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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · 21h

When a new member comes to writers’ group, sits through a reading of an allegorical story on how religion is being twisted for authoritarian purposes, then says, ‘I think I might be in the wrong meeting. I'm looking for the horticultural society.’ Absolutely Priceless.

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · 3d

Thoroughly enjoyed @portybookfest.bsky.social yesterday. The Unheard Voices panel showed writing's power to build community, especially during tough times. Brilliant contributions from fellow writers @stephenchristopher.bsky.social & Jim Aitken & chair Debbie Menezes. Thanks to all who came.

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · 12d

Apart from the fact David Tennant and Toby Jones' wigs shouldn't have been sharing the screen together, The Hack is great. Don't see what the bad reviews are about.

Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · 14d

My friend Bob Fell will be talking about a curious episode at Balquhidder at the @scotstorycentre.bsky.social on 28 Oct, with special guest Shamus McPhee. Free tickets so come along. #scotshistory #folklore

sisf.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:62...

Scottish International Storytelling Festival

sisf.online.red61.co.uk

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · 21d

A great prog at this year’s @portybookfest.bsky.social I’ll be in the Unheard Voices panel, talking about unheard voices in Salvage. First & foremost the Traveller kids taken from their families but also the unheard voices of old generations of my Traveller family, which inspire me to write

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · 25d

That felt good.

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · 26d

An unusual chapter in the history of Jedburgh. Film producers will be tripping over themselves to get the rights for this.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Court orders 'tribe' to be evicted from Scottish woodland

A sheriff orders the three members of a self-styled "African tribe" to be removed from privately-owned land in the Scottish Borders.

www.bbc.com

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Aug 19

My awesome publisher @tippermuirbooks.bsky.social has a couple of titles shortlisted in this year's Scots Language Awards. The Lass and The Quine and Complete Works of William Soutar. Vote here!👇👍 projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotslanguag...

Scots Language Awards 2025 shortlist unveiled

Hands Up for Trad are gled tae annoonce that amang the braw nominees includit on the shortleet for a Scots Leid Award 2025, are weel worthy fowk fae Scottish literature, theatre, eddication an busi…

projects.handsupfortrad.scot

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Aug 9

Edinburgh Festival goers, if you're partial to a dusty bookshelf and the crackle of delicate pages, come along to the Dear Library story session at the @natlibscot.bsky.social Tuesday, noon, where I'll be reading from History of The Gipsies and from Salvage
www.edfringe.com/tickets/what...

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Aug 6

I'm looking forward to taking part in the Dear Library event, part of Edinburgh Fringe at @natlibscot.bsky.social
my slot is Tues 12 Aug at noon. Tickets 👇
www.edfringe.com/tickets/what...

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Aug 4

It's such a pleasure to see reviews like this. I tried to write Salvage with the urgency & pace of a thriller - it seems to have worked! 👍

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Jul 30

If you think press treatment of Travellers has become less racist over time, read this from @lsesocialpolicy.bsky.social in the British Journal of Criminology
academic.oup.com/bjc/advance-...

An Arc of Time Through Crime: Representations of Gypsies and Travellers in Police Killings

Abstract. This paper examines newspaper stories reporting on the killings by Gypsy and Traveller offenders of PC Leslie Meehan in 1960 and PC Andrew Harper

academic.oup.com

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Jul 29

A true conundrum. Not surprised it drew a crowd. Must be that time of year again.
www.thenational.scot/news/2534447...

Almost 1000 people gather to watch man fold fitted sheet in Scottish city

ALMOST 1000 people gathered in Edinburgh to watch a man fold a fitted sheet, as videos of the event have gone viral on social media ...

www.thenational.scot

Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Jul 23

👇👇👍

Rick Hendry @rickhendry.bsky.social · Jul 22

I can’t recommend Mark’s book Salvage highly enough, if you enjoy a missing person mystery story then this shouldn’t disappoint you, it’s truly an amazing read, it gives a great insight into life as a Traveller here in Scotland and the sick and evil removal of Traveller children from their families.

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Jul 23

Many thanks Rick!

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Jul 22

A year since Salvage was published. Thanks to every reader & the amazing @tippermuirbooks.bsky.social @rickhendry.bsky.social @romanistanpodcast.bsky.social @chelsmacdonn.bsky.social -
to think one bit of advice I got while writing it was: it wasn't a story anyone would want to read!

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Jul 11

Can't help thinking this debacle is what happens when nomadism gets romanticised. Somebody's going to package it up and sell it.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...

Inside the Salt Path controversy: ‘Scandal has stalked memoir since the genre was invented’

Raynor Winn’s bestselling book is far from the first time a true story has been called into question after publication. But how does it happen? And should readers really feel betrayed?

www.theguardian.com

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Jul 9

They fairly jumped the shark at the end of 28 Years Later with the Jimmy Savile-styled zombie killing ninjas. Oh to have been in the writers' room when that post-it got stuck to the wall. "Listen guys, I've got the ideal way to wrap this up..."

Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Jun 28

On to the next one on the list 💪 at least they elevated my status to poet

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Jun 27

When you submit a short story to a high brow lit magazine and the rejection says your poetry wasn't right for our pages, well...

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Jun 27

In Scotland this week a small but tenacious group of campaigners brought recognition for countless victims of anti Traveller laws and policies over centuries. The government has apologised and so has the church. What an awesome achievement
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

John Swinney apologises to travellers for 'Tinker Experiment'

The first minister has said sorry to Gypsy Travellers who were forcibly resettled by Scottish authorities.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Jun 15

My grandad ‘Bing’, dad, my oldest son Ozzy, and me, from the first article I wrote for the Romany & Traveller Family History Society. I've been a member off & on nearly 20 years. Joining & contributing is a great way to capture memories of all the great folks from your family! #GRTHM

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Jun 12

Here's the final part of the excerpt from Salvage for Gypsy Romany Traveller history month. Enjoy! #GRTHM25 #DebutNovel #scotsnoir #scotshistory #WritingCommunity

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Jun 11

Pt2 - in the rare collections room at the National Library of Scotland. #GRTHM25 #gypsytraveller #scotshistory #scotsnoir #mysterynovel #WritingCommunity

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Mark Baillie @mbaillie.bsky.social · Jun 10

👇👇👍

Rick Hendry @rickhendry.bsky.social · Jun 10

I can’t reiterate enough how much I love Salvage, I can’t wait for your next release.

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