A Scottish Castle, magical unicorns, and young heroes: Merchiston hosts best-selling author

FANTASTICAL BOOK LAUNCH AT MERCHISTON CASTLE SCHOOL

Merchiston Castle School, Scotland’s leading independent school for boys, hosted best-selling author AF Steadman for a private book launch and signing on 1 May. 

Author of the award-winning Skandar series, Ms Steadman held the exclusive event at the Edinburgh school to celebrate the launch of the third instalment of the collection, Skandar and The Chaos Trials

Merchiston was one of just three venues to host the author during a fleeting visit to Edinburgh, before she proceeded with the remainder of her UK tour.  

Extending the invitation to several local schools including St. George’s School for Girls, Cargilfield Prep School, and Longstone Primary School, Merchiston welcomed over 250 children into its impressive Memorial Hall. 

During the event, the author read an excerpt from the highly anticipated third novel, bringing to life her fantastical world of adventure, fierce friendships, rivalries, and heroic deeds for the audience of school children. A question-and-answer session ensued, followed by a book signing to conclude the event. 

Jonathan Anderson, Headmaster of Merchiston, said: “It was a privilege to host Annabel Steadman and fellow Edinburgh schools for this incredible special occasion.

“Words have the power to connect and transport us to other worlds, and with her incredible, fantastical descriptions of ferocious unicorns and heroes – Steadman’s books most certainly do that!

“This book reading and Q&A offered pupils the chance to engage with literature in an exciting and inspiring way, and to celebrate the pure joy of reading.”

Author Annabel Steadman commented on the book launch: “It was such a joy to return to Merchiston. The reading culture is truly phenomenal – encouraged by the school’s wonderful librarian Rachel.

“And as an author it was such an amazing opportunity to meet young readers from Merchiston as well as lots of pupils from schools in the nearby area who were invited along to mySkandar talk in the beautiful hall. Thank you!” 

Social Bite Founder, Josh Littlejohn MBE, publishes his first book

Dame Helen Mirren and Martin Compston are among those celebrating the book launched on Thursday 17th August

Leading social entrepreneur Josh Littlejohn MBE who has spearheaded initiatives that have raised over £25 million to help end homelessness, and can count George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio as supporters, has launched his first book, Paying It Forward: How to Be a Social Entrepreneur.

Paying It Forward, which is part memoir, part manifesto for social entrepreneurship, and part manual for putting purpose ahead of profit, has already gained praise from early readers including Sir Bob Geldof, novelist Irvine Welsh, film director Richard Curtis CBE, Olympian Sir Chris Hoy and actors Martin Compston and Dame Helen Mirren.

In the book labelled ‘an essential read for our times’ by Richard Curtis CBE, Josh gives practical advice and guidance to those looking to enter the world of social entrepreneurship and shares inspirational stories from homeless people he has met over the last decade.

Josh also shares his personal story, exploring the ups and downs of founding and growing Social Bite – from opening a string of cafés, to creating a village to house homeless people, and staging fundraising ‘sleep outs’ all over the world.

Celebrating the launch in Social Bite’s original café in Edinburgh, Josh Littlejohn said: “I’m thrilled to launch my first ever book, Paying it Forward, which tells my story and chronicles all of the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, and humour of life as a social entrepreneur.

“I hope it offers practical lessons to inspire anyone interested in using their own skills to make a difference in the world. Most importantly,

“I hope it shines a light on the remarkable people I have met over the years from homeless backgrounds who inspire me every day. It’s been a pleasure to work with the team at Heligo Books on Paying it Forward and I’m so excited for people to read the book.”

Josh began working on the homelessness issue when he co-founded a small café in Edinburgh in 2012 and a young homeless man named Peter Hart plucked up the courage to go in and ask for a job.

This chance moment inspired a social enterprise that now operates six cafes in Scotland and London, offering jobs and food to homeless and vulnerable people.

In 2018, Josh and his team launched the Social Bite Village, a purpose-built community providing homes which has so far helped to house almost 100 people. In 2019, Josh launched ‘The World’s Big Sleepout’, with events in over 52 cities around the globe, and 60,000 people sleeping out in the world’s largest ever display of solidarity for homeless and displaced people.

Josh has so far helped raise over £25 million for charitable and homelessness causes and received an MBE from the Queen. He has received a Pride of Britain Award, a Robert Burns Humanitarian Award, five honorary doctorates and he also been included in Debrett’s list of the most influential people in the UK.

Paying it Forward: How to be a Social Entrepreneur was published in hardback, audio and eBook on Thursday (17th August 2023). 

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Social Bite to help combat homelessness.

Books can also be ordered online here: 

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/paying-it-forward/josh-littlejohn/9781788708401

Foyles: https://www.foyles.co.uk/book/paying-it-forward/josh-littlejohn/9781788708401

Amazon: amzn.to/3JJ4KGW

Book launch at granton:hub

Join us at granton:hub to launch Kenneth G. Williamson’s book, Edinburgh, Granton and Leith Railways, a collection of historic photographs on Sunday 28th of May 2023 from 2pm – 4pm.

Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/book-launch-edinburgh…

With a wealth of superb rare and previously unpublished images, Kenneth G. Williamson tells the story of Edinburgh, Granton and Leith railways.

‘In 1861, the Caledonian Railway, in its efforts to gain a foothold in Granton and Leith, opened a line from Slateford to Granton with a connection to Granton Harbour, where the Edinburgh, Dundee & Perth Railway (NBR) was already established. The CR further built, at great expense, an elevated line to Leith Docks in an effort to establish itself in one of Scotland’s busiest ports. Significant dock traffic never materialised and the CR’s 1903 Leith New Lines failed. The North British Railway meanwhile, in their attempt to keep the CR out of Leith, opened Leith Central station in 1903 – the largest station constructed in Britain from scratch in the twentieth century. The station was much larger than necessary and as such was never used to its full potential. It was converted in 1955 to a Diesel Maintenance Depot and in 1972 closed completely.’

This is one story, come along on the day and enjoy many others!

A small number of books will be available for purchase or bring your own copy for signing.

Dementia book launch at Stockbridge Library

Are you interested in learning more about dementia and how to support those who are affected by it? Do you have dementia and have questions about what it all means? A new self-help book, “FAQs on Dementia” written by Tom Russ and Michael Huddleston comes out today!

To celebrate this exciting release, there will be a book launch event at Stockbridge library on Friday 5th May, from 3.30pm-4.30pm. The event will feature the authors, and some friends and colleagues with dementia. Representatives from Alzheimer Scotland, Brain Health Scotland, the NRS Neuroprogressive and Dementia Research Network will be there to share information.

The Golden Hare bookshop will be in attendance to sell the book, so you will have the chance to buy your own copy at the event.

Here’s an extract from the blurb:

Will my partner stop loving me now they have dementia?

Does my mum have to go into a home now?

Is dementia a terminal illness?

All these questions, and hundreds more, are covered in this short but powerful, helpful, practical guide to understanding the nature, and impact, of dementia. Read at your leisure, or dip in and out when you most need the support or to shine a light on the issues and concerns that are making you uncomfortable or unhappy, and to bring them out of the shadows so you can understand and accept them.

Counter at Native to host Scottish book launch of Feel Good Club

Counter at Native Edinburgh will host the Scottish book launch of Feel Good Club, written by popular Manchester based entrepreneurs Kiera and Aimie Lawlor-Skillen. 

Purchase tickets for Feel Good Club’s Scottish book launch at Counter from 7 – 8pm Thursday 29th September for only £4 here. The £4 event voucher is redeemable against a copy of the book and will help Lighthouse bookshop continue to run events. Alternatively, guests can purchase an event ticket and the Feel Good Club book for £9.99. 

Guests will hear Kiera and Aimie Lawlow-Skillen discuss their debut book, written for the sole purpose of making people feel good, in Native Edinburgh’s stunning lounge space, Counter.

Renowned around the UK for their inspirational Instagram account @wearefeelgoodclub, the dynamic couple also operate Feel Good Club coffee shop and events space in Manchester and have now turned their talents to writing. 

The debut book brings Feel Good Club’s trademark inspiring quotes to life, offering real-life wisdom and enabling readers to overcome life’s tough moments. Feel Good Club’s mission is to normalise sharing how we feel and making people feel good through positive, accessible self-help. 

The launch comes following a new partnership for Counter with one of Edinburgh’s most radical, independently owned bookshops, Lighthouse. Lighthouse are set to host monthly feminist book salons at Counter each month, transforming Native Edinburgh’s luxurious lounge into a feminist book club with a series of talks and events from thought-provoking writers.

Stay tuned for upcoming events via @lighthousebks and @counterplaces

Queer owned and women led, Lighthouse is an intersectional, feminist, antiracist, LGBTQ+ community space and home to over 10,000 titles. Named as Scotland’s Best Independent Bookshop in 2020, Lighthouse will now partner with Counter at Native Edinburgh to host events, talks and book launches – bringing their feminist salon events to the aparthotel’s inspiring lounge space. 

Counter serves up coffee by day and cocktails by night at Native Edinburgh’s newly renovated aparthotels on Queen Street. The stylish lounge offers coffee, co-working, cocktails and events. 

Open 11am – 1am to all, including non-residents, Counter’s lush green hues and botanical themes take inspiration from the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens, welcoming guests into a peaceful haven right in the heart of Edinburgh. 

With 82 apartments comprising studios, one bedrooms, and ground floor leisure and co-working spaces, Native Edinburgh provides the flexibility and amenities of a design-led boutique hotel, coupled with the space, comfort and privacy of a home from home.

View Lighthouse’s upcoming events via www.lighthousebookshop.com/events or visit the store at 43-45 West Nicolson Street. 

Native’s show-stopping new rooms are available to book now via www.nativeplaces.com and Counter is open seven days a week.

For full Counter programming, visit www.nativeplaces.com/whats-on-edinburgh

ENTITLED: Gill Merton book launch at Gilmerton Community Centre

ENTITLED by Gill Merton

BOOK LAUNCH

Wednesday 18th May

Gilmerton Community Centre 7-9pm

“I was HOOKED after the third page! Literally even text my better half to say I wasn’t going to be able to put it down!” Review MorellisReads

In 1971, Nan Douglas and her toddler twins arrived on the remote island of Inniscuiilin, the long-lost family of the eccentric Miss Campbell.

For fifteen years, they all live quietly up at the Big House until the twins start planning their future – forcing Nan to confront their past.Because someone somewhere believes that the twins aren’t twins.

That they’re not even Nan’s children. And that Nan isn’t Nan.Only Nan herself can prove them wrong – but it’s a gamble. Win or lose, she’s still at risk of losing her beloved family …

Gill Merton is the collective pen name for five local writers, based at Gilmerton Community Centre on Drum Street in Edinburgh.

Please come along to hear readings from the novel and hear what it has been like to write collaboratively … copies of the book witll be available by donation, all proceeds to Ukraine.

Publication generously funded by the National Lottery Awards For All.

RSVP or turn up on the night!

WriteRight Editing Services at http://www.writerightediting.co.uk

Author of A Blonde Bengali Wifehttp://www.facebook.com/ablondebengaliwife

Twitter @AnneHamilton7

“All children should read this book”: No Worries, say Forthview parents

Praise for Forthview parents’ ‘wonderful resource’

A book encouraging children to talk about anxiety has been written and published by Forthview Primary School parents as part of Children’s Mental Health Week. The parents’ work has been praised by Lothians MSP Miles Briggs, who tabled a congratulatory motion at the Scottish Parliament.

‘No Worries’ tells the tale of a group of primary school children going on school camp, each facing and overcoming their different anxieties. Each of the eight characters’ stories was developed by a parent drawing on their own experiences.

The Forthview parents were helped in their venture through a series of writing workshops with author Mary Turner Thomson and used money from the school’s Pupil Equity Funding to publish the book with WhiteWater Publishing Ltd.

The launch, which took place yesterday at the National Library of Scotland, was attended by Deputy First Minister and Education Secretary John Swinney alongside Councillor Alison Dickie, Vice Convener of the city council’s Education, Children and Families committee.

The Forthview book launch was one of several events involving schools and young people across the Capital to highlight Children’s Mental Health Week. These include St Catherine’s Primary School pupils contributing to a short film on mental health, a singing workshop at Tynecastle High (both also supported by Place2Be) and a young people’s event exploring social anxiety and young people as part of the council’s Growing Confidence programme.

forthview parents 1

Forthview parent, Yvonne Thompson, said: “Writing this book has been a positive experience for each of us, as mental health has an impact on ourselves, our families and within our community. We supported each other through the process of making this book and learnt about the process of writing a book, how we structure stories, use proper grammar and punctuation. 

“Writing the book has been somewhat therapeutic for some of us, as we thought about our own anxieties and how they affect us so that we can help our children deal with their worries – it was a great sense of achievement being able to help our children.”

Tracey Berry, the popular Family Support Teacher at Forthview, received an MBE in 2013 for her work at Forthview and Craigmuir schools in West Pilton, and she helped co-ordinate the latest ‘No Worries’ book project.

Tracey said: “At Forthview we are all very excited to have been part of this writing project. This book is really special and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working closely with this group of parents.

“I’ve watched them grow in confidence as they have produced this wonderful book, written solely with the purpose of supporting their children and other children with a range of anxieties.”

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education John Swinney said: “Pupil Equity Funding is empowering teachers to put in place creative new initiatives to tackle the attainment gap in their schools. 

“This is a great resource which starts to teach children how to handle anxiety in a way they can understand and relate to and I hope it will be put to good use. By giving our young people the right knowledge and understanding about emotional and mental wellbeing we can help to ensure important conversations about mental health become an everyday part of life.”

Councillor Alison Dickie, Vice Convener of Education, Children and Families at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “What a wonderful resource!  I’ve been really moved reading ‘No Worries’ as it uses simple language and scenarios that children understand to convey a crucial message about the importance of talking about our feelings and anxieties.

“As a former teacher, (Cllr Dickie taught at Ferryhill Primary in Drylaw) I understand how challenging it can be for young people to deal with their worries, and how alone they can feel.  This children’s book helps them to find their own voice and to have that first, sometimes very difficult, opening conversation.  All children should read this book!”

The Scottish Conservatives health spokesperson Miles Briggs MSP has congratulated the Forthview parents for their efforts to break down barriers. He said: “The No Worries book is a great initiative to get children talking about their anxieties and mental wellbeing.

“In Scotland there is still stigma attached to mental health and getting children to talk about mental health from a young age is exactly what is needed to break down these barriers. I highly commend all of those involved with the No Worries book for their part in helping to improve young people’s mental health.”

The Lothians MSP tabled the following congratulatory motion at Holyrood:

Title: Edinburgh pupils and parents mark Children’s Mental Health Week

Motion:

That the Parliament congratulates the parents and pupils in Edinburgh who are helping to highlight Children’s Mental Health Week which takes place this week; notes that parents from Forthview Primary School have written a book entitled “No Worries” which encourages children to talk about anxiety; further notes that the parents were helped in their venture by writing workshops with author Mary Turner Thomson and that the book has been published by WhiteWater Publishing Ltd.;

is also aware that, with the support of Place2Be, pupils from St Catherine’s Primary School are contributing to a short film on mental health and a singing workshop will take place at Tynecastle High, and that a young people’s event exploring social anxiety will take places as part of Edinburgh Council’s Growing Confidence programme; commends all those involved in these initiatives, and considers that they have the potential to play an important role in improving young people’s mental health by raising awareness and understanding of mental health challenges and reducing the stigma that may be associated with them.

Local author to launch debut crime novel

Local author Marianne Wheelaghan (pictured above) is launching her debut crime novel, Food of Ghosts, on Thursday. Marianne, who also runs a successful B&B, was a volunteer helper at a NENgage social media session in Stockbridge Library last month, and she’s delighted to share her latest news with NEN readers:
“I’m launching my debut crime novel, Food of Ghosts, on 8 November at Blackwell’s Bookshop, South Bridge (6.30pm). The event is FREE but ticketed, the tickets are available from the front desk. What will happen on the 8th: there will be a strong Pacific theme and I’ll say why I set my first thriller on a small coral atoll as far away as you can get from Scotland before coming back again!
“There will be bubbly and the opportunity to ask questions – as well as the chance to win a signed copy of the book. Food of Ghosts is my second novel, the first being the best-selling novel, The Blue Suitcase, which is based on my mother’s true-life story and tells the remarkable story of a teenage girl growing up in Nazi Germany.”
A tempting appetizer!