Suzanne McNeill

I came across Dorothy Dunnett in a branch of WH Smith, at London’s Elephant and Castle railway station. Dawdling on my way to work, I spotted the newly published paperback edition of Niccolò Rising on a display table, flicked through it, then, gripping it tightly, marched over to the bookshelves where I found all six Lymond Chronicles. Having been addicted to historical fiction since my teens, particularly novels set in the Middle Ages, I was thrilled to discover a ‘new’ author who wrote such intelligent, brilliantly researched and literary works, whose complex plots kept the reader guessing, and whose characters (amongst many other virtues) had a sense of humour. And, best of all, there were lots of them! By the time I’d devoured Niccolò Rising, and read my way through The Lymond Chronicles, The Spring of the Ram had been published. From then, it was a two-year wait for each new book, and, living in Edinburgh, I was fortunate to hear Dunnett speak at the Book Festival a couple of times.

At one of the talks, Dunnett mentioned the Society (known then as the DDRA) and I joined immediately. In 2010, I learned that the Society was advertising for an editor for Whispering Gallery and I volunteered for the role, which I have filled since then.

As editor, I am responsible for co-ordinating the content of our magazine as well as setting and designing each issue and overseeing the production. In this I am supported by Editor’s Assistant, Heather Jacobson, and our terrific proofreading team. The role has expanded to included the design of our Dunnett travel guides series, two collections of Dunnett’s writing and various items of merchandise, as well as any print work required by the Board or the Weekend Team.

Alongside the role of Trustee, this all adds up to a near full-time commitment. But it’s one I enjoy enormously: I love the connection we have as Dunnett readers and have met so many wonderful people from all around the world, many of whom I now count as good friends. I am proud of our publications, to which so many of our members contribute their time, their knowledge and skill; and best of all I am still enthralled by the novels of our favourite author.