Gabrielle Barnby, author and creative practitioner, Orkney.
Gabrielle Barnby is an author and creative practitioner based in Orkney.
She writes novels, short stories, reviews and poetry, and also encourages creativity in others through community events and workshops.
Archipelago is the story of one woman, and many lives. The narrative stretches from rural turn of the century Orkney to contemporary Oxford University. This novel has taken over half a decade of writing, editing and generous support. Now released with Sparsile Books.
Dr Harriet Wolf–scholar, exile, breaker of taboos–has fled. Her career in ruins after an affair with a student. Seeking refuge in Erskine, a renovated croft steeped in old ghosts and past betrayals, she finds herself reluctantly drawn into the rhythms of island life. From the enigmatic members of the local stoat-trapping team to those carrying their own burdens of love and loss, lives collide in acts of rescue, punishment and escape.
Available in bookshops across the UK and both as eBook and Paperback
Across The Silent Sea – Esther’s dreams of a glamorous life in London are shattered when she has a serious accident which leaves her with life-changing injuries. Living in her childhood home in Orkney, she retreats into a silent world until Marcus, a musician down on his luck, comes to stay on the island and reaches out to her through his music. Described in rich, subtle detail – town, land and sea – in sharply observed and lyrical excitement, Esther’s inner voice explores what it means to have one’s dreams shattered.
Previous publications include The Oystercatcher Girl, a narrative set in the wild landscape of the Orkney Islands, spiced with mystery, danger and romance. The House with the Lilac Shutters and other stories is a collection of short fiction set in the warm foothills of the Pyrenees and delves into the secrets and passions of interconnected lives.
I have also published several poetry collections including , On A Bright Breeze and Wayfarers. My aim is to create collections that are personal and accessible, to craft poems that are provoking and pleasurable to share. My 100 verse tribute Peace-Land commemorates the 100th anniversary of the first world war and follows the internment and scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet in Scapa Flow, Orkney.
‘There are always imperfections, they are my troublesome companions on the road to insight.
I couldn’t go anywhere without them.’
Every day we imagine life outside our own experience. My passion is to transform these glimpses into poetry and narratives that stir the imagination.
I have facilitated writing for those on the Creative Writing BA (Hons) at the University of the Highlands and Islands, hosted sessions for individuals living with dementia and chronic physical and long-term mental health conditions for Voluntary Action Orkney and Age Scotland Orkney. I have also organised community arts events in Orkney with Stromness Writing Group and have been Programme Leader for Wirdsmit, Orkney’s writing group for children and young people. I am BRAW WORDS Makar for the Hampden Collection.
When you read my work please leave a review somewhere, they are essential encouragement and make a huge difference to small publishers such as Sparsile, Orkneyology and Thunderpoint.
If you would like to enquire about facilitation services please find me Facebook.
Gabrielle
ARCHIPELAGO
Lives collide in acts of rescue, punishment and escape.
Across The Silent Sea
…hilariously sarcastic, witheringly dry and suddenly tender.
News
I’m delighted to be the Makar of the BRAW WORDS poetry collection at Hampden Park. Football and poetry are full of passion, they lift people up and out of their daily lives. You can listen, watch, cheer and play. You can be a fan or be a dreamer. You can try out new tricks, practice and come back again.
CHRISTMAS EVENT *Free-on line writing workshop* with Gabrielle Barnby and Sparsile Books 13th Dec, 7-8pm
‘Hearing new voices, imagining different lives’ Tickets here
On 18th November I will be co-hosting the Scottish Highlands and Islands Poetry Society (SHIPS) on-line launch.
ACROSS THE SILENT SEA – by Gabrielle Barnby
New Summer release with Sparsile books
New short story The Bikko in Northwords Now Spring/Summer 2023
New poetry in Pushing Out The Boat, Issue 17.
UNESCO RILA Spring School 2023: The Arts of Integrating – CULTURE CEILIDH
Primo Poetica 42 – The Oystercatchers Call Full Time
Pleased to contribute a poem to Mind the Links, Golf Memories. All proceeds go to supporting individuals living with dementia and memory loss. Tippermuir Books.
Press and Journal April 23, 2022, ‘New public artwork takes its place in Stromness’s George Mackay Brown community garden’ Read full article here.
Fantastic to hear my participants reading their own words in this Radio Orkney feature on ‘Raindrops in the Fire’ a collection of creative conversations, memories and poetry from the Dementia Hub, Age Scotland Orkney.
Excited to be involved in this Culture Collective panel
Nourish: Health and Wellbeing
Fantastic to be celebrating Scottish Book Week and the George Mackay Brown centenary by playing my part in The Wondrous Scarf a creative writing workshop with participants from as far as Boston and across the UK.
NEW RELEASE – Beyond the Swelkie, an anthology celebrating the centenary of George Mackay Brown from Tippermuir Books. Honoured to have two new poems included, both inspired by a visit to the GMB’s grave.
Read my piece ‘The Zoo’ in New Flash Fiction Review.
I also have new writing in Pushing Out The Boat, Issue 16.
Launch Sunday 16th May.
Very happy to have a poem in the snazzy new look issue of The New Shetlander
Delighted to read two poems from A Way Out, And a Way In at Stanza Poetry Festival Open Mic.
Football and poetry – passionate bedfellows. Thrilled to have The Green Deck included in #primopoetica as part of The Hampden Collection
Pleased to see my piece on protecting creativity featuring in the very first issue of the UHI LitSoc New Beginnings magazine.
New release from Stromness Writing Group, ‘again to get up’ lockdown haiku.
The Oystercatcher Girl, excerpt in The Scotsman newspaper.
New Writing
Gold – A poem inspired by Orkney 2025 Island Games
Team Lifeblood – Scottish football legends, from BRAW WORDS prompt #1
RHINO – for the endangered, lonely, lovely Javan Rhino
Gratitudes – a list poem composed after creative sessions with individuals living with dementia, staff, family and friends at Age Scotland Orkney.
Wayfarers – new poems inspired by the George Mackay Brown centenary artwork collaboration
Magnificat – Part of the Words into Music project to celebrate the George Mackay Brown centenary.
Red – inspired by audio recording from Orkney Archive
The Tern – Inspired by the birds around the Peedie Sea.
A Countrywoman’s Diary written for The Heart and Soul of Orkney autumn Foy.
Stromness Per Mare street name acrostic
Poems written to celebrate Magnus 900.
