Author Eirinie Carson in conversation with Kristin Pedroja to discuss her new maternal gothic novel, Bloodfire, Baby, on 19 May, 19.00 – 20.30! Access info.
The Edinburgh Bookshop has partnered with SBWN to offer tickets to SBWN members (Black writers and writers of colour) who may otherwise be unable to attend:
- 4 x in-person tickets (worth £5 each)
Tickets will be allocated randomly to applicants. SBWN will email each winner to let them know the outcome by 18 May.
SBWN will share your name and email with The Edinburgh Bookshop and they will add your name to the list.
To be in with a chance of receiving a free ticket, please enter below.
Enter for a chance to win
The form will close at 23:59 on 17 May.
Travel, Childcare and Data Bursaries
Please note that SBWN also has a limited number of travel, childcare and data bursaries available for SBWN members on a low income, even if you do not receive a free ticket.
If you do not need a ticket and plan to attend and require a bursary, complete our form.
Note: We can only provide travel bursaries for travel within Scotland.
Bursaries issued by SBWN for Cymera Festival 2026 are:
- Travel bursary (up to £50)
- Childcare bursary (up to £30 per day needed, max £90)
- Data bursary (up to £8)
About the book
Sofie is losing her grip. She planned on being the perfect mother, and nothing like her own who raised her to fear the world. But when Sofie’s husband leaves for an extended work trip and she is left with their three-week old daughter, it’s not long before loneliness and anxiety manifest into something else – paranoia and sleep-deprived madness.
Who is the shadow stalking her in the night?
With a bloodline that dates back to 1700s colonised Jamaica, Sofie, the eldest daughter of a long line of eldest daughters begins to wonder if its her past that is haunting her. Who owns the face that appears beside her in the mirror? Whatever, there’s nothing she won’t do to protect her baby…
About the author
Eirinie Carson is a Black British writer living in California. She is a mother of two children and sits on the boards of both The Writers Grotto and Mesa Refuge. Her work has appeared in LitHub, Mother Magazine, The Notre Dame Review, Mortal Mag, Electric Literature, The Sonora Review and others. She was the NEA Distinguished Fellow at the Hambidge Center. She and her work have been supported by the Virginia Center for Creative Arts, Hedgebrook and the Wassaic Project. Eirinie contributes to her local paper, The Argus Courier, via a column, Eirinie Asks. A short story, One Last Thing, was Highly Commended by the 2025 Bridport Prize.
Eirinie’s first book, The Dead Are Gods, was critically acclaimed by Oprah Daily, Nylon Magazine, Shondaland and The Washington Post as well as winning a Zibby Award. It was also named one of Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2023.
Shop Eirinie's Books
The links included in this blog use our Bookshop.org affiliate link. As a bookshop.org affiliate, we earn 10% on sales. By using our affiliate link to buy any books you help support us and all funds earned go towards supporting our mission.