I cannot express just how excited and blessed I feel to receive the friendly and enthusiastic direction of perfecting Harry Goodsir‘s dialogue in my latest novel, In Eternity, from none other than The Proclaimers and their wonderful manager, Kenny MacDonald.

Harry Goodsir, the assistant surgeon and naturalist aboard the HMS Erebus during the ill-fated Franklin Expedition, was Scottish, having spent his life in Fife and Edinburgh.

The Proclaimers are Scottish as well. Twins Charlie and Craig Reid were born in Leith and grew up in Edinburgh. They’re often best known for their hit “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles),” a song I admit to blasting at every bar with a Touch Tunes, singing along despite the less than enthusiastic reactions of my friends (also on my go to playlist is Africa by Toto) who are too kind to tell me I should sit down and let the bar play their standard pop or country mix (hell no).

I only recently heard more Proclaimers’ music thanks to the ever shuffling songs on Pandora, and quickly fell in love with my current favorite, I’m On My Way. It was this song I was singing along to when my husband stopped, stared at me, then said, “I think you’re the only person I know who knows more than one Proclaimers song.”

And that just would not do. Now, I intend to help share their awesome, catchy music far and wide. My new favorites from their new album include Sometime It’s the Fools, You Make Me Happy, and Streets of Edinburgh.

For In Eternity, set to release in early 2020, Kenny and The Proclaimers have been so wonderful. I’ve been taught how to write Harry’s Edinburgh accent to make his dialogue authentic and as accurate as possible.

My biggest goal with In Eternity has been to stay true to the real life Harry Goodsir. He may have perished during the Franklin Expedition, but thanks to people like Kenny, Craig, and Charlie, I am bringing him back to life as best I can.

I seriously cannot express how delighted I am to work with Kenny MacDonald and The Proclaimers. I am greatly humbled by their kindness and generosity. Their assistance has helped craft Harry’s character better than I thought imaginable, and I can’t wait for you to meet him.

In the meantime, check out their amazing video for a song off The Proclaimers’ latest album, Angry Cyclist, below!