Dr. Gillian Shirreffs Book Signing for Elephant at Waterstones Byres Road
Gillian Shirreffs has raised over £30,000 for charity through her writing, and she'll be signing copies of Elephant on Saturday 13th December at Waterstones Byres Road.
Article Source: Dr. Gillian Shirreffs
Last Updated: 4 December 2025 11:08
Gillian Shirreffs has now raised over £30,000 for charity through her writing, and she’ll be signing copies of Elephant on Saturday 13 December from 12.30–2.30pm at Waterstones Byres Road in Glasgow. If you’d like a signed copy or a meaningful gift, this is the time to go.
Gillian Shirreffs follows her bestselling debut Brodie with her new book Elephant, a raw and fearless look at illness, grief and the things you struggle to say out loud when navigating cancer. Brodie made headlines in 2023 for its sharp humour and clear voice, and for raising over £30,000 for Beatson Cancer Charity. With Elephant, the Glasgow-based writer shifts into even deeper territory, offering an unfiltered and intimate account of what happens when life changes without warning.
“Elephant is a book that found me. I’m glad that you have now found it. The book that found me is about mortality. My own mortality,” says Shirreffs. The book centres on a writer facing a breast cancer diagnosis, but it avoids the format of a traditional cancer memoir. The story unfolds through messages, emails, tweets and inner thoughts, showing the chaos, isolation, absurdity and sudden clarity that come with a life-altering diagnosis. The dry humour and emotional sharpness that made Brodie so popular run through the writing.
Shirreffs has written about illness for nearly twenty years. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2007, she began writing on bedrest when her body had slowed and her mind became her only place of movement. That early writing grew into a wider body of work exploring life in a body that misbehaves. A former HR director and English teacher, she holds a Doctor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Her thesis examined the link between physical objects and illness, an idea that runs strongly through Elephant.
The book has already attracting powerful praise. Professor Victor Montori M.D. describes it as “a masterpiece.” Elissa Soave calls it “a rare and wonderful thing… humanity and hope.”
Elephant speaks to anyone who has waited for results, sat through long silences, or struggled to find the right words. It avoids sentimentality. It focuses on friendship, memory, anger, humour and how people keep going when they’re unsure how.
Elephant is available now to order from Into Creative and Waterstones.
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Glasgow 2026 appoints National Lottery operator Allwyn as Official Volunteer Learning and Development Partner
Allwyn UK, operator of The National Lottery, has been named as the Official Volunteer Learning and Development Partner for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
READ MORE
Full programme announced for Glasgow Film Festival 2026
The 22nd edition of Scotland's largest film festival will showcase 126 films from 44 countries, with 16 World, European, and International premieres, 68 UK premieres and 18 Scottish premieres.
READ MORE
The Superlative Collection launches Wellness Month, including a guided stretching session with the Glasgow Warriors
The Superlative Collection is launching its inaugural Wellness Month in Glasgow's Princes Square shopping mall, with a series of events to start 2026 the right way.
READ MORE
Hidden coins found in The Tall Ship Glenlee as the huge masts start their journey down south tomorrow
Placing coins under the main mast before stepping, or lifting the masts, is an ancient tradition thought to bring good luck to the ship.
READ MORE
Celtic Connections celebrates a picture perfect opening weekend
Performers have wowed tens of thousands of fans across more than 80 gigs and events during the first celebratory weekend of Celtic Connections that fused international music, dance and friendship.
READ MORE
Glasgow Science Centre celebrates 25 Years with Science Late: Timewarp
As part of its year-long 25th anniversary celebrations, tickets are now available for Glasgow Science Centre's unforgettable adult-only Science Lates: Timewarp event on Friday 13 March.
READ MORE
Five unique Valentine experiences to enjoy across Scotland
With Valentine's Day falling on a Saturday this year, couples have the perfect excuse to celebrate with experiences rather than traditional gifts.
READ MORE
Celtic Connections: BEATrio to play much anticipated Glasgow show
BEATrio will play a much-anticipated show on January 31st in Glasgow's Pavillion Theatre, during the famed Celtic Connections Festival.
READ MORE
DF Concerts summer events generate 164.5million for Scottish economy
DF Concerts has today announced that its programme of summer 2025 live music events generated £164.6 million in total economic impact for Scotland.
READ MORE
The Glencairn Glass Crime Short Story Competition returns
The official glass for whisky, the Glencairn Glass, is once again raising a toast to crime fiction with the return of its popular annual Crime Short Story Competition.
READ MORE
Over half of British holidaymakers to opt for touring holiday over flights abroad in 2026
Survey of 2,000 UK holidaymakers commissioned by Scotland's largest touring and holiday home show reveals shift in UK's holiday of choice.
READ MORE
Silverburn sets new fundraising record
Silverburn, has shown the power of its community spirit after raising an incredible £111,306 for its long-standing charity partner, Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity.
READ MORE
Kochchi Glasgow announces official opening date and debuts Sri Lankan inspired menu
Kochchi Glasgow, the highly anticipated new Sri Lankan dining destination, has officially announced its opening date as Thursday 29th January.
READ MORE
Adoption event offers residents in Greater Glasgow the chance to change a life
A series of relaxed, no commitment, information events are being held by Kibble, a national children’s charity, for individuals and couples keen to explore adoption.
READ MORE
Tour de France unveils route for Scottish stage
The official route of the opening stage of the Tour de France in 2027, known as the Grand Depart, has been revealed with the event starting in Edinburgh on Friday 2nd July.
READ MORE
The Choir of Man announces cast and launches search for local choir ahead of Scottish Premiere in Glasgow
The Olivier Award-nominated smash hit musical The Choir of Man is coming to Glasgow, featuring an exciting new imitative that invites local choirs to join the cast on stage!
READ MORE
World Party: Celtic Connections lights up winter as global festival begins
Glasgow bursts into life today welcoming the world to the biggest traditional winter music festival on the planet - as Celtic Connections kicks off 18 days of music, culture and celebration!
READ MORE
The best of British theatre takes centre stage at Vue
There's lots for theatre lovers to be excited about at Vue, with several productions taking over the big screen in the coming months.
READ MORE
BFFs over Boyfriends: Flight Club is the ultimate Galentines therapy
Flight Club is calling all those focusing on friends this Valentine's to round up their gang of guys or girls and celebrate platonic love with its Galentine's Brunch.
READ MORE
Chesney Hawkes announces Glasgow date for March
'The One and Only', Chesney Hawkes will bring his 'Smash It To Pieces' tour to Oran Mor Glasgow on Sunday 8th March!
READ MORE
The Cool Hand Cup is back!
Marston's is calling on punters to step up to the oche in over 500 pubs, to be in with the chance of winning £10,000 and a game of 501 darts against champion Luke Humphries!
READ MORE
Viral Buckie Bomb beer returns after trending on Reddit across Scotland and Ireland
A cult Buckfast-inspired beer is making a comeback this January after fans demanded its return across Reddit.
READ MORE
Dobbies hosts free Little Seedlings Club this February
Children will learn what compost is, the difference between green and brown waste, and what can and can't be composted at February's Little Seedlings Club from Dobbies'!
READ MORE
One ticket to rule them all!
On Saturday 17th January, Showcase Cinemas is screening all three extended films back-to-back, Fellowship, Two Towers and Return of the King, with one ticket covering the full trilogy!
READ MORE
Escalation of George Square redesign fires starting pistol on year of transformation
A new phase in the restoration of George Square will kick off a big year in the continuing transformation of Glasgow city centre.
READ MORE
World Gaelic Week grows as 2026 programme launched
Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) is set to grow for the fifth consecutive year as it launches its funded programme of events.
READ MORE
FrightFest announces 2026 Glasgow Film Festival line up
It's full scream ahead as FrightFest, the UK;s No.1 horror & fantasy film event, presents three days of trauma, terror and tantalising thrills as part of Glasgow Film Festival 2026!
READ MORE
The Tall Ship Glenlee waves a temporary goodbye to her masts for the first time in three decades
For the first time in 30 years, the floating museum's famous masts are being removed for essential conservation work.
READ MORE
Five March and Bruichladdie set to host Burns feast
Iconic Glasgow West End restaurant Five March will celebrate the Bard with a four-course Burns feast on Sunday 25 January.
READ MORE
Glasgow Libraries launch Wintering Well boxes to tackle SAD this winter
Glasgow Life Libraries is launching a wellbeing initiative encouraging people in Glasgow to borrow a Wintering Well Box from their local library.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links