Margaret Kirk

Editor

Award-winning author

Crime / Thriller / Action

Paranormal

Margaret Kirk is the award-winning author of novels and short stories. She writes Highland Noir – Scottish fiction with a gothic twist, set in and around her home city of Inverness.

Her debut novel, Shadow Man (Orion), the first in the DI Lukas Mahler series, won the Good Housekeeping First Novel Competition in 2016. The second, What Lies Buried, was published in 2019, and the third, In The Blood, in 2021.

Margaret is also the writer of several award-winning short stories. Still Life was broadcast on Radio 4 as part of their ‘Scottish Shorts’ series, and The Seal Singers (Das Lied der Seehunde) has been published in translation in Germany and Switzerland.

Find Margaret on Twitter here: @HighlandWriter , and find more information on her website.

If you’d like to work with Margaret, get in touch with our Writer Support team; tell us about your book and what you’d like support with, and we’ll help you identify your next steps.

Honest and incisive feedback

“Margaret read my first book, Going Dark, and offered honest and incisive feedback on the plot, pacing and prose. Her advice was crucial in me securing a publishing contract.”

– Neil Lancaster, best-selling author of the Tom Novak series

Renewed faith in my book

"I wasn't expecting such a speedy and helpful reply, packed with good advice... I shall always be grateful for the advice so far. It has given me renewed faith in my book and my ability as a writer. I had almost given up before."

- Cathy Y

Advice which really clicked

"I want to thank you once again for your advice. I know I paid for your services, however, you gave me a couple of pieces of advice which really clicked with me and enabled me to write the novel that I wanted to, and for that I would like to thank you."

- Sue Tort

A worthwhile investment

"Thank you for your evaluation of Twilight On The Gulf. I found it insightful and I appreciate the specificity. You confirmed some of my doubts and opened my eyes to other areas that need work. Also, it helped to have a woman's perspective. I'm happy you thought the plot was intriguing, and overall I feel motivated by your comments. This was a worthwhile investment--I'm glad they assigned the manuscript to you."

- Robert Wicker

Encouraging

"Thank you for the professional and detailed report you have compiled on my novel. Your overall comments are really encouraging, and the points you have raised on character and plot are all valid."

- E. Olgeirsson

Completely inspiring

"I really appreciated Margaret's feedback and found the process completely inspiring, I would recommend her as an editor wholeheartedly."

- Jayne A.

Invaluable

"I very much appreciated the close attention that Margaret was able to give to my novel, the encouraging remarks that she made and, above all, the recommendations she made for further improvement. Margaret was able to pinpoint a particular aspect of my writing which required attention, something which I found invaluable."

- Jeremy W.

Considered and helpful

"Thank you so much for your very considered and helpful report. I knew there were probably some weak areas in my manuscript and it was very useful to have them pointed out, so I now know what to work on."

- Mary M.

Given me confidence

"The feedback given during the developmental edit answered all the questions I had and has given me confidence that I'm heading in the right direction with how I approach the next draft."

- Jack R.

Brilliant suggestions

"I loved your review and appreciate your time very much. I am humbled when I read your insightful critique and brilliant suggestions."

- Steve B.

Provided editorial feedback for 'Going Dark'

Best-selling author

Margaret worked with Neil on the first book in his Tom Novak series, which was then published by Burning Chair Publishing.

Learn more

Margaret's specialties

Fiction

Crime / Thriller / Action

Fantasy

Paranormal

Why we love Margaret

Neil Lancaster, bestselling author of the Tom Novak series, says: ‘Margaret offered honest and incisive feedback on my first book. Her advice was crucial in me securing a publishing contract’.

What Margaret says about editing

I know from personal experience just how invaluable it can be to get feedback on your writing – and just how much of a difference the right kind of feedback at the right time can make.

I hadn’t been writing for long when I attended a crime-writing course tutored by the amazing Val McDermid. I had no idea whether my work was any good and I had zero confidence, but her perceptive comments and encouragement gave me the boost I needed to keep going. So when I won the Good Housekeeping First Novel Competition, I promised myself I would do whatever I could to help others in return.

Whatever your eventual writing goal is, my aim is to give you the tools you need to take the next steps towards it. I’ll offer honest and supportive feedback, in clear and concise language, based on everything I’ve learned since my first book was published.

I’m particularly fond of crime or suspense with a gothic vibe/hint of the supernatural.

By purchasing any of these products, you'll have the opportunity to express your interest in working with Margaret.