Course for playwrights at McDonald Road Library

The McDonald Road Library in Leith is offering budding Edinburgh playwrights an opportunity to grab a place at its free ‘How to be a Playwright’ event. The course was a sell-out event at this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival and will again be presented by Edinburgh author and playwright Caroline Dunford. The library is collaborating with Edinburgh theatre production company Siege Perilous in its forthcoming Playwright Development Programme, and will host mentoring sessions and workshops from the programme.

 

 

 

Katie Swann, Team Leader at the library said:- “Libraries are very much at the heart of its community and McDonald Road like many others is a hub for a wider range of local activities beyond book hire. The range of activities at McDonald Road is extremely diverse covering children’s groups, belly-dancing and the Leith Business Hub as well as hosting politicians and celebrities alike. There is a natural symmetry in our participation with a programme aimed at developing new writers and we are very pleased to be involved with it”.

 

 

 

Leith-based author of novel ‘Hunting Jack’ and blogger Colin Galbraith attended Caroline’s Creative Writing course at this year’s Book Festival and following his experience blogged this advice to other writers “get yourself onto a Caroline Dunford creative writing course, and do it sharpish.”

 

 

 

The event, to be held on Monday 5th September 2011, 6.30 – 8.00 p.m. is free but it is essential to book as places are limited to 20.

To reserve a place call the library direct on 0131 529 5636, email mcdonaldroad.library@edinburgh.gov.uk or call in person 2 McDonald Road EH7 4LU.

 

Jackie Kay wins Scottish Book of the Year

The Edinburgh International Book Festival 13-29 August 2011

17 days of homage to books and authors starts today in Charlotte Square.

We have to hope that the rain will not have turned the garden into Edinburgh’s answer to Glastonbury, and are sure that the organisers will have taken appropriate steps, but stout footwear might still be in order.

The Book Festival has invited four Guest Selectors to curate individual strands of the programme. BBC Special Correspondent Allan Little, who has reported from almost every international conflict in the last 20 years, will explore Revolution in the 21st Century – political and technological – inviting world class authors, including Hisham Matar, Kamila Shamsie and Chan Koonchung to provide unrivalled insights into our fast changing planet.

Audrey Niffenegger will be joined by Chris Adrian, Neil Gaiman and Kelly Link, writers unique in their genre-defying, boundary-crossing writing, to examine Writing Without Boundaries.

Joan Bakewell will investigate Key Ideas of the 21st Century with a selection of renowned speakers including Michael Symmons Roberts, Julian Baggini, Olivia Laing and Ian Stewart.

The new Children’s Laureate, Julia Donaldson MBE, is the Guest Selector for the RBS Children’s Programme in 2011 and will explore new ways to engage children in books and reading. She will also look at the importance of illustration with Nick Sharratt, the Book Festival’s Illustrator in Residence.

Book of the Year candidates now available to blind

Creative Scotland, the national body for the arts, screen and creative industries, is delighted to announce that this year’s Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust Book of the Year category winning titles are now available to blind and partially sited people.

All four category winning titles have been converted into Daisy and large print formats and are now available to blind and partially sited people including over 40,000 members of RNIB Scotland.

The four books are now competing to become the 2011 Book of the Year, which carries a total cash prize of £30,000 – Scotland’s largest literary prize.

For the first time in the history of the Awards, readers and book lovers from across the country have a role in choosing the Scottish Book of the Year in a public vote that ends on 31 July 2011.

The four shortlisted authors are:
•        Fiction: Leila Aboulela, Lyrics Alley (Weidenfeld & Nicolson)
•        Non-Fiction: Jackie Kay, Red Dust Road (Picador)
•        Poetry: Stewart Conn, The Breakfast Room (Bloodaxe)
•        First Book: Sue Peebles, The Death of Lomond Friel (Vintage)

Dr Gavin Wallace, portfolio manager for Literature, Publishing and Language at Creative Scotland, said:

‘We are delighted to have been able to work with the RNIB to make the titles available in daisy and large print format.  We want to encourage the public to get involved in the discussion about the four best Scottish books of the year, and having them available to the blind and partially sited allows us to reach even bigger audiences.  Remember, voting closes on 26 July, so cast your vote now if

RNIB Scotland director John Legg said:

‘We are delighted that these four titles will be available in Daisy and large-print formats to people who are blind and partially sighted.  Only five per cent of published books ever make it into alternative formats and we’d like to see many more books made accessible.  That these four award-winning titles are is wonderful news.’

The winner will be announced by Dame Jenni Murray, best-known as a presenter on BBC Radio 4′s Woman’s Hour, on Friday 26 August at the Edinburgh International Book Festival at its Charlotte Square home.

To cast your vote, simply go on line to www.scottishbookawards.com Voting cards will also be appearing in every Scottish library and branches of Waterstone’s booksellers across Scotland over the coming months, although votes are welcome from anywhere in the world. The winner will be decided using a combination of the judges’ scores and the public vote.

2011 Book of the Year Shortlist includes Edinburgh-based Stewart Conn

Four talented authors, including one who is Edinburgh-based, have been shortlisted for Scotland’s largest literary prize, the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust Book of the Year Award, in partnership with Creative Scotland.

Stewart Conn who lives in Edinburgh won the Poetry category with his title, The Breakfast Room (Bloodaxe), and is now in the running to win the book of the year. From 2002-2005 Conn was the capital’s inaugural Makar. He has received awards from the Scottish Arts Council, the Society of Authors and the Poetry Book Society, while Stolen Light: Selected Poems  was shortlisted for Saltire Scottish Book of the Year.  Most recently he has edited 100 Favourite Scottish Poems and 100 Favourite Scottish Love Poems.  He is a fellow of the RSAMD, an honorary fellow of the Association for Scottish Literary Studies and somewhat to his bemusement, a Knight of Mark Twain.

Selected from a long list of 17 category finalists, the winners of each of the Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry and First Book awards will receive £5,000.  All four authors now go on to compete for the Scottish Book of the Year accolade and the chance to win a further £25,000, a total prize of £30,000 – Scotland’s largest literary prize, and one of the largest in the UK.

The four category winners are: -

Fiction: Leila Aboulela, Lyrics Alley (Weidenfeld & Nicolson)
Non-Fiction: Jackie Kay, Red Dust Road (Picador)
Poetry: Stewart Conn, The Breakfast Room (Bloodaxe)
First Book: Sue Peebles, The Death of Lomond Friel (Vintage)

For the first time in the history of the awards, readers and book lovers from across the country will have a role in choosing the Scottish Book of the Year in a public vote that begins on the 16 May and ends on 31 July 2011. The Scottish Book of the Year will be announced at a special event at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August.

To cast your vote, simply go on line to www.scottishbookawards.com Voting cards will also be appearing in every Scottish library and branches of Waterstone’s booksellers across Scotland, although votes are welcome from anywhere in the world. The winner will be decided using a combination of the judges’ scores and the public vote.

The four category winners are an eclectic mix of subject-matter and style.

Red Dust Road is a touching autobiographical account of the author’s journey from Glasgow to meet her estranged Nigerian birth father;
Lyrics Alley is the thought-provoking tale of a powerful Sudanese family who are torn between modernising influences and past traditions, addressing many issues faced by Islamic women today;
The Death of Lomond Friel is a debut novel set on the east coast of Scotland. It is a touching exploration of the relationship between a successful radio presenter and her father: a stroke sufferer who quietly plots his own death;
The poems in The Breakfast Room explore, warmly and with often wry humour, the fragility and vulnerability of our lives. A number draw their inspiration from music and paintings, while a concluding series of love-poems is imbued with tenderness.

Gavin Wallace, Creative Scotland Portfolio Manager for Literature, Publishing and Language, Creative Scotland, said:-

‘Moving from Sudan to Cairo, Glasgow to Lagos, Scotland’s central belt to the east coast, from joyful affirmation to the ungovernable pain of loss, this is a shortlist of myriad journeys, physical and spiritual, of an astonishing range and eclecticism of styles that truly reflect a mature literary culture. As well as rewarding sheer literary excellence, it is equally our aim that these Awards, and the new public vote, encourage people to enjoy the joys of reading, and sharing reading.’

Leila Aboulela, author of Lyrics Alley, said:-

‘I started writing when I moved to Scotland in my late twenties. I was homesick for Khartoum and I wanted to put into words the anxieties and newness of being a Muslim in Britain. In the literary culture of 1990s Scotland I found a home for my stories, a place which nurtured my skills and encouraged me to grow as a writer.

‘Fiction is a compelling, convincing exaggeration. In Lyrics Alley, an awful, life-changing event triggers the birth of a poet. And Sudan too emerges wobbly after decades of Anglo-Egyptian rule. The novel is set in the 1950s and I dedicated it to my father because I wanted to capture his optimistic youth, before the disappointments and military dictatorships that came with post-independence.’

Jackie Kay, author of Red Dust Road, said:-

‘Red Dust Road is about my twenty year old journey to find my birth parents, but also about my adoptive parents and the road I’ve been on with them. I’m fascinated by what makes us who we are, nature or nurture.’

Stewart Conn, author of The Breakfast Room, said:-
‘I am delighted for Bloodaxe and myself, and on behalf of the poems.  What makes the prize even more gratifying and meaningful to me is its having been awarded to this particular volume, the source of so much of which lies in the affections.’
Sue Peebles, author of The Death of Lomond Friel, said;

‘I’m thrilled to win the First Book prize and be part of such a fine shortlist. Everything to do with ‘The Death of Lomond Friel’  – the writing of it, the publication, the responses from readers and judges  – has been highly improbable, which adds to the delight.
‘The affection shown towards Lomond Friel is heart-warming. Of course, I care passionately about every character in the book (they could not exist otherwise), and I have tried to convey them, their faults and their frailties, as best I can – but it is the readers who have brought them to life.’

Edinburgh International Book Festival teams up with The Guardian

The Edinburgh International Book Festival and Guardian News & Media (GNM) have announced a two-year media partnership.

Through the comprehensive sponsorship deal, readers of the Guardian and The Observer and the guardian.co.uk/books site will be able to digest and interact with unrivalled coverage of the Book Festival’s wide-ranging literary and current affairs workshops, debates and discussions. In addition, audiences at the Festival itself will be able to get involved online by reviewing books and discussing events on the Guardian’s website.

The Edinburgh International Book Festival has a long tradition of featuring future Man Booker, Nobel, Pulitzer and other prize-winners before they gain international acclaim. In recent years the Festival has played host to some of Britain’s best loved writers including Alan Bennett, J K Rowling, Harold Pinter, Muriel Spark, Martin Amis, Seamus Heaney and Terry Pratchett.

Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said “We are very excited to be working with the team at Guardian News & Media and are looking forward to extending our reach and introducing our programme to a new audience around the UK and around the world. This partnership will open up new avenues for authors and new outlets for the debate and discussion, which is the life blood of the Book Festival.”

Claire Armitstead, Books Editor, Guardian News & Media, said: “The Edinburgh International Book Festival’s annual programme features some of the world’s most exciting writers and thinkers and is second to none for adults and children. The Festival’s ambitions chime with that of our recently expanded literary coverage, where people who love books are at the heart of what we do.”

Chris Lawson, Content Sales & Marketing Director, GNM said: “We’re thrilled to be sponsoring the festival this year as part of GNM’s ongoing commitment to coverage of books, culture and the arts. We will use all the energy, enthusiasm and resources of the Guardian and The Observer to build the festival’s prominence and reputation in the papers and online, as well as showcasing our content to new audiences at the events.”

It’s official! Top Ten Family-friendly cities includes Edinburgh

Edinburgh has been voted among the top ten family-friendly cities in Europe according to Internet travel website Trip Advisor. In fact it was positioned at number Two!  Our fair city was pipped at the post only by one other, Florence in Italy, which took top position.

According to Trip Advisor, Edinburgh deserves the accolade because of its abundance of free attractions, museums and the constant flow of vibrant events on the festival calendar in every season.

The site also listed its top ten Edinburgh attractions:-

1. Camera Obscura

2. Royal Yacht Britannia

3. Royal Botanic Garden

4. Arthur’s Seat

5. Museum of Scotland

6. Scott Monument

7. National Gallery of Scotland

8. Portobello Beach

9. Edinburgh Castle

10. Holyrood Palace

In the poll, Edinburgh is placed ahead of other popular family holiday destinations such as London, Rome, Paris and Vienna.

Edinburgh Job – Head of Press at The Pleasance

A neat little job from the beginning of May in London and from the end of July in Edinburgh. The advert is on the Arts Council England’s website. The job is advertised there as follows:-

Head of Press, Pleasance

London, Edinburgh Closes Monday 11 April 2011 Paid (£10k-15k) Full time Artform: combined arts, theatre, visual arts, Other, comedy   Contact: Gemma Crosswell gemma@pleasance.co.uk

Description

The Pleasance is looking for a Head of Press to work with us on this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The press office team is a small team of seven who answer press phone calls, dealing with face to face enquiries and troubleshooting when necessary. The team process ticket requests for journalists from national, international and local publications, websites, television and radio for Pleasance shows and manage the broadcasting/ filming/ photography diary for all Pleasance sites.

Applicants for the Head of Press position would need to be available to work from Pleasance’s London office from beginning of May then relocate to Edinburgh from end of July. Accommodation can be provided in Edinburgh if required. The successful applicant will be paid a fixed fee, to be discussed upon appointment to the post.

For a full description of duties please follow the link:

http://www.pleasance.co.uk/about-us/press-office-manager-and-staff

The closing date for applications is 20th April

Fire possibly caused by electric blanket

A fire in a three storey blocks of flats in Edinburgh, which led to three people being taken to hospital, may have been caused by an electric blanket fire chiefs said this week.

Six people, including two children, were rescued from the building at Craighouse Park in the Morningside area of the city after the alarm was raised at 7.40pm on Monday evening.

Group Manager Mike Partington from Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said:
“The fire started in the bedroom of the ground floor flat, occupied by an elderly couple in their 80s. Initial investigations suggest that the cause may have been an electric blanket that had been put on earlier in the evening.

“By the time the couple, a man aged 84 and a woman aged 81, realised there was a fire, the bedroom was well alight and the flat was filling up with thick black smoke.

“They managed to make their way through heavy smoke filling the hallway and out to a neighbour. Both suffered severe smoke inhalation.

“A man who lived on the top floor of the building jumped to safety and was found in the rear garden by firefighters who administered first aid until he was taken to hospital.

“Another female occupant of the building suffered smoke inhalation and firefighters used a ladder to climb to the back window of a family of four. Because the couple had young children aged four and two a decision was taken to send the firefighter through the window into their home. Oxygen was given to the family and fire crews stayed with them giving reassurance and advice until the danger had passed.

“Early investigations suggest an electric blanket may have been the cause of the blaze.

“Every winter we see these types of electrical fires as electric blankets come back in to use for the cold weather.

“If they have been stored incorrectly, as in folded, the wires can be damaged and the risk of malfunction is increased.

“I would urge people with elderly relatives who may use electric blankets check the condition before use. If in doubt, a qualified electrician can make the appropriate safety checks.

“It’s not clear in this case if there was a working smoke alarm in the property but again make sure you and any elderly relatives or friends have a smoking alarm. Test it every week.

“The extra warning given really can save lives. Firefighters in your area can fit a smoke alarm for free as part of a home safety visit. To find out more call 0800 169 0320.”

Six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire. The bedroom of the flat where the blaze started was completely gutted and the rest of the property was heavily smoke and fire damaged.

Book Festival closes with tribute to Morgan

The Edinburgh International Festival public programme closed last night with a moving tribute to Scotland’s first national poet, Edwin Morgan who died last week.  Richard Holloway chaired the final event in Charlotte Square Gardens which featured readings and personal tributes from 14 of Scotland’s top poets including Douglas Dunn, Janice Galloway, Hamish Whyte, Liz Lochhead and Jackie Kay.

The 2010 Festival has featured over 750 participants from 50 countries including Nobel Laureates Joseph Stiglitz, Amartya Sen and Seamus Heaney, Poets Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and Keorapetse ‘Willie’ Kgositsile from South Africa as well as 10 of the 13 authors long-listed for the 2010 Man Booker Prize.  Highlights of the 17 day festival included the first appearance in Edinburgh of A S Byatt, the delivery of the Donald Dewar Memorial Lecture by ex-Chancellor Alistair Darling, exclusive pre-publication readings from Seamus Heaney, Will Self and Michael Frayn and launches of memoirs from Candia McWilliam, Vidal Sassoon and Nicholas Parsons.   Amongst the international authors, Alberto Manguel, Joyce Carol Oates, Garry Trudeau and D B C Pierre were welcome additions to the programme.

Peter Mandelson spoke at his first public event to promote his memoir, The Third Man to a capacity audience, and closed his event with his proposed Oxford Dictionary definition of the new word ‘mandelsonian’ as “subtle, strategic, hard working and ultimately very loyal.”

Around 200,000 people visited Charlotte Square Gardens during the Festival, to enjoy events, browse the bookshops and to relax in the sunshine.  Ticket sales were on a par with 2008 with 76% of all tickets sold.  A figure marginally down on 2009 which was an exceptional year.

Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said “My first year as Book Festival Director has been a hugely fulfilling and enjoyable experience that has fittingly culminated in the tribute to Edwin Morgan in a year when we have welcomed more outstanding poets than ever before.   We have built upon the core of a hugely successful festival by introducing new innovations including the UNBOUND ‘festival within a festival’, the Readers First Book Award and working with a range of Guest Selectors.  These have been extremely well received both by authors and audience alike. I am delighted with the level of ticket sales which demonstrates that despite the uncertainty in the economy, arts and culture continue to play a vital role in people’s lives.”

The RBS Children’s Programme enjoyed sell out events and record signing queues for Robert Muchamore, Cressida Cowell and Julia Donaldson as well as welcoming new writing from John Boyne, Garth Nix, Cornelia Funke and Francesca Simon.  The RBS Schools programme welcomed over 12,000 children from primary and secondary schools across Scotland, culminating in 3,000 primary school pupils enjoying exclusive access to events in Charlotte Square Gardens today.

The Book Festival will continue on-line through the autumn and winter months with new, specially commissioned writing from Scottish, international and children’s authors on the subject of ‘Elsewhere’, which is supported by the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund.   Video recordings featuring highlights of events with authors in the Elsewhere programme will be available for download.  In addition, audio recordings of many of the events from the 2010 Book Festival will be available at www.edbookfest.co.uk from mid-September.

The 2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival will run from 13 to 29 August 2011 and the programme will be announced in June.

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