Carrie Kills A Man: A Memoir

Product Information

The book does come somewhat full circle when you recall meeting someone at Category Is Books in Glasgow, and hearing about their life as a young LGBTQ+ person. How do you feel things have changed since your own youth? Do you feel hopeful for the future? The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg et al Non-fiction: Narrative BOOK OF THE YEAR supported by The Big Issue carrieplaysguitar takes us on her journey to self acceptance, to freeing herself and letting the world see her for her fabulous self! The book has sadness of course but what it also has is pure joy. Joy through music, video games, books, family, fashion faux pas, mishaps and freedom. At times I was angry of course. Angry at the treatment of the trans community in society (JEEZO WHY DO PEOPLE THINK IT’S OK TO HURL ABUSE AT SOMEONE WALKING DOWN THE STREET!?), statistics surrounding waiting times for healthcare and so much more. This book not only entertains but educates in a very accessible way. That’s important if we want people to understand eh? 😍 Throughout the book, Carrie discusses and highlights the non-linear process of transition and how what we feel and allow ourselves to feel is shaped by our environment and the information we have. I think this recognition is really powerful as it really highlights that how we feel can evolve as our environment changes and as our knowledge about something increases. A reminder that visibility truly does matter and can be life changing. If you’re looking for a book that cuts through all the noise and takes you on a journey that explores the very personal realities of being transgender in Scotland and the UK but also discusses the social commentary and history in a way that feels really open and accessible then this is the book for you.

Carrie was .net magazine’s longest standing contributor, and with good reason. Carrie consistently turns in great copy, and writes with wit and authority without ever being patronising. I’d happily recommend Carrie for any tech-related wordiness”I think being Scottish means I’m just naturally drawn to that – we Scots are brilliant at mining comedy from pretty dark seams sometimes, and we’ll tell the most horrendously embarrassing stories to make our friends laugh. I’ve done that all my life, so it was natural to do it in the book too.

Until COVID put live music on hold I co-wrote and co-presented the podcast for Scottish Women Inventing Music,an organisation that’s focused on levelling the playing field for women in every part of the music industry in Scotland. I’ve also appeared as a guest on several podcasts, including A Sonic Hug and Damian Barr’s Literary Salon. Speaking and songwritingI prefer writing to standing up in front of lots of people, but in the last few years I’ve discovered the joy of book festivals and book groups, delivered several university lectures about internet regulation and been one of the speakers at an event about LGBT+ healthcare. I’ve also appeared on some podcasts and online radio shows to help raise awareness of mental health issues. Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne by Katherine Rundell Audiobook: Fiction BOOK OF THE YEAR It’s been really interesting and a little bit strange, especially with some of the more difficult memories: you’re taking things that used to cause you great shame and sometimes pain and putting them out there for others to see and potentially judge you for. There were definitely times when I had to ask myself, ‘are you really sure you want people to know about this?’ I had a bit of a wobble when people I knew started posting photos of the book: ‘Oh god! They’re going to know EVERYTHING!’ But I’ve been really delighted by the response so far, because it seems to be really connecting with people. And that was always my wish. When more people think they’ve seen a ghost than met a trans person, it’s easy for bad actors to exploit that – and they do, as you can see from the headlines and online. But here’s the reality, from someone who’s living it. From coming out and navigating trans parenthood to the thrills of gender-bending pop stars, fashion disasters and looking like Velma Dinkley, this is a tale of ripping it up and starting again: Carrie’s story in all its fearless, frank and funny glory.