Portrait of the writer in his prime

The Scotsman asked Alexander McCall Smith to write an autobiographical essay for the paper, which is being run in three parts. Part one describes his childhood; part two explains how his original intent to write novels got sidetracked when he entered a contest and a different book won:

I RETURNED TO Scotland from Northern Ireland to take up a post at the University of Edinburgh. While I pursued my academic career, I started to write short stories in my spare time. I had a small amount of success; some stories were broadcast by the BBC and one or two were published elsewhere. The Scottish Arts Council at that stage provided a real lifeline for the short-story writer, as they published an annual collection with Collins, and writers were invited to submit for that. I tried for a few years to be included in that collection, and eventually succeeded. In the meantime, though, the venerable Edinburgh publishing firm of Chambers launched a literary competition for Scots writers. There were three categories: fiction for adults, children’s fiction and non-fiction.

I decided to write a novel to enter in this competition, which I eventually did. I also wrote a children’s story, which I entered more or less as an afterthought. I was fortunate enough to be one of the winners, but it was in the wrong category. My children’s story had met with approval and my novel (quite deservedly) met with silence.

As a result of this, my writing career took an unexpected turn. I had approached a London firm of agents, Murray and Gina Pollinger, and they had agreed to take me on. Gina Pollinger, who was one of the most highly respected figures in British children’s fiction, proved to be a most helpful and infinitely patient support. She eventually secured a contract from Hamish Hamilton in London for the publication of my first children’s book, The White Hippo. She suggested that I write another.

In keeping with my love of anything McCall Smith, it behooves me to concur about his children’s books. Granted, I only own two, but THE PERFECT HAMBURGER is about as good a children’s book as I have read in ages and has all the McCall Smith wit and charm, just geared for children. I’m kind of surprised publishers haven’t decided to reissue these books–there’s about 50–and make them available. Adults love McCall Smith; why not children as well?