Shona Kinsella
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shonak.bsky.social
Shona Kinsella
@shonak.bsky.social
1.9K followers 670 following 1.7K posts
Scottish fantasy and horror author. Chair of the British Fantasy Society. Avid Reader. Vaguely gothic. She/her www.shonakinsella.com
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shonak.bsky.social
As should I… 😂

Convincing you to read my novel with the first sentence. Share yours if you want
Text reads: Chapter One. Mairead. 28th July 1745 The end was in sight. The old man’s rasping breath hitched in his chest, stuttering in time with the flickering light coming from the hearth. Mairead dropped her knitting into the basket at her side and leaned forward, placing her warm hand atop his cold, frail one. He coughed and sighed, his breathing once more settling into an unsteady rhythm, and Mairead squeezed his fingers before letting go and sitting back again. Old Callum’s wasted body barely made a hump beneath the blankets and plaids piled atop the bed.
November 11, 2025 at 5:07 PM
shonak.bsky.social
Crunchy on the outside, still a little doughy on the inside, I’m serving them with butter and honey and they are really tasty
A slice of bannock, side on Two triangular slices of bannock with butter and honey on top
November 11, 2025 at 11:34 AM
shonak.bsky.social
And we have two cooked rounds of bannock!
Two round flat breads, lightly browned and scored into quarters
November 11, 2025 at 11:32 AM
shonak.bsky.social
I’m cooking them in a frying pan, which is the closest thing I’ve got to a traditional bannock stane. You can also do them in the oven
One of the rounds of dough inside a black frying pan
November 11, 2025 at 11:01 AM
shonak.bsky.social
Okay, we have two bread-like lumps of dough. Let’s see what happens next…
Two circular lumps of dough
November 11, 2025 at 10:57 AM
shonak.bsky.social
To celebrate publication day, I’m having a go at making bannocks. Wish me luck!
Baking ingredients on a counter - oat flour, plain flour, salt, bicarbonate of soda and buttermilk
November 11, 2025 at 9:31 AM
shonak.bsky.social
I would love it if you could join me at one my upcoming events to celebrate the release of Daughters of Nicnevin

Waterstones events here: www.waterstones.com/events/searc...

The Highland Bookshop tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/daughters-...
Book cover - Daughters of Nicnevin. Two women in 18th century highland dress stand back to back, surrounded by men made of straw. Author photo - a black and white photo of a woman in a dark dress, with long dark hair, looking towards the camera and smiling. Text reads - Upcoming events, November 20th - Waterstones Argyle Street Glasgow, 7pm, In Conversation with Sam K Horton November 22nd, The Highland Bookshop, Fort William, 6pm November 25th, Waterstones Edinburgh West End, 7pm, In Conversation with Rafael Torrubia
November 7, 2025 at 5:25 PM
shonak.bsky.social
Available for pre-order now: www.flametreepublishing.com/daughters-of...
A green graphic with book cover and text. Book cover - Daughters of Nicnevin by Shona Kinsella. Two women in 18th century highland dress stand back to back in a field. They are surrounded by men made of straw who are looming over them threateningly. Text - Out November 11th from Flame Tree Press. "A tale so powerfully bewitching I forgot reality, and at times even breathing, existed." - Ida Keogh
October 27, 2025 at 9:22 AM
shonak.bsky.social
8yo approves of my book haul
A row of books on a table: Craft in the Real World by Matthew Salesses, The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr, Sway by Pragya Agarwal and Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability and Making Space by Amanda Leduc
October 25, 2025 at 12:46 PM
shonak.bsky.social
Happy publication day to this warm hug of a book by @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social
If you enjoy cosy fantasy or have ever longed to find where you belong, then run to buy this mybook.to/magicmapsand...
October 24, 2025 at 6:35 AM
shonak.bsky.social
Came across this fine individual last night. 8yo was thrilled. 12yo was gutted that they missed it
A close up of a tiny brown frog (or toad?) in amongst grass and moss
October 23, 2025 at 8:49 AM
shonak.bsky.social
The 12yo made some art for my book launch 😭
Two hands clasped with magical energy circling them. Text reads Daughters of Nicnevin
October 22, 2025 at 11:32 AM
shonak.bsky.social
Available for pre-order now: www.flametreepublishing.com/daughters-of...
A green graphic showing the cover of Daughters of Nicenvin and text. Book cover - two women in 18th century highland dress stand back-to-back, surrounded by men made of straw. The atmosphere is threatening. Text reads: Out November 11th from Flame Tree Press. "A story of love, community and responsibility that weaves together the heartening and heart-breaking to spellbinding effect." - Andrew Knighton
October 22, 2025 at 8:46 AM
shonak.bsky.social
Caught raindrops hanging from grass like delicate glass beads
A close up of raindrops on grass Raindrops on grass
October 22, 2025 at 7:39 AM
shonak.bsky.social
One week tomorrow I'll be getting on a train and heading for Brighton! This is what I'll be up to while I'm there. Outwith these times, you'll likely find me at the BFS table in the Dealers Hall or in the bar!
A green graphic with an image of the Daughters of Nicnevin book cover and a black and white photo of Shona. Text reads: My WFC schedule. Friday 5-6pm Scottish Fantasy and Horror Panel, Friday 7-8pm Flame Tree Launch Party, Friday 8pm Mass Autograph Session, Saturday 6-7pm MC Interview: Joanne Harris, Saturday 7:30-9pm British Fantasy Awards, Sunday 9:30-11am British Fantasy Society AGM
October 21, 2025 at 1:06 PM
shonak.bsky.social
I still can’t believe how beautiful it is! @nickwells451.bsky.social @broci.bsky.social
A hardback copy of Daughters of Nicnevin. Two women in 18th century highland dress stand back to back, surrounded by men made of straw. Gold and silver foiling highlights details in the image The back cover of Daughters of Nicnevin. A cut out of the two women’s faces is in the centre, surrounded by stars The spine of the book shows the same cut out The side view - the pages have sprayed edges in almost the same green as the cover
October 20, 2025 at 10:21 AM
shonak.bsky.social
Book post!!!
October 18, 2025 at 12:29 PM
shonak.bsky.social
Available for pre-order now: www.flametreepublishing.com/daughters-of...
A green graphic showing a book cover and text. Book cover: Daughters of Nicnevin by Shona Kinsella. Two women in 18th century highland dress stand back to back in the middle of a field. They are surrounded by men made of straw. The atmosphere is threating, brooding. Text reads: Out November 11th from Flame Tree Press. "Sweeping and evocative, Daughters of Nicnevin is lush, earnest, and painfully heartfelt. Every word etches truth in your soul; when it comes to Scottish history tinged with magic, there is no greater authority. Compelling and bone-shakingly real, Kinsella is a beautiful and singular voice." - David Green, author of the Empire of Ruin series
October 14, 2025 at 4:49 PM
shonak.bsky.social
Found in my local library! A signed, limited edition copy of Saturation Point @aptshadow.bsky.social
Photo of the inner leaf of Saturation Point by Adrian Tchaikovsky, signed
October 11, 2025 at 3:48 PM
shonak.bsky.social
Daughters of Nicnevin, available for pre-order now: www.flametreepublishing.com/daughters-of...
Graphic with a dark green background, book cover and text. Book cover - Daughters of Nicnevin by Shona Kinsella. Two women in 18th century highland dress stand back to back in a field. A semi-circle of men made from wheat surround them, looming and threatening. Text reads - Out November 11th from Flame Tree Press. 'A superb slice of bygone Scottish life brewed with folklore and witchcraft into a fresh and fantastic read.' Cameron Johnston, author of The Last Shield and The Maleficent Seven
October 8, 2025 at 1:47 PM
shonak.bsky.social
Fountain pen enthusiasts! I have a pen that was gifted to me which I can’t seem to encourage to write well. No matter what ink I put in it, it doesn’t seem to come through the nib properly. I am new to fountain pens, so I’m wondering if I’m doing something wrong. Any ideas?
Close up of a notebook page with illegible writing because the ink is only partially there
October 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
shonak.bsky.social
Hanging out online with @britfantasysoc.bsky.social at Something Monstrous today!
A caucasian woman with long, black hair is looking at the camera. She is wearing dark, gothic lipstick and eye make-up and has headphones on. Behind her is a messy bookcase, filled with books and stationary
October 4, 2025 at 1:05 PM
shonak.bsky.social
A line of trees, their leaves turning orange and red A tall tree, with green leaves beginning to yellow A collection of leaves in an arc on a grey wooden floor. Shades of yellow, dark brown, orange and red from at least 3 different types of leaf
October 3, 2025 at 1:38 PM
shonak.bsky.social
An autumn collection
Large, tall white mushrooms, growing on grass Rich red berries growing along a stem with dark green leaves A bright yellow leaf over a red/orange one Long, thin green leaves taking on a pink/red hue
October 3, 2025 at 1:38 PM
shonak.bsky.social
Available for pre-order now: www.flametreepublishing.com/daughters-of...
Green graphic with book cover and text. Book cover: Daughters of Nicnevin by Shona Kinsella. Two women in 18th century highland dress stand back to back in a field. They are surrounded by men made of straw. The atmosphere is brooding and menacing. Text reads: Out November 11th from Flame Tree Press. "set against the backdrop of Scotland in the 1700s, the Jacobite uprising and the witch trials, Daughters of Nicnevin is a haunting, ethereal tale of love, sisterhood and magic." - Helen Glynn Jones, author of The Last Raven
September 30, 2025 at 8:54 AM