A Life Rebuilt by Kristie De Garis, arranged in a grid pattern. The cover features abstract, colourful stone shapes in black, gold, green, purple, and blue, with the title text layered across them.
August 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
Come see me be charming and interesting af on the 27th August at 7pm, St Peter's Church, Linlithgow. Tickets £8.

45 minutes of Q&A, then audience questions (questions I won't be answering are below ;) and finally an opportunity to buy a book and have it signed.

#Scotland #Event #Books #Reading
Promotional poster for a book event. The top section has text on a cream background: “Still some tickets for this event left. Sally from @maddingcrowdbooks will be asking me some questions, then a chance for audience members to ask questions, and finally, an opportunity to buy a copy of the book and have it signed. Questions I won’t be answering include… What’s your favourite part of a drystone wall? The answer is snecks, and everyone already knows that. I am famously a sneck lover. Who would win in a fight, you or 1000 tiny Nicola Sturgeons? I’m sick of being asked this, tbh. Who is your nemesis? That is not prudent to reveal. How much of your annual income is devoted to revenge? I’m quite traditional when it comes to discussing finances in public.” The lower section has a graphic with stylised rock shapes in orange, purple, and beige, and the logo for Madding Crowd. Text reads: “In Conversation With Kristie De Garis Drystone: A Life Rebuilt Wednesday 27th of August, 7pm St Peter’s Church, Linlithgow Tickets £8.” Background gradient is soft pink to lavender.
August 16, 2025 at 12:27 PM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
I will never get over the fact that I have written a book that people think is really good. It will never get old and I will never stop thinking this is the coolest thing in the world.

Thank you, thank you!

#Books #Book #Scotland #Writing #Reading
Amazon UK customer review by E. Soldat, dated 10 August 2025, titled “A compellingly written and moving account of forging a place in the world” with a 5-star rating. The reviewer describes the memoir as gripping, moving, and told in juxtaposed fragments that are distressing, tender, and hopeful. They say it vividly conveys the destabilising tumult of the author's ordeals and the hard work of finding stability, and that it was hard to put down. They note the book’s insights on ADHD and its resonance for anyone who has felt ostracised or alienated. They praise the absence of “silver bullets” or neat solutions, and highlight the meaningful portrayal of the quiet power of physically demanding craft to forge connections to the world.
August 14, 2025 at 1:33 PM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
Just when I thought I couldn't love booksellers more...

😍 🙏🏿 🎇

#Book #Books #Scotland #UK #Writing #WritingCommunity #Reading
A screenshot of a Waterstones Bookseller Review for the hardback edition of Drystone – A Life Rebuilt by Kristie de Garis. The review is titled “Her words are poetry in motion” and praises the book as “not to be rushed” with “some of the most outstanding prose I have ever read.” It notes how drystone walls serve as both a metaphor and a source of healing for the author. The review is dated 12th August 2025 and rated five stars by a reviewer named “Too many books not enough time.”
August 13, 2025 at 7:37 PM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
No longer just a thought, a proposal, seven messy drafts, a pre-order...

DRYSTONE - A LIFE REBUILT is officially launched!

#Scotland #Books #Writing #WritingCommunity #Book #Nature
Nine front covers of the book Drystone – A Life Rebuilt by Kristie De Garis, arranged in a neat 3x3 grid against a soft pink and white background. The cover features abstract painted stones in black, green, gold, blue, and pink, with the title embedded across them.
August 7, 2025 at 8:30 AM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
Lots of you have been asking how to order my book Drystone - A Life rebuilt outside of the UK.

As we approach the official launch date (tomorrow!) I'm hearing it's already pretty widely available internationally. Now's the time!

#Books #Book #Writing #WritingCommunity #Scotland
Promotional graphic for the memoir Drystone – A Life Rebuilt by Kristie De Garis. The image features multiple quotes praising the book, arranged in a grid over a mustard yellow background. The book cover, which shows abstractly stacked stones with the title overlaid, appears in the centre and twice more alongside quotes. Top quote: “An incredibly powerful debut . . . reflects not only life’s hardest moments, but its tender, deeply human ones too. A life-affirming work” — Rebecca Smith, author of Rural: The Lives of the Working Class Middle left: “Honest, funny, direct and moving” — Books from Scotland Middle right: “Beautifully rendered” — Julie Vuong, The Bookseller Bottom: “Drystone doesn’t pull any punches, it’s shockingly frank but also has the most beautiful literary touch” — Tracey King, author of memoir Learning to Think
August 6, 2025 at 8:30 AM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
I have a piece of writing in The Scotsman Magazine today.

Go check it out, it's really good.

#Scotland #Writing #Books
A double-page spread in The Scotsman Magazine titled "Building a life to last." The article features Kristie De Garis and explores her memoir Drystone – A Life Rebuilt, which reflects on trauma, racism, addiction, and healing through the physical craft of drystone walling. The left page includes a header photo of a drystone bench in a wooded area, captioned: "A drystone bench for Dhanakosa Buddhist Retreat in Balquhidder built by Kristie and Luke De Garis." A large central photograph spans both pages, showing Kristie standing in a green field wearing a denim shirt and jeans. Smaller inset images show her walling and sitting on a dry stone wall. A pull quote in bold reads: "In each place, the stones teach me something new. And I leave something behind." At the bottom, the publication note reads: Drystone – A Life Rebuilt by Kristie De Garis is published by Birlinn, £14.99.
August 2, 2025 at 7:50 AM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
If/when you read my book, will you leave me a review?

I don't expect you to kiss my arse, just be honest and write a few words.

Amazon reviews are influential (I don't make the rules!) and you just need an account, not to have bought it from there. But a review anywhere would be so appreciated.
A woman in a navy work shirt and jeans sits on a partially built drystone wall in a green Scottish glen. Behind her, rolling hills and a mist-covered mountain rise in the distance, with a winding path cutting through the landscape. The scene is lush and overcast, evoking a quiet, grounded atmosphere.
July 26, 2025 at 2:51 PM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
A friend spotted my book Drystone – A Life Rebuilt in Topping & Company, St Andrews.

If you see a copy in the wild or if you’ve picked one up, I’d love to see a photo. It still feels surreal and living a hermit life means I miss a lot of the ‘real’ moments

#Books #WritingCommunity #Scotland #Book
A table display in an independent bookshop featuring new and notable nonfiction titles. In the centre is Drystone – A Life Rebuilt by Kristie De Garis, surrounded by books. A man with a grey backpack browses postcards in the background, and part of a child’s bare foot and pushchair is visible in the bottom right corner.
July 24, 2025 at 11:31 AM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
My first ever, in the wild, reader review.

It's impossible not to feel emotional knowing people are spending this careful time with my words, my life.
A wooden dining table with colourful coasters, a ceramic mug with a bright floral and sun design, and a copy of the book Drystone – A Life Rebuilt by Kristie De Garis. The book is closed and placed neatly on the table. The background shows a cosy room with a log burner and soft furnishings, creating a warm, homely atmosphere. A review about the book above says What a beautiful read. Thank you. So compelling. I've just finished in less than a day. Traumatic in places, devastatingly honest and exposing; humorous too. I loved the almost evangelical drystone description, the in-built parallels and analogies. Everybody, especially men, would learn from this. I'll be re-reading it and it's firmly on my recommendation list.
July 21, 2025 at 4:41 PM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
I don’t know how to talk about Gaza. Not because I have nothing to say, but because what’s happening there has altered something in me so fundamentally, I’m not sure even the language I know fits anymore. So much now feels inadequate or pointless. I don’t know how to relate to a world that permits this, and I don’t think the shift I feel is reversible, and maybe it shouldn’t be.
July 20, 2025 at 8:41 PM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
My book, 'Drystone - A Life Rebuilt' has been selected for The Bookseller’s August nonfiction preview by Caroline Sanderson, one of the most trusted voices in UK publishing!

A lovely vote of confidence for a quiet book, from an indie publisher.

#Books #WritingCommunity #Scotland #Women #Writing
Screenshot of The Bookseller’s online preview of Drystone: A Life Rebuilt by Kristie De Garis. The listing includes the book cover, a short blurb calling it “a striking debut memoir,” and notes that it was previewed by Caroline Sanderson, associate editor of The Bookseller.
July 16, 2025 at 3:50 PM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
How many books do you know that seamlessly weave porn preferences with drystone walling without using the phrase 'hard as a rock' ONE TIME?

Exactly.

Link for UK purchase

uk.bookshop.org/a/15919/9781...

Link for elsewhere

birlinn.co.uk/product/drys...

#Scotland #Books #Writing #Funny #Women
A finished hardback copy of the book Drystone – A Life Rebuilt by Kristie De Garis rests on a stack of natural stones outdoors, surrounded by lush green foliage and bright yellow flowers. The book cover features bold, abstract stone shapes in deep green, blue, gold, and black, each containing a word from the titl
July 15, 2025 at 7:42 PM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
My book Drystone – A Life Rebuilt is out in just 3 weeks. I’ve poured everything into writing it and getting it out into the world as far as I can.

I’d love your help. A share, a preorder, a message to someone who might love it, it all makes a difference.

Info and links below.

#Scotland #Books
Black and white photo of a woman sitting on a drystone wall in the hills, eyes closed and smiling gently. She wears a dark jumper and jeans, with wild grass and rough stone all around. The light is soft, and the mood is peaceful and quietly powerful. Photo by Christie Hemm Klok
July 14, 2025 at 3:52 PM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
How very cool it is to hear my writing read aloud, so well, on The Times's 'The Story' Podcast.

If you fancy something subversive, funny, and highly relatable to listen to, the link is below.

podcasts.apple.com/tr/podcast/t...

#Scotland #Writing #Books #WritingCommunity #Women #Funny
A woman stands confidently in a lush green garden, framed by trees and a dark wooden fence. She wears a dark denim jumpsuit with rolled-up sleeves and a black belt, standing with one hand in her pocket and the other resting by her side. The caption below reads: "The Sunday Edition: I live with two men. Both are my ex-husbands." Below are buttons to play the 14-minute episode, dated July 13.
July 13, 2025 at 1:27 PM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
Today I held the finished copy of my book for the first time. Three years (or a lifetime?) in the making, and in just a month, it’ll be in readers’ hands.

'Drystone – A Life Rebuilt' is out 7 August.

#Books #Writing #WritingCommunity #Scotland
A copy of the book Drystone – A Life Rebuilt by Kristie De Garis, propped upright on a drystone wall surrounded by bright yellow and green garden plants. The cover features five colourful stone shapes with the title text layered across them.
July 3, 2025 at 6:53 PM
kristiedegaris.bsky.social
This week, The Times are doing a giveaway - 40 signed copies of my book! If you are a subscriber, you can enter.

I have a rubbish signature, so don't get excited about that part. The book is great though.

www.thetimes.com/timesplus/co...

#Scotland #Writing #Books #WritingCommunity
Screenshot of a promotional webpage for the book Drystone: A Life Rebuilt by Kristie De Garis. The page features the book cover with bold, abstract stone shapes and a portrait of the author wearing a brown jumper against a muted green background. The text describes the memoir as an unflinchingly honest and unexpectedly funny account from one of the few professional female drystone wallers in the world. It outlines themes such as racism, trauma, ADHD, addiction, and motherhood. A competition box at the bottom offers 40 Times+ members the chance to win signed copies.
July 2, 2025 at 2:10 PM