Dean Atta comes to Muirhouse Library for Book Week Scotland event

Muirhouse library partners with Craigroyston Community High School to spark conversation about identity and self-expression

Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, has announced that Glasgow-based poet and young adult author Dean Atta will visit Muirhouse Library for Book Week Scotland 2019 on Monday 18 November from 11am – 12.30pm.

Book Week Scotland is a national celebration of reading and writing that runs from 18 November to 24 November. Taking inspiration from this year’s Book Week theme ‘Conversation’, Muirhouse Library will invite S2 students from Craigroyston Community High School to join Dean Atta in conversation about ‘What It Means To Be Who We Are’.

Named one of the most influential LGBT people in the UK by the Independent on Sunday, Dean will discuss his latest book The Black Flamingo (Hodder), life and work fighting for LGBTQ rights. Organisers hope that the event will offer an open forum for conversation with the young people about issues that affect them on a personal level.

The event forms part of ‘Pitch It’, which invited groups and individuals all over Scotland to submit their dream event for one of four big names. In addition to covering the authors’ fees, Scottish Book Trust has provided each successful host with £500 to help deliver their event.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “We’ve been so impressed by the standard of pitches we received to host these authors. The energy and enthusiasm demonstrated by all applicants throughout this process is a great reflection on the health of book-loving communities all over Scotland. I hope that the opportunity to host one of our four fantastic authors will encourage and inspire conversation in communities the length and breadth of the country.”

Initiated by the Scottish Government and supported by £200,000 from the National Lottery through Creative Scotland Targeted Funding and £26,000 from SLIC, Book Week Scotland 2019 will be delivered by Scottish Book Trust from 18 November – 24 November.

For more information about Book Week Scotland 2019 and how you can get involved, visit www.bookweekscotland.com where you can find information about all the events taking place in your local area.

Dean Atta, said: “I’m really looking forward to taking part in Book Week Scotland and the opportunity to share my new book, The Black Flamingo. I’ll talk about the process behind writing it and dig deeper into some of the issues raised in the book, such as racism, homophobia and self-acceptance.

“Poetry collections and novels have been companions to me at times when I needed to escape and have also helped me to understand myself better. I hope through hearing my work and process, the audience might find new appreciation for things they might not have considered before.”

Tony Stewart, Muirhouse Library, said: “We are very excited to be hosting Dean Atta and the S2s from Craigroyston High School here at Muirhouse Library for a conversation about self-identity, gender and what it means to be me.”

Event details 

11.00am – 12.30pm, Muirhouse Library, Edinburgh (NB: closed event)