Nicola Sturgeon's memoir Frankly hits shelves across UK

Nicola Sturgeon’s autobiography, Frankly, has officially gone on sale across the UK.

The former first minister began work on the memoir in 2023, describing it as an open account of her “mistakes and heartbreaks” as well as her “triumphs”.

In the lead-up to the launch, excerpts from the book and clips from an exclusive interview with ITV News at Ten presenter Julie Etchingham showed the former SNP leader speaking candidly about the shame she felt at the police raid of her home; her regrets at how she handled the gender reform bill in Scotland; her complicated relationship with political ally turned foe, Alex Salmond, as well as her sexuality and devastating miscarriage.

The 55-year-old MSP said she “poured her heart into” telling the story of her journey, covering “extraordinary events”, “colourful characters” and “incredible experiences”.

Publisher Pan Macmillan picked up the UK rights to Sturgeon’s book in a hotly contested auction in 2023. The company described the book as a “deeply personal memoir” that “recounts her journey from working-class Ayrshire to the steps of Bute House.”

“Revealing the person behind the politician, she explores the schism between her private and public personas: one painfully shy and self-critical, the other a consummate public performer.”

While Frankly is officially published on Thursday, the book was spotted on sale earlier this week in at least two Glasgow branches of Waterstones.

The retailer had said no sales embargo was in place.