On Wednesday 30 October, an event was held at City Art Centre in Edinburgh to celebrate the publication of Blether, a free book created by Scottish Book Trust for this year’s Book Week Scotland celebrating a Year of Conversation.
Writers from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Inverness, Oban and more had the opportunity to gather together and read their works. Continue reading Scottish Book Trust celebrates publication of free Blether book
Scottish Book Trust has launched Book Week Scotland’s 2019 programme with comic book artist Frank Quitely of DC Comics All Star Superman and Batman and Robin fame.
Book Week Scotland, the country’s biggest celebration of reading and writing, returns for its eight year with hundreds of events taking place all over Scotland from intimate community gatherings to flagship events with well-loved authors. Continue reading Book Week Scotland programme launched
SiMBA is holding a special event; My Little Star: A Conversation About the Power of Reading & Memory Making with Babies After Loss to celebrate Book Week Scotland 2019 (18 to 24 November).
Book Week Scotland is a national celebration of books and reading that brings hundreds of free events to a variety of venues across the country. Continue reading Read all about SiMBA’s Book Week Scotland celebrations
Join Nicola Tuxworth and Gavin Yule of Lung Ha Theatre Company in conversation with Ian Rankin, one of the world’s most celebrated crime writers. This special event takes place just days after the re-release of Ian’s 1990 novel, Westwind; and will be followed by a Q&A and book-signing.
Ian Rankin is a highly-celebrated Scottish author based in Edinburgh whose novels are translated in 22 languages and are best-selling on several continents. His latest Rebus novel, In a House of Lies, was published in paperback earlier this year and was a number one bestseller.
Michael Fraser, Company Manager at Lung Ha Theatre Company said: “Lung Ha Theatre Company is absolutely delighted to be working with the brilliant Ian Rankin as part of Book Week Scotland.
“LUNG cHAts is a series of interviews conducted by Lung Ha Theatre Company performers, that, to date, have featured many very important figures from the Scottish cultural and creative scenes; LUNG cHAts Live with Ian Rankin promises to be one of the best interviews yet.”
“We would like to thank our wonderful event partners Six Point Productions as well as Book Week Scotland, the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and Orion Publishing for their help in making this special event happen.”
Fergus Munro from Six Point Productions said: “We are excited and privileged to be working alongside Lung Ha Theatre Company.
“Six Point is an emerging production company made up of Acting and English students from Edinburgh Napier University. We are united by a passion to elevate the Scottish voice, embrace culture and reinvent tradition.
“We are delighted to be co-producing an event which reflects these values. We have loved working with Lung Ha Theatre Company as co-producers, they are a company who are consistently inventive, inspiring and passionate.”
LUNG cHAts is a series of filmed interviews with prominent Scottish arts figures conducted by members of Lung Ha Theatre Company, Scotland’s leading theatre company working with people with learning disabilities.
Thus far interviewees have included Diane Henderson, Deputy Artistic Director of Edinburgh International Film Festival; award-winning photographer Peter Dibdin; Mark Fisher, leading theatre critic and author writing for The Guardian and The Scotsman; and Jude Docherty, Chief Executive and Co-Artistic Director of Grid Iron Theatre Company.
LUNG cHAts Live with Ian Rankin is the first time an interview will take place in front of a live audience.
Tickets are on sale now on www.lyceum.org.uk/lungha
An opportunity for organisations, libraries and individuals to pitch their dream event returns this year for Book Week Scotland. Continue reading Pitch It returns for Book Week Scotland
Professor of Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology Dame Sue Black has won the coveted 2018 Saltire Book of the Year award. Continue reading A Life in Death: Dame Sue Black wins Saltire Book of the Year award
Poverty Safari, the best-selling memoir about growing up in Glasgow by writer and performer Darren McGarvey, aka Loki, has been selected in an online vote for Book Week Scotland 2018 as the most rebellious read of the 21st century.
Now in its seventh year, Book Week Scotland is run by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing. In keeping with Book Week Scotland’s 2018 theme ‘Rebel’ readers were asked to select their most rebellious read from a shortlist of 21 non-fiction books.
Claiming 44% of all votes cast, Poverty Safari was followed in second place by A Streetcat Named Bob by James Bowen. Bowen’s inspiring story, which is also autobiographical, focuses on the healing relationship that he developed with an injured cat whilst homeless.
The Good Immigrant anthology edited by Nikesh Shukla, a crowdfunded book that challenges perceptions of immigrants with a diverse array of voices, took third place.
Over 3,500 people participated in the online poll, which was open for six weeks prior to the start of Book Week Scotland, and drew in record numbers of voters.
Poverty Safari, McGarvey’s first book, has garnered praise from across the political spectrum for its unflinching portrayal of the realities of growing up in poverty in Scotland. The book also won the Orwell Prize 2018 and was listed as a Sunday Times top ten best seller.
Initially crowdsourced through Scottish Book Trust’s website and social media channels, the rebellious read shortlist was decided by a panel, including: Head of General Collections of the National Library of Scotland, Graeme Hawley; Mairi Oliver, owner and bookseller of Lighthouse Books; and Literature Officer of Creative Scotland, Erin McElhinney.
The top ten most rebellious reads of the 21st century, as voted by the public are:
1. Poverty Safari by Darren McGarvey
2. A Streetcat Named Bob by James Bowen
3. The Good Immigrant by Nikesh Shukla
4. Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
5. Freedom is a Constant Struggle by Angela Y Davis
6. I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death by Maggie O’Farrell
7. I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
8. Nasty Women by 404 Ink
9. The Secret Barrister: Stories of the Law and How It’s Broken by the Secret Barrister
10. The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by Naomi Klein
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “I’m delighted to see record numbers participate in this year’s online vote. We always find that this is a great way to start new conversations about why different books matter to different people.
“This year, the spotlight is on books that challenge our perceptions and encourage us to ask questions about the way society works. Clearly, the top ten is exceptionally strong and it’s great to see that Poverty Safari, a home-grown success story by a new Scottish writer, has topped the list.”
Erin McElhinney, Literature Officer at Creative Scotland said: “Books can change the world – whether it’s a writer challenging the status quo, or a reader being introduced to new ideas.
“The books on this contemporary top ten list, and the strong public response to them, is a testament to the rebellious potential of the written word.”
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, has announced details of two events in Edinburgh featuring Akala as part of ‘Pitch It’, a new programme for Book Week Scotland 2018.
The award-winning rapper, writer and activist will appear at an afternoon event hosted by Lighthouse Books at the Traverse Theatre, which is SOLD OUT and also at an evening event at the Scottish Poetry Library hosted by the Edinburgh Caribbean Association, tomorrow – Sunday 25 November.
Book Week Scotland, now in its seventh year, is a national celebration of reading and writing. It runs from 19 November to 25 November, linked to the theme of ‘Rebel.’
Akala’s Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire speaks directly to British denial and squeamishness when it comes to confronting issues of race, class and the legacy of empire. Lighthouse Books will run workshops and a school competition exploring these issues in advance of Akala’s visit. Two members from each workshop will then be invited to present a banner about a missing piece of history to Akala during a private discussion.
This will be followed by an hour long public event and Q+A at the Traverse Theatre: Akala: A real history of empire for the next generation.
Akala will then appear at the Scottish Poetry Library for Edinburgh Caribbean Association’s event, Speak Up! An evening with Akala featuring performances from local young people, a performance from Akala himself and a DJ set. It is hoped that the experience will encourage participants to claim space and develop the confidence to make their voices heard.
The two local hosts were chosen as part of ‘Pitch It’, a new programme for Book Week Scotland 2018, which invited libraries, community groups, organisations and individuals all over Scotland to pitch for one of four literary stars to pay them a visit. In addition to covering the authors’ fees, Scottish Book Trust has provided each successful host with £500 to help deliver their event.
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 2018 will be delivered by Scottish Book Trust from 19 November – 25 November.
For more information about Book Week Scotland 2018 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.
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 the country.
“I want to congratulate each organisation that has been selected to work with us on a Pitch It event: I’m sure that the opportunity to host one of our handpicked line up of celebrated rebel writers will entertain and inspire.”
Noor Hermani, Bookseller at Lighthouse Books, said: “This chance for Lighthouse to work with Akala is a dream come true. So many of our events and books focus on attempting to represent the histories and experiences of people who are sidelined and considered ‘other’, whether because of race, gender, or class.
“We fundamentally believe that our role is to educate and include as many voices as possible in that education, and so the chance to pitch our ideas to one of our heroes has us dancing on the table!”
Lisa Williams, Director of the Edinburgh Caribbean Association, said: “This is a huge and exciting opportunity to host a youth event with Akala. As a hip hop artist, educator and historian, Akala is ideally positioned to relate to young people, and link with the work we have been doing around Black History education.
“His voice has helped to centre an important perspective on the intersection of race and class; knowledge that is often excluded from mainstream education. His dynamic personality, down to earth manner and deep understanding of his field encourages a culture of critical thinking and collaborative empowerment. This rare chance for young, often marginalised people in Edinburgh to personally connect with him and respond to his work will inspire confidence in their creative abilities, encourage them to speak up for social change and foster a love for literature in the widest sense.”
Dates
Akala: A real history of empire for the next generation, Traverse Theatre, Sunday 25 November, 3.30pm – 4.30pm === SOLD OUT ===
Speak Up! An evening with Akala, Scottish Poetry Library, Sunday 25 November, 7.00pm – 10.00pm
Monday November 19, 7.30pm to 9pm
Join Nutmeg, top football journalists, former Scotland internationalists, and football-mad authors as they invite you to decide on Scotland’s greatest-ever football rebel, for Book Week Scotland. Continue reading Who is Scotland’s greatest football rebel?
Rebellious and award-winning Scottish author, Claire Askew, is to embark on a tour for Scottish students as part of Book Week Scotland. Continue reading Rebel Claire embarks on student tour for Book Week Scotland
