The Writer's Ghillie

Inverness Book Festival 2009

Karen — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:20:06 +0000

If like me you can’t access the festival website (www.invernessbookfestival.co.uk), look out for programmes in your local library.

There a few big names including Ian Rankin for the crime buffs and Katie Fforde for the incurable romantics, but also some great home grown talent. I’m looking out for Aberdonian Stuart MacBride. I’ve heard Stuart speak before and he’s worth the ticket even though his latest novel is apparently not set in the granite city. Obviously the man knows no fear.

The festival runs from Mon 5th to Saturday 10th October at various venues including Eden Court.

Posted in The pile

BBC looking for Scottish writers

Karen — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:03:42 +0000

Scotland Writes is an initiative set up by BBC Scotland. They are running a competition for writers born or living in Scotland, who are invited to submit a script for a 60 minute pilot episode for a serial or series. The subject can be of any genre but must reflect life in contemporary Scotland.

Details at BBC Writers’ Room.

Posted in Writing Competitions Tagged: Writing Competitions

Nairn Book & Arts Festival 09

Karen — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:39:58 +0000

The Nairn festival crams so much into the wee town over a week that this year ‘Book Week’ is going to last eight days.

Expect the usual imaginative blend of entertainment and bite, local and national, famous and unknown. On the writing front look out for Liz Lochhead, James Kelman, William Dalrymple and Erica James as well as the Highland’s own renaissance man James Ross and a positive rash of local writers.

There’s a creative writing workshop from Cynthia Rogerson, director of the Arvon Foundation’s Moniack Mhor. Book early!

Dates: 5th – 13th June 09

See www.nairnfestival.co.uk for details.

Posted in Courses and workshops, Events Tagged: Book festivals

RAW call for Homecoming fiction and poetry

Karen — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:26:20 +0000

The Highlands’ hottest literary magazine, Random Acts of Writing, is calling for submissions on the theme of Homecoming for a special autumn edition. Check the details (and subscribe, it’s a great read) at http://www.randomactsofwriting.co.uk/#homecoming

Posted in Poetry, Short stories

Ullapool Book Festival

Karen — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:24:36 +0000

The programme is out for Ullapool, one of the first book festivals of the season. I went to last year’s event and enjoyed the way literary and folk traditions are given equal attention. The small venues make the most of the ceilidh atmosphere and there’s a chance for local and visiting writers to share their work at open mike evenings in the parlour.

This year’s line up includes AL Kennedy and Bernard McLaverty but the limelight might just be pinched by the wee gem that is Isle Martin, where several of the sessions are being held. Access by boat and time to wander through a nugget of west coast history in the tea break… not to be missed if you’re able to get there.

Sadly it’s on during my holidays this year so if you’re lucky enough to go yourself, drop by here afterwards and give us a review.

http://www.ullapoolbookfestival.co.uk/

Posted in Events Tagged: Book festivals