Author Archives: Doug Johnstone

Unknown's avatar

About Doug Johnstone

I write things

My review of Dan Rhodes and Judith Schalansky

Aye so here is my Big Issue column, reviewing When the Professor Got Stuck in the Snow (Miyuki Books) by Dan Rhodes and Judith Schalansky’s The Giraffe’s Neck (Bloomsbury). Very good but very different, and one of them is almost … Continue reading

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A review of Gone Again in The Puffin Review

Following hot on the heels of my recent interview in The Puffin Review, they’ve got a cracking review of Gone Again up on their site now. ‘This was a refreshing change from the tired crime staples of tough cops and … Continue reading

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Interview in The Edinburgh Evening News

I was recently interviewed by Gemma Fraser for the Edinburgh Evening News, where I talked about Kurt Cobain, feeling old and my obsession with obituaries, all of which led to The Dead Beat being what it is. Read all about … Continue reading

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The First Review of The Dead Beat

Three weeks until publication and we have the first review of The Dead Beat, by Bethany Anderson over at Subtle Melodrama. And it’s a cracker, Ms Anderson describing it as ‘funny, moving, exciting and, as always, Johnstone really brings the city … Continue reading

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Podcast Blether with the Scottish Book Trust

I had a good old blether with the inimitable Ryan van Winkle for a Scottish Book Trust podcast. Here it is here. Lots of chatter about The Dead Beat, suicide and mental health issues, grunge and cassette tapes. If you … Continue reading

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

An interview in The Puffin Review

I was interviewed a wee while ago in The Puffin Review about all sorts of stuff, from football to self-publishing, from music to muses. Click on the link to read the blether and swearwords.

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

THE DEAD BEAT – a playlist

OK, so here’s a bit of fun. My new book, THE DEAD BEAT, has a thread of early 90s grunge and alternative rock running through it, even though it’s mostly set in present-day Edinburgh. The reason for that will be obvious once … Continue reading

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

My review of Michio Kaku and Audrey Magee in Big Issue

Here is my Big Issue column reviewing Michio Kaku’s The Future of the Mind (Allen Lane) and The Undertaking by Audrey Magee (Atlantic). Two very different books, but both intriguing in their own way.  

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

My review of Seth MacFarlane’s novel in The Independent on Sunday

  Aye so, I recently reviewed A Million Ways to Die in the West (Canongate), the debut novel by Seth MacFarlane, he of Family Guy and Ted fame. The review was in The Independent on Sunday. The book was funny … Continue reading

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Highlights from last week’s Speakeasy in Edinburgh

Here’s a cool wee highlights video of last week’s Speakeasy event at The Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh. Loads of talented folks, then me bringing up the rear, so to speak. Enjoy!

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , | Leave a comment