Liz MacWhirter is a novelist, poet, essayist, speaker and theologian. ‘When Hope Takes Flight,’ her interdisciplinary PhD at the University of Glasgow, explores theopoetics and trauma. ‘Black Snow Falling’ (Scotland Street Press, 2018), her gothic, debut novel, gained a Carnegie Medal nomination. A debut poetry pamphlet, ‘Blue: a lament for the sea’ was published by Stewed Rhubarb Press in 2025. Other poetry is published by Lucy Writers, Yale GCRE, Theology in Scotland and elsewhere. Liz has spoken at the Edinburgh International Book Festival; Universities of Yale, Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews, among many other venues. As a creative copywriter for Ardbeg Whisky and other clients, her work gained 20 creative industry awards for originality and impact.
Liz’s creative-critical research has been recognised by an honoraria gift from Yale University Institute of Sacred Music’s Initiative for Religion, Ecology and the Expressive Arts; and with funding from University of Glasgow College of Arts Research Support Awards (7 awards); International Medieval Congress; and Seedcorn Funding from University of Glasgow Scottish & Celtic Studies. Other funders include Creative Scotland and Publishing Scotland. Liz is a Scottish Book Trust Live Literature Author.
Liz is married, lives in Scotland and likes to spend as much time as possible in nature, hiking around the local hills and by the sea.
PhD research supervisors: Professor Heather Walton and novelist Dr Carolyn-Jess Cooke.
YA Agent: Lindsey Fraser at Fraser Ross Associates
Liz MacWhirter Novelist & Poet 