ONE of the world’s most prolific and best-loved authors, Alexander McCall Smith (pictured), will be speaking in Maleny this Friday at Outspoken. For many years “Sandy” as he is known, was a professor of Medical Law and worked in universities in the UK and abroad before turning his hand to writing fiction.
He has written and contributed to more than 100 books, including specialist academic titles, short story collections, and a number of immensely popular children’s books.
His first book, The White Hippo, a children’s book, was published in 1980.
But it was the publication of the highly successful The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, 25 years ago, that made Sandy a household name. The series has now sold over 20 million copies in the English language alone, and since the books took off, he has devoted his time to writing. His various series of books have been translated into 46 languages.
These include the popular 44 Scotland Street novels, first published as a serial novel in the Scotsman newspaper and now the longest-running serial novel in the world; the Isabel Dalhousie novels, and the von Igelfeld series.
He is also the author of the Corduroy Mansions series, which started life as an engaging cross-media serial written for the Telegraph online. And most recently, he launched the Ulf Varg series of Scandi blanc novels set in Sweden.
Also speaking this Friday will be clinical psychologist and researcher, Dr James Kirby, who has recently published “Choose Compassion.” Dr Kirby brings together hard science and real-life examples to offer a guide to a more compassionate life and society.
Kirby debunks the myth that compassion is simply a feeling and shows us how it is a motivational force that can shape our behaviour and relationships with each other and the world.
He considers how it might help with self-criticism, parenting, and grief, and he explores what part artificial intelligence might play in a compassionate future.
Kirby traverses philosophy, psychology, and pop culture to show how we can choose compassion to make our lives healthier, happier, and more meaningful.
Friday, March 10. Tickets from $18: outspokenmaleny.com
