Duncan McLeanDuncan McLean

Duncan McLean lives in the Orkney Islands, off the north coast of Scotland. He has published novels, plays, a travel book about Texas, and many short stories. He has run two influential small presses (Clocktower Press, which published Irvine Welsh and Ali Smith at the start of their careers) and Abersee Press (which has recently published Hera Lindsay Bird). His most recent publication is Dark Island, a homage to Frank Sargeson’s A Conversation with my Uncle. Duncan was born in Aberdeenshire in 1964.

The strangest literary journal in the world: New Zealand hooks up with the Orkney Islands

by

Why is so much writing too afraid to ever dare be offensive? A new literary journal produced in the Orkney Islands attempts to introduce some bad manners – with assistance from New Zealand authors. In February of this year, Craig Marriner published an essay with all the stoor of Hunter S Thompson at full throttle. … Read more

A man from Scotland travels to NZ and discovers forgotten genius Craig Marriner

by

Duncan McLean is a writer and publisher living on the Orkney Islands in Scotland. He travelled to New Zealand, drawn by the books of Frank Sargeson – and discovered the forgotten man of New Zealand writing, Craig Marriner.  I first encountered Frank Sargeson in Jane Campion’s film An Angel at my Table. It was quite a hit on the … Read more