Resident Advisor: Tazmyn-Mei Gebbett

Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Tazmyn, an actor and writer who works part-time in publishing marketing because acting and writing do not pay the bills.

What’s been a highlight of the last 12 months for you?
Moving to Edinburgh! I moved here just under two months ago so am very much a newbie. I’ve visited many, many times over the last five years with the hopes of living here someday. Earlier this year I took a long, hard look at what I needed in order to be happier, and living in my favourite city was top of the list. So here I am!

What’s coming up in the future for you?
In terms of normal-human day-to-day, I chair author events in bookshops and for book festivals, and I have a few more scheduled already. 

Where do you recommend people go in Edinburgh?
My favourite cafes I’ve discovered since moving to Edinburgh are The Nook (previously Oqo) on Haddington Place and The Whispering Kettle on Albert Place. If you ever find yourself in need of caffeine along Leith Walk, go and visit!

Favourite shop?
I’m a big nerd and avid reader, so I always recommend the following independent bookshops: Book Lovers Bookshop (the UK’s first romance bookshop), Lighthouse Books (socialist bookshop), Topping & Co (it’s huge and has a ginormous range of sections), Argonaut Books (near Leith) and The Portobello Bookshop (along the beach)!

Why do you like living here?
After living in London for nearly a decade, the thing I needed most was a slower pace of living. Edinburgh is so much smaller than London and is a very walkable city; I can often go days without needing to catch a bus. There are many more independent cafes and shops run by people who are deeply passionate about what they do, as opposed to the chains I’ve become so used to. And the people are friendlier! As someone from the south east of England, I feel like the further up north you go, the happier people are.