But over the summer there are also some excellent book festivals to visit if you are in Scotland. Here is a taste of some of those I will be at this summer, and perhaps I will see you there.
At the beginning of August the Fringe By The Sea festival kicks off 5th-11th August.
This small but vibrant festival is held in the seaside town of North Berwick, half an hour south east of Edinburgh.
There is a mix of events including music, comedy and guided walks as well as authors such as Ian Rankin, Maggie O’Farrell and Elaine C Smith and events for kids including Bookbug sessions, learning to sing like a popstar!! and Lucinda Hare, talking about dragons. I will also be there talking about my teen novels. It's great to be appearing at a local East Lothian event. www.fringebythesea.com
 |
| Launch of EIBF programme 2013 |
A few weeks ago I was at the launch of the programme for the Edinburgh International Book Festival 2013.
This is the festival's 30th year and at the programme launch we heard about the incredible 750 authors appearing in 800 events from 10th -26th August.
The press were there adopting tortuous positions so that they could capture Festival director Nick Barley and Children's programme director Janet Smyth on a giant rainbow coloured 30.There is a new strand in the festival this year called 'Stripped', described as 'comics and graphic novels laid bare' which should be fascinating.
Guest selectors such as Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman and French illustrator in residence Barroux will also be presenting a fascinating selection of events.
The children's programme features children's laureate Malorie Blackman. Julia Donaldson, Anne Fine, Eoin Colfer, Cathy Cassidy, Sophie McKenzie to name just a few, and of course there are a number of our own ABBA contributors to look out for and some great new children's writers making their debut appearances. The Schools programme is listed separately and many more fabulous children's writers will be speaking to host of school children during the second week and on the final Schools Gala day.
To find out more about the EIBF programme check online www.edbookfest.co.uk
In September crime steps into the spotlight with
BLOODY SCOTLAND Scotland's International Crime Festival
In only its second year this exciting new addition to Scotland's book festivals is already gathering much praise.
'The 'enthralling' Bloody Scotland won the best cultural Thistle award 2012 at the regional Central/East Final and is presently in the grand final in November against the Glasgow Film Festival and The Enchanted Forest.'
 |
| Sophie McKenzie |
Sophie McKenzie and I will be there, chatting about our books in Breaking the Boundary and talking about the impact teenage crime novels have on their readers. www.bloodyscotland.com
So if you are in Scotland over the summer why not drop by and say hello.
If you are going to a book festival - tell us who you are going to see and where.
If you are an author appearing in one of these festivals over the summer - leave the details in the comments and let us know.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will be appearing at ...
Fringe By The Sea on Friday 9th August at 12 noon
Edinburgh International Book Festival on Sat 10th August at 1.30pm
Bloody Scotland with Sophie McKenzie on Saturday 14th September at 12 noon
Linda Strachan is the author of over 60 books for all ages from picture books to teenage novels and a writing handbook Writing For Children. Her latest novel is Don't Judge Me
website www.lindastrachan.com
Blog http://writingthebookwords.blogspot.co.uk/
4 comments:
The north-east is obviously the place to be for children's writers! (And other kinds, too.)
Getting my bags packed any day now - and I'll see you in Edinburgh :)
How lovely to have so many festivals around you. Do have a great time and tell us all about it. Scotland seems to be a very kind place to writers in all sorts of ways. (Sigh!)
Harrogate is in the middle of its Crime Festival (the literary one!) here but after being with inspiring writers last week, I feel I need to work and not get even more sidetracked than usual. My festivities will have to wait for Ilkley and the other autumn programmes.
Loking forward to seeing you , Mary.
Sue North Berwick is just south of Edinburgh. Not at Berwick, A common mistake!
Yes we are v fortunate lots of writer things on up here .
Penny sounds like you are busy writing. Power to your pen!
Post a Comment