For the tenth episode of Pet Projects we welcomed Hong Kong-based author Stewart McKay to the show to talk about his long-serving pet companion and his debut coming-of-age novella, The Ballad of Billy Lopez, which (as well as being completely excellent) was a finalist for the Proverse Prize.  

Originally from Scotland, Stewart now lives with his beloved one in the busy Mong Kok district of Hong Kong, where adaptability is key, hence our musings on dietary requirements, pet-sitting challenges and Covid consolations. Meanwhile, when it comes to the engaging book in question – ONE of us rashly attempts a US accent to relay a vaguely pet-related passage… 

Stewart and I have both enjoyed roles in the Hong Kong Writers Circle (HKWC), with my guest appearing in ten of their annual anthologies while editing two. Our reflections on the value of the HKWC form part of a wider chat about Stewart’s writing life and promotional work for The Ballad… See links below and listen out for a radio interview on Hong Kong station RTHK soon! 

A couple of extra notes about the show: there is some swearing in this episode, though sadly our curse words are somewhat muffled by the recording quality (we chatted over Zoom). As ever, greater clarity can be achieved via headphones. 

Thanks so much for being our tenth guest, Stewart! Perhaps a follow-up episode could be recorded over there in the fragrant harbour? Remember, if you’re enjoying the Pet Projects podcast, please like, review & tell your friends. 

Links to projects/discussion topics: 

Stewart’s new novella, The Ballad of Billy Lopez: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ballad-Billy-Lopez-Stewart-McKay/dp/9888833952 

My new novel, Adrift: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adrift-Peter-Humphreys/dp/B0DSSY5VNV/ 

Stewart on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatididinhongkong/ 

The Ballad of Billy Lopez featured in the Hong Kong Review: https://www.hongkongreview.co/post/southern-drawl-and-soulful-growth-a-review-of-stewart-mckay-s-the-ballad-of-billy-lopez 

Stewart’s reflections on the book in Cha: An Asian Literary Journal: https://chajournal.blog/2025/03/16/whatsoever/ 

The Hong Kong Writers Circle: https://hongkongwriterscircle.org  

Pet Projects on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petprojectspod/

Pet Projects - Episode 10 - Stewart McKay

I'm a writer and editor based in Lancaster. Check out my podcasts Pet Projects (in which I interview creative types about their pets - and their projects), First Impressions (a surreal slice of literary cheesecake), and Monkey Scribbling (two older blokes reflect on their youth in the '90s through the letters they exchanged at the time). 

Pet Projects is a collaboration with Ana Rebolledo and Monkey Scribbling with Richard Pye. 

The family band I formed with my brother, Decaying Leather, in 1989 continues to write and record. Our music can also be found on SoundCloud and elsewhere.

Pet Projects - Episode 10 - Stewart McKay

Peter Humphreys