School counsellor @francesmckendrick.bsky.social turned her experience of talking to troubled teenagers into a gripping novel with a compelling mystery at its core. It’s a major achievement to be so relevant and so entertaining at the same time, as @neilmackay.bsky.social noted in the Herald y’day

School counsellor talks about violent porn and is eaten by bush @heraldscotland.bsky.social @neilmackay.bsky.social

‘Words Fail Me is essential reading for every parent and anyone who cares about the mental health crisis affecting young people today. It’s not only socially important, it’s a damn good read’ Ace coverage for @francesmckendrick.bsky.social & her debut novel from @neilmackay.bsky.social in the Herald

‘So many boys have seen violent pornography that they’re physically harming girls’ I talk to Scotland’s best known school counsellor about the lives of teenagers. She reveals a world of sexual violence, abuse and mental illness In @heraldscotland.bsky.social Warning: disturbing & graphic content

Well worth reading as always.

Inside Scotland’s march against poverty Thousands of protesters from Scottish churches, charities and trade unions will take to the streets next week demanding a fair deal for the poor. It’s the first demo of its kind I talk to the man behind the rally in my @heraldscotland.bsky.social long read

The following is REAL footage from Portland, 2025. Viewer discretion is advised.

Just when I couldn't bear to look at any more social media, Douglas Ross pops up telling reporters he's afraid to go into the chamber for fear that Jamie Hepburn will batter him for whining that no one invited him to talk about Seagulls.

You know where you are with a Scottish Tory

Thank you @bloodyscotland.bsky.social

Happy 150th Anniversary @thehibees.bsky.social

Getting to read from Words Fail Me at Bloody Scotland!

Words Fail Me by @francesmckendrick.bsky.social is beautiful, painful and hugely resonant. I loved it. Seek it out.

Finished @jnraeside.bsky.social brilliant novel, read @stejhoward.bsky.social haunting novella in a oner and made a start on @francesmckendrick.bsky.social first novel…

Signing copies of Words Fail Me @argonautbooks.bsky.social thanks to Arthur Allen, whose incredible poetry can also be bought there

‘Unusual, realistic and very moving, this fluently written novel deals with painful issues that need to be more widely discussed’ – a superb review of @francesmckendrick.bsky.social’s Words Fail Me in the Literary Review (full review in next post) www.eye-books.com/books/words-...

First book signing in Toppings Edinburgh, thanks to Sanna and Andrew

‘School counsellor Jane advises troubled kids while struggling with demons from her past. She knows the rule: you don’t get involved, right? But when a colleague, Kas, reveals how her childhood abuser has returned to torment her, Jane resolves to do the unthinkable...’ @francesmckendrick.bsky.social

Words Fail Me by @francesmckendrick.bsky.social is ‘a gripping book which would be good for anyone whose feelings were stirred by Adolescence,’ says @julesbutton.bsky.social of @suffolksound.bsky.social. ‘You’re compelled by the mystery and it’s a rollercoaster of emotions. It blows your head off’

Words Fail Me by @francesmckendrick.bsky.social is ‘an electrifying tale of revenge, by a psychotherapist author, and a warning of the damage wrought by the internet’, says Saga Magazine www.amazon.co.uk/Words-Fail-M...

Looking for Sex Ed books I can share with teens that are very trans inclusive AND talk about heterosexual anal sex. All the self-proclaimed inclusive guides I have are very breezy on the subject and skip the risks for girls

Good to hear therapist-turned-crime-writer @francesmckendrick.bsky.social on @lenniesaurus.bsky.social’s Arts Mix programme on BBC Radio Scotland this afternoon, talking about Fran’s gripping debut novel Words Fail Me. Listen again from about 13 mins www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Out on Thursday, our next novel could hardly be more timely: WORDS FAIL ME is a gripping thriller about teenage mental health. Author @francesmckendrick.bsky.social is a hugely talented writer who doubles as a school therapist. Her book is 30% off till Wed midnight www.eye-books.com/books/words-...

Really brilliant to hear what they doing and looking forward to progressing this work further!

Who benefits from blocking the Kids Online Safety Act? Only companies whose business model relies on hooking kids. That means especially Meta, Snap, and Tiktok. The House should bring KOSA to a vote, now. www.anxiousgeneration.com/kosa

Don't water down safer phone bill. So many teens tell me they can't concentrate on a movie they've CHOSEN to watch without scrolling on their phones. What hope for engaging with schoolwork and real face to face bonding with peers when the algorithms are calling to them. Get phones out of schools

Still no support for Edinburgh kids on CAMHS waiting list. Meanwhile, yet another private equity firm appears, 'The Recovery Centre' (Broughton Street) touting for business in private schools. A mindblowing £187 for 1 counselling session, £225 for EMDR. Hope you get a magic wand with that...