Edinburghers win national writing competition

Special journeys to feature in Book Week Scotland special edition

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Three Edinburgh residents who wrote a short story about a special journey for a national writing competition have had their submissions chosen to be published in a book.

George Watt, Lorna Malone and Catherine McDonald beat off competition from 600 other entries to win a place in Journeys, a special book to be published as part of Book Week Scotland. George’s story George’s Journey, Lorna’s story Taking It In Baby Steps and Catherine’s story Meet Me At St. Monans will feature alongside entries from 37 other winners and author contributors such as Andrew O’Hagan, Jenni Fagan, Tom Pow and Lucy Ribchester.

Commenting on the publication of his story, George said: “When I was told my story was chosen by Scottish Book Trust I was surprised and delighted to know it was to be included in the book. Lauren and Caley my granddaughters are proud to say “my Papa is now an author!””

George’s story can be read on Scottish Book Trust’s website: http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/writing/journeys/story/georges-journey

Lorna said: I’m delighted that my piece has been included in Journeys. This is the second time my writing has been selected by the Scottish Book Trust and it’s really rewarding to know that other people have enjoyed reading it. The SBT projects have definitely incentivised me to keep plugging away with my writing and to keep sharing. I’d urge anyone with a story to tell to get involved.”

Lorna’s story can be read on Scottish Book Trust’s website:http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/writing/journeys/story/taking-it-in-baby-steps

Catherine’s story can also be read on the site at http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/writing/journeys/story/meet-me-at-st-monans

The competition was held by Scottish Book Trust, a national charity changing lives through reading and writing, and encouraged intrepid storytellers across Scotland to share in writing the journeys that meant most to them – from a trip around the world to revisiting a precious moment from the past. Contributions included poems as well as prose.

To celebrate the fourth year of Book Week Scotland (23 – 29 November 2015) more than 150,000 free copies of Journeys will be given to people throughout the week. The books will be distributed in local bookshops, public libraries, prisons, hospitals, visitor information centres, ferry terminals and train stations. All the stories entered for the competition are available to read atwww.bookweekscotland.com.

Journeys also features original commissioned contributions from some new voices in Scottish literature including Malachy Tallack, Lucy Ribchester, wildlife film maker Gordon Buchanan and a special contribution in Gaelic from Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust said: “This project has given people of all ages living in Scotland the inspiration to write the story of a special journey – some for the very first time. We received hundreds of submissions from members of the public, sharing beautifully unique stories of real or emotional journeys and are delighted to be able to give away 150,000 free copies of this wonderful book for Book Week Scotland 2015.”

All the entries to the Journeys campaign can be read at http://scottishbooktrust.com/writing/journeys/read-stories

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davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer