Moray author hopes novel will hit the big screen despite 'cancel culture' fears
Jane Scott Stuart spoke to us in her home near Forres
A North East based novelist, who claims her story was almost lost to cancel culture, still hopes it will be made into a film.
88-year-old Jane Scott Stuart, who lives near Forres, wrote 'Not In This World' which is inspired by her life raised by a black gay man working for her wealthy Kentucky family.
Set in the 1930s, the book covers serious racial issues such as segregation, lynching and the Ku Klux Klan.
Jane says questions over whether a white author should tell the story of a black protagonist almost completely derailed the project, with hopes it would be made into a movie.
She eventually got the book published, with the help of co-author Elaine Flowers, and has finished the anti-racism sequel - 'Deep White Pockets.'
Jane plans on writing a third novel and still thinks 'Not in this World' will hit the big screen.
The book was a finalist in the American Book Legacy Awards and has just been announced as a finalist in the 2026 Storytrade Book Awards.
'Stories like this matter' - Jane Scott Stuart
'Not In This World' earned praise from senior publishing figures, bestselling authors and Hollywood screenwriters.
But Jane believes growing sensitivities around race, identity and authorship created barriers which almost prevented the book from reaching readers.
Jane said: “The minute you start worrying about offending people, you put them in an inferior position.
“This book was written as a passionate plea against racism and tells the story of a remarkable man whose life deserved to be remembered.
“Paul experienced extraordinary kindness and extraordinary discrimination, often at the same time.
"He fought for his country, cared deeply for the people around him and carried himself with dignity, yet he was repeatedly denied the respect and opportunities he deserved because of the colour of his skin.
“Stories like his matter because they help us understand one another.
"If we become afraid of telling difficult stories, we lose the opportunity to learn from them.”
While it has not been picked up yet, we asked Jane if she thinks Not In This World will be made into a film in the future.
She said: "I hope so.
"It's great stuff for them (film-makers).
"It's a great story with lots of passion, different aspects of life, many different feelings and points of view."