Jackie Kay is a Scottish poet and novelist, and was the Makar — the poet laureate of Scotland — from 2016-2021. She is the author of a number of works, including The Adoption Papers, Trumpet and Red Dust Road. Faber & Faber reissued her biography of the blues singer Bessie Smith in 2021. The recipient of numerous prizes, she was also twice shortlisted for the Scottish Book of the Year Award. She is currently chancellor of the University of Salford, and divides her time between Glasgow and Manchester. @JackieKayPoet