Iain Maloney is the author of eight books, including the critically acclaimed The Only Gaijin in the Village (Birlinn, 2020), a memoir about his life in rural Japan.
He is also a freelance editor and journalist, mainly for The Japan Times.
He was born and raised in Aberdeen, Scotland and he currently lives in Japan. He studied English at the University of Aberdeen, graduated from the University of Glasgow’s Creative Writing Masters in 2004, and holds a PhD from the University of Sunderland.
He is also the lead guitarist of Red Flag Waltz. Listen to their debut album here.
Iain Maloney 
Hi Iain,
I caught wind of your book from Stuart Smith and Jon Steele on their J-League podcast, and it’s just great. I’m going to pick up your three novels next. Just wanted to drop a note to say thanks for your writing.
Brian
Hi Brian, thanks for getting in touch and for buying the book. I didn’t know Stuart and Jon had mentioned it, I’ll have to track down that episode!
Hey Iain:
A few of my colleagues and I are expats in Asia and are very interested in reading The Only Gaijin in the Village. Unfortunately, lead times for shipping are about 2 months out!
Can you share whether the publisher has a Kindle version on the roadmap?
Thanks so much in advance!
Hi John, I’m not sure where in Asia you are but I assume you are using Amazon US? There is a Kindle version available but for some reason the US Amazon site is being difficult. If you use Amazon UK, Singapore or Japan you can get it today. As for posting, 2 months sounds bizarre – is that also from Amazon US? If you let me know where you are I can better advise.
Ian, i lived your interview with Jeff Krueger! I’m looking forward to reading your book. I and my family lived n Japan six years but in major cities. And I always want to learn more.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!
I was given your book ‘The only Gaijin in the Village’ for Xmas. About half way through and loving it! Was in Japan in May 2017 .. my second trip. Keep writing. I’ll churn through all your books eventually and will be looking for more😎
Hi Therese, thanks for getting in touch, and thanks to Santa for getting you that for Christmas! Glad to hear you are enjoying it. If you’re looking for more of my writing, check out https://iainmaloney.substack.com/
Hi Iain, currently living through a nightmare with 4 friends/family members snuffing it in the past 5 weeks. ‘The only Gaijin in the Village’ had me laughing like a drain and lifted out of a very black mood.
Having visited Japan a couple o times and the last time spent a month wandering around in the kilt, which was great fun, with echos of your father and father in-law, drinking with salarymen on a couple o Friday nights.
Will be having a look at some more of your work
Cliff……a 62 year old Teuchter fae Glenisla
Thanks for getting in touch, and so sorry to hear about your loses. It’s just been such a horrific time. Glad to hear my book could help even slightly. Take care.
Hello Ian, I have just finished reading your book The Only Gaijin in the Village and i made me laugh so much. So much more than laughter though. My own experience has been less immersive but I have spent the last 5 years in rural Thailand when I’m not working or after hours I’m in charge of a citrus farm, fish pool, 2 coo’s and being the safest driver in town so chauffeur to the many old dears that have appointments outside the village. Your book echoed so much even though completely different countries. Great read and I’ll spread the word.
Hi Mark, thanks for getting in touch. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the book and thanks for spreading the word! Rural Thailand sounds like a lot of fun!
2 Maloneys on Japan! I’ll check your work out. I found dons books at a thrift storr
Hi Iain.
This may seem an odd request but I am a third year literature student at the University of Aberdeen. I am about a year too early (eager!) but I have been beginning to think about my dissertation next year. I have a particular interest in exploring trauma through literature, and since I was born and grew up in Aberdeen, I have been considering writing my fourth year dissertation on the Piper Alpha Disaster and how this event is portrayed through literature! I was hoping when the time comes for me to write this you would be willing for me to a) write my dissertation discussing your novels b) have a chat with me about your thoughts on all of this!
Thanks!
Hi Rachele, I’m really sorry, I just saw this. I’d love to help out in any way I can (if I’m not too late!)
Hey Iain, I recently read your novels “The Japan Lights” and “The Only Gaijin in the Village”. I’ve been voraciously reading travelogues from Japan, many that come from individuals that come to teach on programs such as JET, or that only stay for a short while in Japan. After a while, many of the things these authors talked about started to blend together, and become bland. Your books however, gave me a much needed breath of fresh air in a niche genre that can get stale quick with the same “climbing Fuji” chapters, and mentions about the incessant “can you use chopsticks?” questions. Thank you sharing your personal life experiences through your books, they were a blast to read and I will definitely be checking out whatever new work you decide to make next.
Best Wishes,
Warnerro
Thanks for your kind words. It’s great to hear because that’s exactly what I was going for. If you’re still interested in my books I’ve got a few others available, including three novels, a novella set in Japan (Life is Elsewhere/Burn Your Flags) and a couple of poetry collections.
Hi Iain, Reading your Only Gaijin in the Village and it so reminds me of my time there. I travelled to Japan to teach English in 1989, fell in love with a local girl (married 32 years this year) lived in Nagano from 1989-96. I secured a bit of land for a garden from a student. I had a book on organic/ companion planting vegie growing. My plot looked like a jungle compared to the ojisan’s around me. They all thought I was nuts. At least once a week one would come over and offer me some “spray” or advise me to remove the weeds. When I politely refused they would wander off scratching their heads. “Crazy gaijin!!!”
We live in Australia now and I miss that little garden. Thank you so much for bringing back some great memories. All the best.
Steve
Hi Steve, thanks for getting in touch and sharing your experience. Sounds very familiar! I like a messy garden and the wildlife likes it too.