Welcome
An author and community gatherer, I write across genres, with work widely published and broadcast on the BBC.
My books are The Hidden Fires: A Cairngorms Journey with Nan Shepherd, and the novels Of Stone and Sky, set in Scotland, and A House Called Askival, set in India. In 2026 I was shortlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award for Burning Bush.
I was the first Writer in Residence for the Cairngorms National Park, where I live, and my experiences of the area feature in multiple publications including the Guardian Country Diary.
I am also an experienced workshop leader, storyteller and project manager. I tutor creative writing, perform my work and facilitate community activities including co-founding and hosting Storylands Sessions.
This site gives you windows into my life and work: explore to find out about my books and other writing, events, latest updates and publications and how we can work together. I’d love to hear from you. You can contact me by email and join me on Substack, Facebook or Instagram.
Best of all, sign up for my letter called The Shared Way to walk the journey with me and you will receive the text of a BBC Radio 4 short story free!
My publisher is Birlinn Books and my agent is Cathryn Summerhayes of Curtis Brown.
I grew up internationally and seek stories that bring the world together. Thank you for being here.
Merryn
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The Hidden Fires
A Cairngorms Journey with Nan Shepherd
Of Stone and Sky
Novel set in the Highlands of Scotland
Awarded Book of the Year by The Bookmark Book Festival
Longlisted for the Highland Book Prize
After shepherd Colvin Munro disappears, a mysterious trail of his twelve possessions leads into the Cairngorm mountains. His foster sister Mo and prodigal brother Sorley are driven to discover the forces that led to his disappearance. As a former church minister and current owner of the Ferryman Inn, Mo thinks she knows everyone’s story: Colvin’s Traveller mother, alcoholic war-scarred father, Bolivian wife, musician daughter, bird-obsessed son, his friends and foes. Sorley, returning home from his life in the City, brings unsettling revelations.
A House Called Askival
Novel set in a Himalayan hill-station
Set in North India and spanning 70 years of recent history through the lives of one family, A House Called Askival is ultimately the story of a rebel daughter and her father seeking reconciliation before he dies.
James Connor, burdened with guilt from a tragedy during Partition in 1947, has dedicated his life to serving India. His estranged daughter, Ruth, believing she came second to her American parents’ missionary calling, rebelled as a teenager. This triggered her own devastating experience during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, following the assassination of Indira Gandhi.
A House Called Askival: "What the best historical fiction should be: the individual story from the heart of great events. Excellent."
Jonathan Falla, author of The Craft of Fiction
Of Stone and Sky: "A rich stew of a novel, one with a Victorian complexity of plot, a family saga which is also a socio-economic survey of Highland history ... a considerable achievement."
Allan Massie, The Scotsman
Latest
“Thanks so much for coming to run such a skilful and appropriate session at the conference. It was beautifully crafted and delivered.”
Dr Roland Spencer-Jones Associate Advisor in Medical Education, NHS Education for Scotland
"Merryn’s session on Of Stone and Sky was inspiring and enthralling. She captivated her audience and it was a pleasure to have her in the library."
Sally Hughes Highland Library Services
"Thank you for all your contributions to the CALA Book Week Scotland celebrations. It was just fantastic to collaborate with you to encourage families to keep telling stories, whoever they are and whatever age they are!"
Family Practitioner Care & Learning Alliance
"Merryn is one of the best workshop leaders I have ever come across. Not only is she creative, her organisational abilities are second to none and her positivity is infectious."
Keren McKean Scotland Producer, Green Space Dark Skies project
“‘Shared Stories: A Year in the Cairngorms’ was a great success, in no small part due to Merryn Glover. Her passion and enthusiasm for the Cairngorms, and her ability to motivate and inspire, enabled people from all backgrounds to express their love for this beautiful area.“
Alan Smith Outdoor Learning Manager, Cairngorms National Park
Merryn always makes participants feel so welcome and opens up such a safe space to explore, have fun and get those creative juices flowing no matter who you are or how much or little experience you have.
Participant Storylands Sessions Word Workshops
Merryn & Hamish are fantastic hosts. They create a warm, welcoming and fun atmosphere that brings people in the community together to be enriched by local culture and entertained by local talent.
Audience member Storylands Sessions Open Mic
"There has been nothing but positive feedback about the workshop. Just some of the words used have been 'refreshing, inspiring, inclusive'. You definitely created a safe space for people to relax and write in."
Co-ordinator Pen & I Writing Group, Nairn