Chris McQueer is a prominent Scottish writer and spoken word performer, known for his distinctive use of the Scots language to craft narratives of dark comedy and surreal humour. His reputation is anchored by two well-received collections of short stories: “Hings” and “HWFG.”
Growing up in the East End of Glasgow, McQueer’s early career saw him in roles at a sports shop and as a crime scene cleaner before transitioning into a full-time writer. His loyalties lie with Celtic Football Club, which he passionately supports.
His literary journey began by sharing self-published short stories on Twitter. The fruits of this labor culminated in his debut book collection, “Hings,” published in 2017. This collection, derived from his Twitter narratives, secured the prestigious title of Best Short Story Collection at the 2018 Saboteur Awards.
The resounding success of “Hings” empowered McQueer to pursue writing as a full-time occupation, culminating in the publication of “HWFG” (Here We Fucking Go) in 2018. Unlike his previous compilation, “HWFG” marked McQueer’s first collection intentionally crafted for traditional book release. During its creation, McQueer consciously embraced a darker tone, deliberately distancing it from the style of “Hings.” This creative exploration propelled him towards his inaugural novel, currently in progress. In addition to his written work, McQueer regularly engages in spoken word performances to bring his stories to life.
In 2019, a selection of stories from “Hings” underwent adaptation into a three-part series of short films for BBC iPlayer, aptly titled “Chris McQueer’s Hings.” Notably, McQueer himself assumed the role of narrator within the series.
McQueer’s literary voice, expressed through the authentic Glaswegian Scots language intertwined with English, exudes a darkly humorous style often likened to the work of Limmy and Irvine Welsh. Notably, Scottish actor Martin Compston aptly described McQueer as embodying “Charlie Brooker on Buckfast,” encapsulating his distinct blend of wit and distinctiveness.
A guide track for ‘Chris McQueer’ is available below for listening: -
You can download a PDF of the sheet music here
- or braille format here.
The track is additionally available within the following collections and sets: -
Associated Collections: -
4/4
Bagpipe
Strathspey
The Tarbolton Collection
