New Year, New Thresholds: Join Jamie Wallace at Bookends Book Festival on January 3rd, 2026 for a talk on "My Self-Publishing Journey".

I am thrilled to announce my first event of 2026! On Saturday, January 3rd, I’ve been invited to the scenic highland village of Benderloch to give an informal talk at the Bookends Book Festival.

This event feels like a true "threshold" moment for me. As we shake off the Hogmanay celebrations, I’ll be looking back on the journey of self-publishing my first book, The Way That Loved Me Back, while looking forward to a busy year ahead—including the next installment of the Callum Jackson Adventure Series and a new Gaelic poetry collection inspired by my Couchsurfing days in Glasgow’s Southside.

A Community Heartbeat in the Reading Room

If you haven’t visited before, the Bookends Book Festival is a gem of a charity run entirely by passionate volunteers. Based in the Reading Room at the Victory Hall, it’s a cozy, welcoming space where people of all ages can borrow a book, enjoy some home baking, and have a proper catch-up over a cuppa.

 * Festival Hours: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
 * My Talk & Q&A: 2:00 pm
 * Signed Copies: I will have books available for sale and signing throughout the afternoon.

From the Car Boot to the Podium

The invitation for this talk actually grew from a leap of faith back in November. I took a pitch at the Benderloch "car boot" sale in the same hall, where I was lucky enough to be supported by a fellow trader and his wife. Having once done retail merchandising for the legendary John Smith’s in Glasgow (a shop I spent many hours in during my youth), his creative eye helped me sell ten books that afternoon and make some incredible new connections.

Stepping out of my comfort zone wasn't easy, but the confidence to do so came from the 80+ friends and family members who have supported me so far. Your feedback has been my anchor as I navigate the literary scene and push through personal barriers following the challenges of the Covid years.

Let’s Share Some Wisdom

I’m not just there to talk—I’m there to listen. I hope to reach out for some "audience wisdom" during the Q&A to gather new perspectives on writing and storytelling. Whether you are a fellow writer, a reader, or just someone looking for a warm afternoon in a beautiful village, I would love to see you there.

Will you be in the Argyll area this January?

 I'd love to see you in Benderloch at the Reading Room!

​About the Author
​

Jamie Wallace is a former Gaelic columnist and rising Scottish author and poet based in the Highlands. After navigating the personal and creative challenges of the post-Covid landscape, they successfully self-published their debut book, The Way That Loved Me Back, in 2025.

​With a background influenced by the vibrant literary culture of Glasgow—and a lifelong love for travel, languages, culture and exploration—his writing often explores themes of community, adventure, and human connection.

​Currently, he is working on the next installment of the Callum Jackson Adventure Series and a collection of Gaelic poetry documenting a unique chapter of life spent Couchsurfing in a Glasgow Southside tenement. 

When not writing, he can be found wandering the hills preparing for his next long distance challenge, practicing his Gaelic language skills or exploring the rugged beauty of Argyll.

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