My latest newsletter is now available to read on substack.
Subscribe to get my newsletter direct to your inbox on the first Monday of each month.
This month: an update on the latest novel, a new series looking at Berlin locations, sailing with Elsie, and the some thoughts prompted by the election!
You can read my latest newsletter here. Subscribe to receive it straight to your inbox on the first Monday of each month.
You can read my latest newsletter here. Subscribe to receive this straight into your inbox.
What’s the best way to keep in touch with you, readers?
I’ve been thinking about this for a while, given the unpredictability of social media, and so in January 2026 I will launch a monthly newsletter.
Subscribe here to receive the very first one!
I’ll use this space to share some of the challenges and joys of my writing life, and to keep you up to date with publication news. Each month I’ll have a wee Something from Scotland segment too, because why wouldn’t I want to share the stories, culture and landscape of the amazing country where I’m lucky enough to live?
See you in January.
Flora x
What a surprise and delight it was to be awarded the Bookmark Blairgowrie Festival Silver Bookmark for Book of the Year for The Paris Peacemakers.
Bookmark Blairgowrie is a wonderful festival, so welcoming and with really interesting speakers. I enjoyed my session chatting for an hour with James Robertson all about historical fiction, and the audience seemed to enjoy it too. It was then an unexpected thrill to be awarded this lovely silver bookmark, made by Sarah Cave silversmith, for The Paris Peacemakers.
We had a lovely evening in Blackwell’s Edinburgh launching The Endeavour of Elsie Mackay! Thank you to everyone who came along, and particularly to Matthew Land for hosting and Jenny Brown for chairing.
The Endeavour of Elsie Mackay is available from publisher Allison and Busby and from all good bookshops.
Come along to Blackwell’s in Edinburgh on Wednesday 5 February for the launch event for The Endeavour of Elsie Mackay. I’ll be chatting with Jenny Brown about Elsie’s amazing story and what came next for Corran, Stella and their families. Come and join us!
Tickets from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/flora-johnston-the-endeavour-of-elsie-mackay-tickets-1200258538599
I’m delighted to be able to share news of my new novel, The Endeavour of Elsie Mackay, which will be published by Allison and Busby on 23 January 2025 and is available to pre-order now!
The novel is inspired by the true story of pioneering Scottish aviator, Elsie Mackay. We first met Elsie briefly in The Paris Peacemakers when, using the stage name Poppy Wyndham, she was forging a career as a film star. Now she has a new dream: to be the first woman to fly the Atlantic.
Meanwhile Stella feels trapped by motherhood and domesticity and longs to soar like her wealthy friend Elsie. Her sister Corran appears to be immersed her academic career but her secrets are beginning to unravel, while their mother Alison sets off on a Mediterranean cruise with unexpected consequences. Their hopes and dreams intertwine with Elsie’s remarkable story in The Endeavour of Elsie Mackay.
Pre-order The Endeavour of Elsie Mackay now in hardback or on kindle!
The paperback edition of The Paris Peacemakers will come out in October with a stylish new cover, and I’m delighted to share some events which are coming up. These are all free but ticketed: please do sign up and come along!
I’m so pleased to be taking part in the Portobello Book Festival again! I’ll be part of a panel on Women in Historical Fiction along Jane Anderson, author of The Paintress, and Sue Lawrence, author of Lady’s Rock. The panel will be chaired by Joanne Baird of the wonderful Portobello Book Blog. It should be a really interesting discussion. Tickets are available from Portobello Library.
Then on Wednesday 9 October at 6pm I’ll be in conversation with Helen Graham, author of The Real Mackay, at Edinburgh Central Library, chaired by Susan Elsley. In an event of interest to writers and readers alike, we’ll be talking about finding inspiration in family stories and using these to create historical fiction. Tickets are available here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/edinburgh/edinburgh-central-library-george-washington-browne-room/flora-johnston-and-helen-graham-in-conversation-family-stories-in-historical-fiction/e-eqvpyq
And I’m excited on Tuesday 12 November to be celebrating the launch of the paperback in the fabulous HTA Design Studio at 75 Wallis Road, London at 6 for 6.30pm. I’ll be in conversation with Lisa Highton of Jenny Brown Associates. Tickets available soon.
Hope to see you there!
Flora Johnston 