Crime writer: I thought Bar-L was a bookshop
Author visited notorious prison to speak to inmates
INTERNATIONAL crime writer Linwood Barclay has told how he visited Glasgow’s notorious Barlinnie Prison – but thought he was going to a talk at a bookshop. The novelist agreed to give a talk about writing while visiting Scotland – and was shocked when he turned up at the Victorian-built prison. Linwood said: “I paid a visit to Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow to talk to two dozen inmates about writing. “When I got there, I thought, ‘Wait a sec, this does not look like a Waterstones’. “It was a real high point for me. Visiting the prison was an eye-opener but the prisoners seemed to enjoy my talk. I wasn’t aware of the history of the building but it’s been fascinating to learn about it since then.”
The 66-year-old will fulfil a life-long dream at the Bloody Scotland book festival next month when he and novelist Stephen King interview each other. Barclay, whose latest novel
Find You First is topping the bestseller lists around the world, said being asked to do an event with his writing hero is “exciting”. He added: “I am a huge fan of his and there’s so much more to his work than just horror writing. It’s going to be a fantastic event.” Bloody Scotland director Craig Robertson, who will host the King/ Barclay event, said bagging the two authors was a “coup”. He said: “I can’t wait to introduce them on stage in Stirling in front of a live audience in the Albert Halls. It’s going to be absolutely fascinating.” The festival, which is taking place with in-person events and online content, will be held from September 17-19.