'...meet characters that step off the page
and get under your skin!'
Welcome to the website of Emma Mooney, author and writer of Scottish contemporary fiction.
Emma is the author of two books, A Beautiful Game and Wings to Fly, both published by Crooked Cat Books. Her shorter works, including poems and short stories, have appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines. Emma was awarded a Masters with distinction in Creative Writing at the University of Stirling and is currently working on the edits of her next novel. She believes passionately in giving everyone a voice.
Emma is the author of two books, A Beautiful Game and Wings to Fly, both published by Crooked Cat Books. Her shorter works, including poems and short stories, have appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines. Emma was awarded a Masters with distinction in Creative Writing at the University of Stirling and is currently working on the edits of her next novel. She believes passionately in giving everyone a voice.
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Skara Brae
Any Scot can tell you the word brae translates to hill, but no one knows what skara means. And what about the people who lived here, what did they call this place? Did they even give it a name? Skara Brae, I discover, is a place of questions, not answers. Read Emma's creative memoir piece on the website of Scottish Mountaineering Press here. |
International Women's Day Climate Change Strike
Emma was proud to be invited to read her collection of poems, 'Mother Earth' at the rally outside the Scottish Parliament on International Women's Day 2022.
Emma was proud to be invited to read her collection of poems, 'Mother Earth' at the rally outside the Scottish Parliament on International Women's Day 2022.
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History Lesson
In War & Peace was set up by The Poets' Republic to record and share the responses from poets to war, state violence and the pursuit of peace. 'History Lesson' was written after listening to a man hiding in Kyiv share his terrifying experiences on the radio. |
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Postbox Issue 5
Red Squirrel Press have published the fifth issue of their fabulous collection of short stories, and Emma is delighted to have her story, 'For Sale' included. Buy your copy here. |
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Insurrection
"Democracy is a fragile idea founded on the hope and conviction of those who participate in it." The poems in this anthology are a response to the events of January the 6th. Read Emma's poem here. |
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Pharos
Emma was delighted to be invited to submit to Pharos, a beautiful anthology of poems and writing from Stryvling Press. Buy your copy here. |
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Patriots
Emma's poem, Patriots, was published by Gnashing Teeth Publishing as part of their Insurrection feature. Read the poem here.
Emma's poem, Patriots, was published by Gnashing Teeth Publishing as part of their Insurrection feature. Read the poem here.
View from a Top Floor Window
Tam is tracking aircraft, Elizabeth is keeping count of the days whilst trying to solve a crossword clue and Charlie is doing his best to get his neighbours to stick to the rules! Follow the lives of Tam, Elizabeth and Charlie during lockdown.
Put the kettle on, sit back and listen to Emma's collection of short stories, View from a Top Floor Window.
Tam is tracking aircraft, Elizabeth is keeping count of the days whilst trying to solve a crossword clue and Charlie is doing his best to get his neighbours to stick to the rules! Follow the lives of Tam, Elizabeth and Charlie during lockdown.
Put the kettle on, sit back and listen to Emma's collection of short stories, View from a Top Floor Window.
Essential Items Only
Emma wrote this short story after she found herself pondering over what the phrase, 'essential items only' means. Have a listen here.
And please follow Thrawn Craws on Facebook to hear a wonderful variety of words of poetry and prose.
And please follow Thrawn Craws on Facebook to hear a wonderful variety of words of poetry and prose.
Razur Cuts
A massive thanks to the team at Razur Cuts for inviting Emma to read at their lockdown gig, and a shout out to Rosie for her star appearance! Have a listen here.
Big Pete and the Russians
Emma's short story, Big Pete and the Russians was published by The Ogilvie. Check it out here.
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The Space Between Sounds
Emma was proud when Isabelle Kenyon contacted her to ask if she would contribute her poem, The Space Between Sounds, to this fantastic calendar. The calendar not only raises funds for the mental health charity, Mind, but also gets people talking about issues that were once taboo. Together, let's break down the barriers around mental health! |
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Falkirk Storytelling Festival
Wow! What a fun afternoon this was.
Many thanks to the amazing, Janet Crawford for organising in the event.
Wow! What a fun afternoon this was.
Many thanks to the amazing, Janet Crawford for organising in the event.
Punk, Poetry and Prose
Derek Steel is one of those guys who just gets things done. And he doesn't do things by half so we all knew the launch of Razur Cuts V was gonna be a big night - and it didn't disappoint. Staggeringly, Derek does all of this to support others.
And his encouragement pays off! Writer, Julie Rea, had her first published story in Razur Cuts III and went on to be a recipient of Scottish Book Trust's Next Chapter Award. Her short story, Shark Tooth, will appear in the next edition of New Writing Scotland.
Julie says being published by Razur Cuts gave her 'the confidence boost to send submissions to other literary journals and magazines. Derek is a champion for writers. Love his passion, dedication and spirit. He's a true maverick!'
Derek Steel is one of those guys who just gets things done. And he doesn't do things by half so we all knew the launch of Razur Cuts V was gonna be a big night - and it didn't disappoint. Staggeringly, Derek does all of this to support others.
And his encouragement pays off! Writer, Julie Rea, had her first published story in Razur Cuts III and went on to be a recipient of Scottish Book Trust's Next Chapter Award. Her short story, Shark Tooth, will appear in the next edition of New Writing Scotland.
Julie says being published by Razur Cuts gave her 'the confidence boost to send submissions to other literary journals and magazines. Derek is a champion for writers. Love his passion, dedication and spirit. He's a true maverick!'
Read an extract from one of Emma's novels in Razur Cuts.
The magazine is available to order direct from Razur Cuts (find them on Facebook here). It costs £4.50 payable via PayPal to deeko1963@googlemail.com and is worth every penny!
The magazine is available to order direct from Razur Cuts (find them on Facebook here). It costs £4.50 payable via PayPal to deeko1963@googlemail.com and is worth every penny!
Hidden Door Festival
Last Friday night saw the opening to the Hidden Door Festival in Leith. The event took place in the Old State Cinema and it was incredible to see how the team had transformed the building in such a short space of time.
Emma was privileged to be part of the Woman With Fierce Words Line up. This amazing bunch of women are an inspiration. Their words come from a place deep within themselves and speak a truth and honesty that strikes a chord.
Last Friday night saw the opening to the Hidden Door Festival in Leith. The event took place in the Old State Cinema and it was incredible to see how the team had transformed the building in such a short space of time.
Emma was privileged to be part of the Woman With Fierce Words Line up. This amazing bunch of women are an inspiration. Their words come from a place deep within themselves and speak a truth and honesty that strikes a chord.
Asif Khan, director of the Scottish Poetry Library, was in the audience and his post on Facebook pretty much summed up the experience.
May 2018
May 2018
happening 67
The University of Stirling is officially 50 years old and to celebrate they ran a fantastic evening of art, music, film, and - of course - readings from their publication, happening 67. The audience was small (apparently, there was a wedding on?), but they were great! They laughed along to Martin Raymond's memoir, thoughtfully considered the poetry on drug addiction from Sarah McLean and Alisdair Hodgson, and they were moved by the short story, Embers, from Swaksha Krishnakumar. |
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Emma's short story, 33 rpm, can quickly divide an audience by age as she found herself having to explain the title to younger fellow students!
May 2018
May 2018
Laura Fyfe
Off the Page Showcase
Laura Fyfe and Clive Wright did a fantastic job last night, hosting an evening of poetry, prose and music as part of the Stirling Book Festival. What more could you want on a Thursday night?
And special congratulations to the super talented, Sarah McLean who won the prize for Best Newcomer. Sarah's piece was from the novel she's currently writing on the Masters Course at Stirling University.
May 2018
Laura Fyfe and Clive Wright did a fantastic job last night, hosting an evening of poetry, prose and music as part of the Stirling Book Festival. What more could you want on a Thursday night?
And special congratulations to the super talented, Sarah McLean who won the prize for Best Newcomer. Sarah's piece was from the novel she's currently writing on the Masters Course at Stirling University.
May 2018
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Love & Desire & Hate
Brilliant title, brilliant setting and brilliant performances! A massive shout out to Sweet Pea Photography for taking the photographs. April 2018 |
Dear America
This poem was written in response to the latest Florida Shootings.
It was recently published by the Bombay Literary Magazine, and you can click on the image to hear me read it on SoundCloud.
You can read the poem here.
March 2018
This poem was written in response to the latest Florida Shootings.
It was recently published by the Bombay Literary Magazine, and you can click on the image to hear me read it on SoundCloud.
You can read the poem here.
March 2018
Please Here What I'm Not Saying
This project was sparked by poet, Isabelle Kenyon, who wanted to raise awareness of mental health while raising money for the mental health charity, MIND. The anthology is a collection of poems from around the world. Emma is extremely proud to have my two poems, Barbed Wire and The Space Between Sounds, included in the book.
Buying a copy raises money to directly help people struggling with mental health issues. You can buy a copy here.
This project was sparked by poet, Isabelle Kenyon, who wanted to raise awareness of mental health while raising money for the mental health charity, MIND. The anthology is a collection of poems from around the world. Emma is extremely proud to have my two poems, Barbed Wire and The Space Between Sounds, included in the book.
Buying a copy raises money to directly help people struggling with mental health issues. You can buy a copy here.
 Thanks to writer and novelist, Helen MacKinven for hosting the second half.
One Weekend in Falkirk...
Last Saturday night, Emma was delighted to be invited to launch Wings to Fly as part of the #oneweekendinfalkirk arts festival. Thank you to everyone who came along and made the evening so special. |
Janet Crawford joined me to share some of her inspirational poems.
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Launching Wings to Fly
The official launch of Wings to Fly was held in Cafe Bar 1912. Thanks to everyone who came along - your support is incredible! |
Many thanks to Upscale for adding some fabulous music to the event!
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Scotland, 1980
Cathy Munro is not like the other girls in her small town. Inquisitive and full of spirit, she sets out on a mission to talk to God in the hope of securing her place in Heaven. So when the miracles she prays for start to happen, she’s sure she’s on the right track. But then she notices her mother is acting strangely and avoiding her questions. And why is everyone determined to stop her becoming friends with the boy next door? Could it be because he goes to a different school? Cathy soon learns that her miracles have consequences, and that life isn’t as simple as she’d once thought.
Cathy Munro is not like the other girls in her small town. Inquisitive and full of spirit, she sets out on a mission to talk to God in the hope of securing her place in Heaven. So when the miracles she prays for start to happen, she’s sure she’s on the right track. But then she notices her mother is acting strangely and avoiding her questions. And why is everyone determined to stop her becoming friends with the boy next door? Could it be because he goes to a different school? Cathy soon learns that her miracles have consequences, and that life isn’t as simple as she’d once thought.
Book Week Scotland
As part of Book Week Scotland, Emma was invited along by Mid Calder Library to host an evening to celebrate our nation's love of reading. It was a fantastic evening of fun, which included plenty of audience participation.
A massive thank you to everyone who came along, as well as to the staff who stayed behind late to make sure everyone got their book signed.
As part of Book Week Scotland, Emma was invited along by Mid Calder Library to host an evening to celebrate our nation's love of reading. It was a fantastic evening of fun, which included plenty of audience participation.
A massive thank you to everyone who came along, as well as to the staff who stayed behind late to make sure everyone got their book signed.
[Untitled]
Make sure you get your hands on a copy, because it features some fantastic writers...
Make sure you get your hands on a copy, because it features some fantastic writers...
Fierce Words
A brilliant afternoon of poetry outside the Scottish Poetry Library to mark the first day of the Edinburgh Fringe.
Read more about what happened...
A brilliant afternoon of poetry outside the Scottish Poetry Library to mark the first day of the Edinburgh Fringe.
Read more about what happened...
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"A West Lothian teacher has penned a new book which was inspired by children who suffer football-related violence at home.
And while Emma says the lead character is not based on any one child, she says she hopes her novel, A Beautiful Game, will help inspire all families in similar situations to get the help they need." Continue the interview here. |
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Read the interview with Jenny Morrison from the Sunday Mail.
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"AS primary school teacher Emma Mooney listened to the football results each weekend, she admits she used to subconsciously hold her breath.
Emma wasn’t a football fan and, to her, it didn’t matter which teams won or lost. But she still feels haunted by her early years as a young teacher when she realised there were children in her class who were likely to see their mothers being beaten or be abused themselves if their father’s favourite team didn’t win." Read the whole interview here. |
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“Juggling work as a part time teacher, mother to three children and having the staying power to write and see a book through to publication is an impressive feat.
Emma deftly captures the contradictions and complications of the situation. Her deep understanding of the characters appears effortless.” |
Konect Magazine
Read the interview with Helen-Jane from Konect here. |
A Beautiful Game
"The year is 2012 and in Scotland men don't hug other men and boys don't ever tell other boys that they're missing their mum."
Robbie MacFarlane is a disappointment to his father. Named after the top striker of Hearts Football Club, his dad calls him their lucky mascot, but Robbie has two left feet and secretly spends his time in the world of books. His dad says books are for girls.
"The year is 2012 and in Scotland men don't hug other men and boys don't ever tell other boys that they're missing their mum."
Robbie MacFarlane is a disappointment to his father. Named after the top striker of Hearts Football Club, his dad calls him their lucky mascot, but Robbie has two left feet and secretly spends his time in the world of books. His dad says books are for girls.
Come along and join me at the next Woo'er With Words event.
Feel free to turn up at Coffee on Woo'er at 2 o'clock on the first Saturday of each month to hear readings from a variety of talented Scottish writers.
Feel free to turn up at Coffee on Woo'er at 2 o'clock on the first Saturday of each month to hear readings from a variety of talented Scottish writers.
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A great night was had at the recent West Lothian Writes event at Howden Park Centre. Thanks to everyone who came along. |
Living Life on the Sidelines