CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Lesley McDowell Launches Clairmont

Come and joining Glasgow author Lesley McDowell as she launches her third novel, Clairmont at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street!

Lesley McDowell Launches Clairmont

About Lesley McDowell Launches Clairmont

Claire Clairmont – the incredible woman that history tried to forget.
But in the year that will mark the 200 year anniversary of Lord Byron's death, Claire will finally find her voice, and tell her side of the story of that fateful Geneva trip.

Geneva.
They always come back to it, somehow.
They're the only ones who know what took place there.
1816. A massive volcanic eruption has caused the worst storms that Europe has seen in decades, yet Percy and Mary Shelley have chosen to visit the infamous Lord Byron at his villa on Lake Geneva. It wasn't their idea: Mary's eighteen year old step-sister, Claire Clairmont, insisted.
But the reason for Claire's visit is more pressing than a summer escape with the most famous writers in the world. She's pregnant with Byron's child – a child Byron doesn't want, and scarcely believes is his.
Claire has the world in her grasp. This trip should have given her everything she ever dreamed of. But within days, her life will be in ruins.
History has all but forgotten her story – but she will not be silenced.

‘An absorbing, intoxicating page-turner about a woman who deserves to be remembered.’
JENNIFER SAINT

Lesley McDowell’s debut novel The Picnic came out in 2007. In 2010 she published Between the Sheets: The Literary Liaisons of Nine 20th-Century Women Writers, which was shortlisted for the non-fiction prize in the 2011 Scottish Book Awards. Her second novel Unfashioned Creatures, about Mary Shelley's Scottish childhood friend, was published in 2013. Lesley was a literary critic for The Herald, The Scotsman, The Independent, TLS and others. She has a PhD on the work of James Joyce, and has won three Creative Scotland writers' bursaries. Clairmont is her third novel.

Sponsored Links

Hilton Glasgow
East Renfrewshire Culture
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
City Sightseeing Glasgow
Tea Green
King Pins
Glasgow Marriott

Other Events at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street

Louise Welsh in conversation: The Cut Up

29th January 2026

Join Louise Welsh at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street as she launches The Cut Up featuring the gay auctioneer Rilke from the previous award winning novels.

READ MORE

Jess Robinson in conversation: Life Is Rosi

5th February 2026

Join Jess Robinson at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street as she discusses her latest book, a fresh and fun family history following the lives of her and her German Jewish Grandmother, Rosi.

READ MORE

Keza MacDonald in conversation: Super Nintendo

12th February 2026

Super Nintendo finds lifelong gamer Keza MacDonald exploring Nintendo's legendary roster of games, join her in store at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street as she discusses her new book!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

The Quay
Open Pass Scotland
Glasgow Science Centre
Children's Classic Concerts
City Of Glasgow Chorus
Fayre Play
Media Shop

Similar events you might like...

Books at the Botanics

Books at the Botanics

Selected dates between 1st February 2025 - 14th December 2025

Glasgow's Book Fair, Books at the Botanics, is held every month in the Hopkirk building at Glasgow's Botanic Gardens!

READ MORE
Book Signing: Julie and Greg - Jules and Greg’s Wild Swim

Book Signing: Julie and Greg - Jules and Greg’s Wild Swim

6th December 2025

Waterstones Glasgow Fort are delighted to welcome Greg Hemphill and Julie Wilson Nimmo in to the store to sign their new book - Jules and Greg's Wild Swim!

READ MORE
Louise Welsh in conversation: The Cut Up

Louise Welsh in conversation: The Cut Up

29th January 2026

Join Louise Welsh at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street as she launches The Cut Up featuring the gay auctioneer Rilke from the previous award winning novels.

READ MORE
Jess Robinson in conversation: Life Is Rosi

Jess Robinson in conversation: Life Is Rosi

5th February 2026

Join Jess Robinson at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street as she discusses her latest book, a fresh and fun family history following the lives of her and her German Jewish Grandmother, Rosi.

READ MORE
Keza MacDonald in conversation: Super Nintendo

Keza MacDonald in conversation: Super Nintendo

12th February 2026

Super Nintendo finds lifelong gamer Keza MacDonald exploring Nintendo's legendary roster of games, join her in store at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street as she discusses her new book!

READ MORE
Dungeon Crawler Carl

Dungeon Crawler Carl

17th March 2026

New York Times bestselling author Matt Dinniman and legendary voice actor Jeff Hays will bring their highly anticipated Dungeon Crawler Carl LIVE TOUR to the Glee Club Glasgow on Tuesday 17th March!

READ MORE

Find other events in Glasgow

Sponsored Links

Hilton Glasgow
East Renfrewshire Culture
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
City Sightseeing Glasgow
Tea Green
King Pins
Glasgow Marriott
The Quay
Open Pass Scotland
Glasgow Science Centre
Children's Classic Concerts
City Of Glasgow Chorus
Fayre Play
Media Shop

Popular Events

Glasgow’s Winter Wonderland
Glasgow's Winter Wonderland, the city's most anticipated festive celebration, will transform Glasgow Green and St Enoch Square into enchanting winter wonderlands of light, laughter and seasonal cheer!
Boys Like Girls
Alt-pop favourites Boys Like Girls embark on a run of UK headline dates for 'The Soundtrack Of Your Life Tour', including a night at the O2 Academy Glasgow on Wednesday 15th July!
Clydeside Christmas Village
Get ready for something truly special this winter... introducing Clydeside Christmas Village, arriving in Glasgow for the very first time between Saturday 29th November and Sunday 4th January!
Ashton Lane Hogmanay Street Party
The Ashton Lane Hogmanay Street Party is back for 2025 and it's going to be bigger and better than ever, tickets are going fast so pick up yours today!
Jock and the Beanstalk
Come and join your favourite Pavilion pals for a GIANT of a panto with the fabulous festive adventure Jock and the Beanstalk!

Popular Listings

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro