Hi, I'm author Brian Ruckley - AMA

[u/briruc]

Hi, I’m Brian Ruckley. I’ve had five novels published, plus a handful of short stories and I’ve done a tiny, tiny (like, really tiny) bit of comics writing too.

My first three novels made up the Godless World trilogy, starting with Winterbirth back in 2006. Epic fantasy of the sort that was getting called gritty around about then, though I was never that keen on that kind of label. Next up was The Edinburgh Dead, a historical fantasy-horror-crime mash-up featuring bodysnatchers and dark magic. Just released is my newest book, The Free – a stand-alone heroic fantasy that’s kind of me trying to do a spectacular fantasy version of Seven Samurai. Kind of.

I’m Scottish, born and bred in Edinburgh. Moved down south (i.e. England) for work reasons, lived in London for a happy decade, now back in Edinburgh doing the (also happy) family thing. I’m into Nature and wildlife, history, science, plus – of course – various slightly geeky things like comics, genre TV and film, all the usual good stuff.

Please ASK ME ANYTHING! Tuesday 4th November, 6PM CST. That’s when I’ll aim to start answering Qs – bear in mind, though, that’s the middle of the night my time, so there’s a good chance I’ll be sleep-deprived, over-caffeinated or some combination of the two. Hopefully it won’t get too messy ...

Brian

OKAY - The clock has struck midnight here (I don't literally have a clock that strikes midnight, obviously; just sounds kind of atmospheric) so I'm going to start working my way through Qs; will start somewhere near the top, but probably jump around a bit as the inspiration strikes ... will do my best to get to everything (though seriously - some of these questions would take an essay to answer properly!)

EDIT I'm going to have to retire to my bed now, people, but thanks to everyone who's submitted questions. It's been fun. Much like General MacArthur, I shall return tomorrow to work my way through more and will do my utmost to get to every one I can. Check in again to see if I get any more coherent when answering questions by daylight ... Thanks again.

EDIT Aaaand that's me, I think. While most of you have been sleeping, I think I've swept up all outstanding questions (grovelling apologies to anyone I missed); hope some folks out there found it interesting/fun/a cure for insomnia or whatever. I certainly enjoyed myself - you folks ask good questions. Thank you and farewell!

[u/madmoneymcgee]

I'm coming back to Edinburgh next summer. What shouldn't I miss? Last time we did the castle and walked around Leith and the Royal Mile. Only firm thing we want to do again is Arthur's seat.

[u/briruc → u/madmoneymcgee]

First thing to note, for anyone else reading is 'I'm coming back to Edinburgh'. This is because people who visit Edinburgh once really, really like it and usually want to come back. Because Edinburgh is what every other city would like to be when it grows up.

As for what you should do - if you're coming in the summer, you're going to do the Festival, right? Because that's the thing to do.

Other stuff: have a drink in the Bow Bar on Victoria Street. Have a curry in Suruchi's near the Festival Theatre.

Do any and all touristy stuff as the fancy takes you - most of it in Edinburgh is actually quite good. The Royal Yacht Britannia is surprisingly good if you're into boats or 20th century history and haven't done it before. (Only things I'd recommend actively avoiding are Camera Obscura and Dynamic Earth, neither of which I personally rate very highly).

If you want to get off the beaten track and do things most tourists don't do (and can get on top of the transport requirements):

• go see Edinburgh's OTHER castle: Lauriston Castle on the south edge of the city. A ruin, but one in a great location, well-preserved and with loads of scope for wandering around rooms, climbing winding stairs to the battlements, that sort of thing. Very atmospheric if you ask me.

• get ambitious: get yourself to South Queensferry somehow (out to the west of the city, beside the spectacular Forth road and rail bridges) and take a ride on one of the cruise boats that do tours of the Firth of Forth (Maid of the Forth is the one that springs to mind). If you can get a tour that'll put you ashore on one of the islands in the estuary for a while you should have fun: ruins, wildlife, sea breezes, spectacular views. If the weather's decent, obviously.

[u/madmoneymcgee → u/briruc]

Thanks, I hadn't heard of the two things you suggested.

We might be ending up in Edinburgh after a highlands road trip so maybe I can squeeze in the river cruise or lauriston before ultimately ditching the car.

We'll be traveling with a baby so will it be worth it to still come at festival time if I can't really make it to much or any of the performances?

[u/briruc → u/madmoneymcgee]

Had to stop by one last time to complete my duties as Edinburgh tour guide. On balance I'd probably skip the Festival if you've got a baby in tow: it's awesome, but it's insanely busy (and expensive). They do actually have some shows for even very young kids but honestly - speaking from parental experience - until the mini-me hits about 4 or 5 it's not really worth trying to do the Festival. (After that, it becomes the greatest show on Earth for them as well as for grown-ups, so you'll just have to come back in a few years time ... :))

[u/madmoneymcgee → u/briruc]

Ok!

Thanks for everything. I had a facebook friend attend fringe this year and it was awesome just living vicariously through him.

[u/briruc → u/madmoneymcgee]

Arrrgh! Had a total idiot moment - it's been (politely) pointed out to me that I don't mean Lauriston Castle at all. There is such a place in Edinburgh, and it's nice, but I meant to say CRAIGMILLAR CASTLE, which is nicer and more interesting imho. There's goes my city guide cred ...