Welcome

‘To say McCall Smith is a literary phenomenon doesn’t quite describe what has happened. He has become more of a movement, a worldwide club for the dissemination of gentle wisdom and good cheer.’ – Elizabeth Grice, Telegraph

NEWS

Trains and Lovers: The Heart’s Journey

This stunning stand-alone novel, with explores love in all its guises, is due to be published for Christmas 2012. Four strangers sit together on a train journey and as the miles unwind so too do the stories of love that they exchange. A hauntingly beautiful short novel.

No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency radio series

The No.1 Ladies’ Detective radio dramas are returning to BBC Radio 4 with a new series in the New Year. Watch this space for an update on dates.

Scotland Street returns to the Scotsman

We are delighted to announce that a new series of Scotland Street will appear daily in the Scotsman from January. Date to be confirmed so watch this space.

A message from the man himself:

Welcome to my pages on the Polygon & Birlinn Limited website. Here you will find information about my latest books and discover what is planned for the future. You will also find out about my events and be first to find out when I’m visiting your home town.

Do delve further into the pages on this site. I hope you’ll find much to enjoy.

Visit us often to get the latest updates or sign up here now to receive a regular newsletter about all of the Polygon and Birlinn publications.

The Author & Polygon

Alexander McCall Smith’s The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency was first published by Polygon, in Edinburgh, in 1998. Since then, a further 12 titles have appeared in hardback, paperback and audio editions, with total sales of the printed editions now topping 20 million copies in English and translations complete or underway in 45 languages.

This series is now published by Little, Brown in London but the author has maintained his links with Polygon who publish all of the hardback editions of the 44 Scotland Street titles and the Corduroy Mansions series along with stand alone publications including Trains and Lovers.

Alexander McCall Smith is prolific! As well writing new titles in his five hugely popular series, he writes stand-alone novels, is involved in screen-writing, radio drama and opera libretto, and travels the world promoting his work. And in 2013, Scotland’s biggest community arts project comes to fruition – The Great Tapestry of Scotland. Alexander came up with the idea for the Great Tapestry in 2011 and has worked with artist Andrew Crummy and historian Alistair Moffat to bring the tapestry into being. Volunteer stitchers right across Scotland are now stitching 160 panels (with a total length of at least 145 metres), each designed by Andrew Crummy and each telling one aspect of Scottish history from the ice-age to the present day.