Tag: writing

BBC’s 500 Words competition winners announced

The winners of the UK’s most successful children’s writing competition, 500 Words, have been unveiled on World Book Day® in a special episode of The One Show – 500 Words with The One Show – on BBC One and iPlayer.

From thousands of talented entries, six exceptional young authors who submitted their stories to the BBC’s 500 words competition were crowned last week at the Grand Final in Buckingham Palace, with their identities kept secret until the big reveal on today’s special edition of The One Show.

Her Majesty the Queen invited Romesh Ranganathan and a host of celebrity readers including Hugh Bonneville, Oti Mabuse, Luke Evans, Olivia Dean, Tom Hiddleston and star of Matilda, Alisha Weir, to Buckingham Palace for the final event which opened with a special performance of ‘Pure Imagination’ from ‘Wonka’, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures, followed by ‘When I Grow Up’ performed by the West End cast of Matilda The Musical.

All the excitement from entire event, including all the live performances by celebrity readers of the winning stories, will be available to watch on CBBC at 4pm Friday 8 March.

Speaking at the Grand Final, Her Majesty The Queen said: “In the three years that we have been without this wonderful competition, I think we have realised how much we have missed it.

“Over the years, it has actually turned into half a billion words that have been written, typed, scribbled and tumbled onto thousands of pages by children across the UK, read by an army of volunteers and then sent to Oxford University Press to form the biggest collection of children’s writing in the world.

“That means that between you, you have created more than a million stories of thought-provoking adventure for future generations to study and enjoy. Thank you to everybody who has taken part in 500 Words – it is a huge pleasure to have you back.”

BBC Head of Education, Helen Foulkes said: “It’s incredible that we received almost 44,000 entries – the calibre of stories submitted this year have been exceptionally high.

“500 Words is all about encouraging children from across the UK to enjoy writing and let their imaginations run wild, without fear of spelling, punctuation or grammar. Our hope is that every child that entered continues to fall in love with writing.”

The six winners were chosen from two age group categories, ages 5-7 and 8-11 with each consisting of gold, silver and bronze awards.

500 Words Gold Winners

  • The GOLD Winner for 5-7 age group is Evan from London, his story, Message in a Bottle was read by singer Olivia Dean. Evan said: “I like writing descriptions, letters and diaries.”
  • The GOLD Winner for the 8-11 age group is Olive from London, her story, Cellmate was read by actor, Tom Hiddleston. Olive said: “It came from the depths of my brain, I never knew what was down there, now I do!”

500 Words Silver Winners

  • The SILVER Winner for the 5-7 age group is Clara from Leicestershire, her story, Pony With a Coat on – Solving Crimes was read by Matilda star, Alisha Weir.
  • The SILVER Winner for the 8-11 age group was Spencer from Glasgow, his story, The Scottish Gangsta was read by Hugh Bonneville.

500 Words Bronze Winners

  • The BRONZE Winner for the 5-7 age group was Henry from Oxfordshire, his story The Alien and the Purple Planet was read by Oti Mabuse.
  • The BRONZE Winner for the 8-11 age group was Aaron from Oxfordshire, his story A Very Important Lesson was read by actor and singer, Luke Evans.

The 500 Words judges included Sir Lenny Henry, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Francesca Simon, Charlie Higson, and Malorie Blackman, who were chaired by BBC Breakfast’s Jon Kay.

Each of the finalist’s stories are available to read now on the BBC Teach website, alongside audio versions which have been voiced specially by BBC Radio Drama Actors

Metaphrog coming to Granton Library

GRANTON Libary is excited to announce a superb author/illustrator visit coming to the Library after the holidays!

John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs, also known as Metaphrog, are award-winning graphic novelists whose work has a huge fanbase.

Are you aged 8-13 and love graphic novels, illustration and cartooning? This event is for you! They’ll share some insights about their working practice and guide you through some comic book inspiration so that you can create your own comic strips!

This will be a friendly workshop-style event in the library. Free to attend, all welcome.

Eventbrite link is here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/metaphrog-author-and…

Edinburgh author wins prestigious Fellowship

Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing, has today announced the fifth Ignite Fellowship awardees – including Edinburgh-based author Tim Tim Cheng. 

The Ignite Fellowship supports established writers embarking on a significant project. The Fellows receive a £2,000 bursary and tailored creative support to suit their individual projects.

Gail Anderson, (above) based in North Ayrshire, and Gaelic writer Rody Gorman, based on Skye (below), have also been awarded Ignite Fellowships this year.

Tim Tim Cheng is a poet and teacher from Hong Kong, whose writing explores womanhood, multilingualism and psycho-geography.

Her debut pamphlet Tapping at Glass was published by Verve Poetry Press earlier this year, and she also co-edited an anthology of Hong Kong poetry, Where Else, coming out with the press on 27 April.

Tim Tim Cheng will use the Ignite Fellowship to work on her forthcoming debut collection, inspired by her time in Scotland.

Tim Tim Cheng (above) said: ‘I am so grateful for the award. I am working on my first full poetry collection as I try to settle down as a new immigrant.

“The support will surely help me focus on making the book better!

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘Congratulations to our three new Ignite Fellows, who are very deserving of this award.

“The Ignite Fellowship provides writers with essential mentoring, financial assistance and practical support that will help them reach new heights in their careers.’

Dyslexia Awareness Week: How to support your child if they have a learning difficulty

This week is Dyslexia Awareness Week (4th– 10th October) and an education expert has shared five pieces of advice on how to support children if they have learning disabilities.

Interestingly, research conducted by Oxford Home Schooling revealed that while overseeing their children’s learning during lockdown, many parents spotted potential signs of a learning difficulty.

Nearly half (47%) identified symptoms of dyslexia (difficulty reading, writing and spelling), whilst more than one in four (29%) observed possible indicators of dysgraphia (impaired handwriting or spelling).

To help parents who now think their child may have a learning difficulty, Greg Smith, Head of Operations at Oxford Home Schooling, has put together a guide on how best to support your child and what your next steps should be.

1. Get your child diagnosed

If your child’s difficulties are having a significant impact on their learning, it’s a good idea to have them tested for a condition and diagnosed.

A diagnosis can open the door for your child to receive appropriate learning support in school. This includes allowing them extra time in exams and being supported by a teaching assistant, so it’s a good idea to look into this as early as possible.

If you’ve observed signs that your child may have a learning difficulty, you should speak to your GP, who can either make the diagnosis themselves, or refer the child for the appropriate tests.

2. Speak to your GP

Once a child is diagnosed with a learning difficulty, you should consult your GP. They will then be able to recommend and refer you to an appropriate specialist for support1.

Specialists can include speech and language therapists, educational and clinical psychologists and paediatricians, among others.

3. Make the school aware

Once you have an idea of the areas where your child is struggling, you will need to make their school and teachers aware of the situation.

This will allow the school to put extra support in place should your child require it. They will need time to consider how the condition might affect the child’s learning and work out how best to adapt their teaching.

4. Talk to others

Many parents find it difficult to process the diagnosis of a learning difficulty and it can be a challenge to adapt to your child’s new needs.

Don’t be afraid to seek out the support of other parents who have experienced similar situations. There are many support groups and forums out there for advice, and you and your child can even build new friendships.

5. Support your child

The important thing to remember is that you need to support your child, whether this is with their learning, or any other aspects of life that they struggle with.

Being diagnosed with a learning difficulty is by no means the end of the world and children with such conditions go on to enjoy rich and fulfilling lives.

You will need to be patient, and it may be challenging at times, but with the correct support system in place your child will be fine.

For information on the benefits of homeschooling for children with learning disabilities and special educational needs, head to this page: 

https://www.oxfordhomeschooling.co.uk/special-situations/

Joseph Coelho crowned Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2022-2024

Joseph Coelho, award-winning performance poet, playwright and children’s author, has today been crowned the Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2022 – 2024.

Coelho was presented with the bespoke silver Laureate medal by outgoing Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Cressida Cowell MBE, at a ceremony held at The Unicorn Theatre, London.

The Waterstones Children’s Laureate is the foremost representative of children’s literature, awarded biannually to a renowned writer or illustrator in recognition of exceptional talent.

Managed by BookTrust – the UK’s largest children’s reading charity – and sponsored by Waterstones, this prestigious role celebrates creativity and storytelling, promotes the vital importance of reading and children’s literature, and champions the right of every child to enjoy a lifetime enriched with books and stories.

Each Laureate brings their own passion and creativity to their tenure.

At yesterday’s ceremony, Joseph Coelho – who is acclaimed for his work including the Luna Loves picture books, middle grade series Fairy Tales Gone Bad, YA verse novel The Girl Who Became a Tree, as well as poetry collections for all ages including Overheard in a Tower Block and Poems Aloud – revealed that his tenure will celebrate the power of poetry, showcase new authors and illustrators to diversify bookshelves and inspire bookmakers of the future, and champion public libraries and the role they play in communities.

Joseph also performed a new poem written to mark the occasion, entitled ‘The Power of a Poem’.

Joseph Coelho, Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2022–2024, said: “Poetry is powerful, it is the medium we turn to at weddings, funerals and new births because it goes beyond mere words, poetry translates the soul.

“I want to use the prestigious platform of the Waterstones Children’s Laureate to highlight and celebrate the power of poetry. To invite the nation, young and old, to write poems, to become poets.

“I want to ensure that every child has the opportunity to see themselves in books and as bookmakers through the plethora of new and exciting voices we have coming out of the UK – to diversify bookshelves so that every child can imagine themselves as writers, illustrators and poets.

“And, finally I want to hug every library, these miraculous institutions where new horizons line the shelves, where minds go to grow. Libraries made me a writer and make communities thrive – I wish to champion the services of these essential launchpads of learning.

“I’m trying to connect with and heal my younger self – a self-unable to imagine a future writing and publishing books. Through this work, through the young people and families I am lucky enough to interact with, I’m trying to reach down through time and tell little Joe “You can write, you can be a writer, your voice is valid your words are waiting to be heard.” Because I know that when the youth of today hear that message, he’ll hear it too.”

To deliver Coelho’s ambitions, his Laureateship will focus on three major projects:

  • ‘Bookmaker Like You’ will showcase new talent within the industry and spotlight their work, so that children are introduced to a range of creatives that truly reflect everyone in our diverse society, and ensure that every child can see themselves as a bookmaker.
  • ‘Poetry Prompts’ will celebrate the power of poetry in all its forms, breaking down the fear often associated with reading and writing to show why poems are for everyone, and the joy that writing, reading and performing poetry can bring.
  • Coelho will also champion local libraries, highlighting the vital role they play within the community and inspiring a love of reading in young people, by completing his ‘Library Marathon’ to join a library in every local authority in the UK, and encourage even more people to register with their local library.

Kate Edwards, Chair of the Waterstones Children’s Laureate Steering Group and Chair of the Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2022–24 Judging Panel, said: “Nominations for this prestigious role are invited from hundreds of literature, literacy and education organisations across the UK, and we are thrilled to welcome Joseph to the ‘League of Laureates’.

“His dynamic performance, passionate advocacy and engaging writing – which inspires children of all ages – cemented our choice for the next Waterstones Children’s Laurate, to champion the right of every child to enjoy a lifetime rich in books and stories.

“The Steering Group is looking forward to working with Joseph over the next two years to reach even more children and communities, following on from the wonderful work of the outgoing Laureate Cressida Cowell MBE. On behalf of the judges, I extend Joseph our warmest congratulations.”

Diana Gerald, CEO at BookTrust, said: “At BookTrust we believe all children should enjoy the life changing benefits of reading, and we are honoured to manage the Waterstones Children’s Laureate.

“Joseph Coelho is a truly wonderful successor to Cressida Cowell MBE as he becomes the twelfth Laureate. Joseph is an extraordinary advocate for making poetry accessible to all, celebrating creativity and storytelling and inspiring younger generations to find their voice, pick-up a pen, join a library and read a book.

“I have no doubt that the Laureate platform will help amplify his ability to reach even more young people, and show how books and reading can broaden horizons.”

Florentyna Martin, Head of Children’s at Waterstones, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Joseph Coelho to the post of Waterstones Children’s Laureate.

“His passion for stories and poetry brings a hefty dose of sunshine to readers, inspiring all those who experience his work. It is exciting to think what the next two years will bring and our booksellers are eager to support his Laureate ambitions from the off; Joseph’s term will undoubtedly be one for the history books.”

Joseph Coelho will deliver the Creative Keynote at The Children’s Media Conference on Wednesday 6 July in his inaugural appearance as the new Waterstones Children’s Laureate.

Pupils’ letters from the trenches win national competition

Scottish pupils have stunned judges in a nationwide competition with their moving depictions of life in the First World War trenches.

Esha Ahmed, 15, from Fife, and Ciara, 11, from Midlothian, and have been announced as winners of Poppyscotland’s Letters to my Teacher competition. Young people were challenged to imagine themselves serving on the front line during the war and writing home to their former teachers.

Esha, an S3 pupil at Levenmouth Academy, won the secondary school category with her “honest and imaginative” letter.  Ciara, who is in P7 at Rosewell Primary, took the primary school award for her “genuinely touching” entry.

Esha reflected on the fragility of life as she described marching through wrecked French villages and towns, with the air thick with smoke and bodies lying on the ground.  Ciara wrote of trying to keep up morale in rat-infested trenches, amid the constant sound of gunshots and cries of severely wounded soldiers.

The competition was inspired by letters written by Scottish soldier Douglas Constable to John Hamilton, his former headteacher at St Mary’s Melrose School. Douglas left a promising publishing career to serve with the Grenadier Guards in Belgium and France. He was killed during the Battle of the Somme in 1916, aged 26.

This year’s contest received a record-breaking entry, with almost 500 letters from schools across Scotland. Eight judges from Poppyscotland, Legion Scotland, and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission shortlisted 12 entries to go through to the second round, with the public choosing the final winners.

Gordon Michie, Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising and Learning and one of the judges, said: “Our warmest congratulations to Ciara and Esha on their wins. This year saw an exceptionally high standard of entries, and choosing a shortlist was extremely difficult.

“Esha’s and Ciara’s beautifully written accounts stood out as full of imagination, honesty, and humanity. They managed to put themselves in the boots of First World War soldiers, painting a full picture of trench life and its brutalities.

“We’re very pleased that this competition captured the imaginations of primary and secondary school pupils across Scotland. Inspired by the letters of Douglas Constable, it was a chance for children to learn about the daily experiences of Scottish men and women who lived through the First World War.

“Poppyscotland’s learning programme aims to bring history to life, encouraging pupils to reflect on remembrance and the relevance of these events to the present day.”

Ronnie Ross, headteacher at Levenmouth Academy, said: “I was genuinely moved when I read Esha’s work. She has shown genuine compassion and empathy with those who fought on the frontline and protected the free world at the beginning of the twentieth century and for this she must be truly congratulated.”

Hope Wilson, Ciara’s teacher at Rosewell Primary, said: “We are extremely proud of Ciara. The Letters to my Teacher competition inspired many of our older pupils and it has been great to be a part of it.”

The winners will each receive £500 in Amazon vouchers for their school, a visit from Poppyscotland’s mobile museum, Bud, and a special class tour of Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh, when it reopens this autumn.

Ciara said: “I was really happy to find out that I had won. I had asked all my family and friends to vote for me so I am glad that they supported me!”

Writers take next step with SBT Ignite Fellowship bursaries

Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing, has today announced the fourth Ignite Fellowship awardees.

The Fellowship supports established writers who are embarking on a significant project. This year, the panel has selected author Meghan Flaherty from East Lothian and writer Michael Lee Richardson from Glasgow.

Martin MacIntyre, an author and storyteller from Edinburgh has been selected as the Gaelic Ignite Fellowship awardee, funded by the Gaelic Books Council.

The Ignite Fellows will receive a £2000 bursary and tailored creative support to suit their individual projects. The fellowship will run for one year, from December 2021 to December 2022.

Meghan Flaherty is the author of Tango Lessons, which Kirkus Reviews called “a vibrantly intelligent reading pleasure.” She has an M.F.A. from Columbia University in literary nonfiction. Her work has appeared in O, The Oprah Magazine, The Iowa Review, Psychology Today, Parents, and online at the New York Times, The Paris Review, and elsewhere. She moved to Scotland in September 2020.

During her Ignite Fellowship, Meghan will be working on her second book, a memoir about motherhood, memory, and the self – the stories we tell each other in order to live, and how those narratives define us.

Meghan Flaherty said: “I’m deeply honoured and delighted to be given the extra boost.

“With two small boys at home, my work is often first to slip from focus. Scottish Book Trust just gave me the support to change that, at least for this year!”

As well as a writer, Michael Lee Richardson is a youth worker. Their short film, My Loneliness is Killing Me – directed by Tim Courtney – won a BAFTA Scotland Award in 2018. Michael’s new short, Who I Am Now – directed by Jack Goessens – will be released soon. (NOTE: Michael Lee Richardson uses they/them pronouns)

Their radio drama, The End of the World, aired on BBC Radio Scotland, and their books The Extraordinary Life of Alan Turing and The Extraordinary Life of Freddie Mercury were published by Puffin.

During their Ignite Fellowship, Michael will work on The Other Team, a young adult novel set in Glasgow that follows the trials and tribulations of Mosaic, a ragtag football team made up of young gay, bisexual and transgender men.

It is based on characters from Michael’s short story of the same title which appears in the award-winning young adult anthology PROUD. Football forms the backdrop for the dramas of the young characters’ lives at home, touching on key themes of mental health, sex and relationships, with strong themes of community, friendship and team spirit.

Michael Lee Richardson said: “When I first started out as a writer, I used Scottish Book Trust’s website to learn how to write, and to find and apply for opportunities, and they’ve always been there for me as a writer – from being part of their Labs, to winning the New Writer’s Award, and delivering workshops as part of their Live Literature programme – so I’m delighted to receive this Fellowship and to be working with them again. 

“The Other Team is an idea I’ve had for a long time, and I’m so, so excited to get started.”

Martin MacIntyre is an acclaimed author, bard and storyteller, who has worked across these genres for over twenty years; he has written eight works of fiction and one collection of poems. In 2003 his short-stories in Gaelic and English, Ath-Aithne (Re-acquaintance), won The Saltire Society First Book Award.

His novels Gymnippers Diciadain (Wednesday Gymnippers) and An Latha As Fhaide (The Longest Day) were in contention for their Book of The Year awards in 2005 and 2008 while his second story collection Cala Bendita’s a Bheannachdan (Cala Bendita and its Blessings) was shortlisted for both The Donald Meek Award and The Saltire Literary Book of The Year in 2014.

For his Ignite Fellowship, Martin will be honing a new manuscript of Gaelic poems, inspired by Catalonia and Wales, to maximize their potential reach in up to four languages: Gaelic, Catalan, Welsh and English.

Martin MacIntyre said: “I am delighted; this is a very useful opportunity at this point in my career as a poet and specifically regarding this current ambitious collection.

“Catalonia and Wales proved fertile areas for the seeds of poems to grow and I am indebted to those whose company I shared on the way.”

“Tha mi air mo dhòigh glan; ’s e cothrom glè fheumail a tha sa phrogram aig an ìre seo nam dhreuchd mar bhàrd agus gu h-àraid a thaobh a’ chruinneachaidh ùir amasaich seo.

’S ann gu math torrach a bha ùir nan dàn an Catalonia is sa Chuimrigh is bu thoigh leam taing a thoirt dha na daoine fialaidh a ghabh rium air mo shlighe.”

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “Congratulations to our three new Ignite Fellows. We’re grateful to our funders for supporting this programme for a fourth year, providing writers with essential mentoring and financial assistance that will help their careers reach new heights.”

The Amplify Project podcast launched in Black History Month

Black British Writers In Their Own Words

The Amplify Project podcast has been launched to celebrate and highlight the importance of Black British writers across stage, page and screen in the UK. 

Hosted by award-winning writers; playwright, author and director, Patricia Cumper MBE and writer and creative producer, Pauline Walker, each episode is an in-depth conversation with a Black British author, delving into their backgrounds and inspirations, the art and craft of writing, and what it means to be a Black British writer and how it has impacted their writing, and more. 

Listeners are invited to join in the conversation. Listen to the trailer here.

Funded by the Arts Council England, this ground-breaking new podcast is dedicated to addressing the undervaluing of Black British writers by promoting and examining the Black British literary canon, exploring the history and ideas of some of Britain’s most influential and innovative writers. 

Each week Patricia and Pauline speak to a different guest, about their own unique experience of being an author, and deep dive into the topics that impacted their lives and their writing. 

Guests include Alex Wheatle MBE (author profiled in Steve McQueen’s award-winning BBC drama Small Axe), Colin Grant (author, independent historian & producer for BBC radio), Diana Evans FRSL (London based award-winning, bestselling author), Hafsa Zayyan (winner of Stormzy’s inaugural #Merky Books new writers’ prize), Juliet Gilkes Romero (award-winning writer for stage and screen,) Nick Makoha, (award-winning author) and Oladipo Agboluaje (winner of the 2009 Alfred Fagon Award). 

Pauline Walker, co-creator of the podcast said, “We started talking about this project in May 2020, wanting to find a way to profile the careers and work of Black British writers, something we felt was lacking. 

“When you read something like “Publishers claim that they would like to reach more diverse audiences but do not know how to, or are reluctant to expend resources on doing so” in a report [Re:Thinking ‘Diversity’ in Publishing] it’s quite disheartening because Black British writers and their work is no less valuable or vital than non-Black writers and we wanted to change that and I’m so thrilled that we’ve been able to bring the project to life with the support of Arts Council England. 

“One of my favourite things about the podcast is listening to our guests’ stories of how they found their way to writing and what it means to them to be a writer”. 

Patricia Cumper MBE, co-creator of the podcast, continued: “There is no one Black British identity. More than anything else, that is what I’ve learned from making these podcasts. 

“The range of life stories and the many routes that Black writers have found into making work and viable careers for themselves is astonishing. What comes through in all of the interviews is the power of storytelling: to entertain, to educate, to heal, to reveal hidden worlds and new stories, and the sheer bloody-mindedness and determination to speak out that it takes to be a successful storyteller whatever your genre.  And it was was fun: challenging, surprising, riveting but most of all fun.  I am deeply grateful to the writers for these conversations”. 

Season one of The Amplify Project will feature twelve episodes, with episodes 1-4 readily available on the Amplify Project website here. 

Episodes will be released fortnightly. 

*Episodes of the podcast are available to listen to here * 

Kathleen Jamie is new Makar

Poet and essayist Kathleen Jamie has been appointed as Scotland’s next Makar. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon formally welcomed her to the role at the Scottish Poetry Library in Edinburgh yesterday.

The role of Makar involves taking a leadership role in promoting poetry nationally, as well as producing work relating to significant national events.

Ms Jamie was appointed by the First Minister for a three-year term on the recommendation of an expert panel representing Scotland’s literary sector.

She is the fourth person to hold the role since it was established by the Scottish Parliament in 2004, following in the footsteps of Jackie Kay, Liz Lochhead, and Edwin Morgan.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am delighted to confirm Kathleen Jamie as our national poet.

“Poetry is integral to Scotland’s culture and history. The Makar has a central role in celebrating that legacy, and preserving its future by encouraging the next generation of young writers to leave their mark.

“Kathleen is a highly accomplished poet who is known for her works in English and Scots, and the meaningful connections her writing draws between our lives and the landscape around us. I have no doubt she will continue to build on the exceptional work of her predecessors to promote Scottish poetry both here and abroad.”

Kathleen Jamie said: “I am honoured and delighted to be appointed as Scotland’s new Makar. The post confirms a weel-kent truth: that poetry abides at the heart of Scottish culture, in all our languages, old and new. It’s mysterious, undefinable and bold. It runs deep and sparkles at once.

“Liz Lochhead, Jackie Kay and the late Edwin Morgan have held this post before me, a trio of major poets. If I can achieve half of their outreach, humour and wisdom, not to mention their wonderful verse, I’ll be doing well. I am grateful to the selection panel for such a vote of confidence in my work, and to the First Minister for her endorsement and support.

“My task as I see it is to meet folk, to support and encourage poetry, to laugh and lament and witness, and occasionally speak to our national life. I’m excited to begin.” 

Asif Khan, Director at Scottish Poetry Library said: “Kathleen Jamie is a generational talent – an exceptional Scottish writer of any era. Jamie’s poetry and prose sits with the best writing in English anywhere in the world.

“The poetry library looks forward to supporting the new Makar’s programme of engagement at a time when poetry is treasured as an art form that can heal and unite communities, as well as inspire our young people, including New Scots, to see the world differently and reflect on their role in it.”

Alan Bett, Head of Literature & Publishing at Creative Scotland said: “Kathleen Jamie is an excellent choice for The Makar, Scotland’s national poet. The quality of her work speaks for itself, and that work can and will speak to so many people across Scotland and beyond.

“The work can also speak to and challenge the current environmental context, with a strong focus on place and nature. I would like to offer my warm congratulations to Kathleen on this announcement and look forward to the creative projects that will connect her poetry with the nation.”

Onwards and Upwards: 2021 Book Festival Programme announced

After a universally challenging year, it’s onwards and upwards as EIBF launch 2021’s exciting programme of live, online Book Festival events.

A stellar line-up of over 300 writers, artists and thinkers from around the globe come together this August to share their ideas and stories for a changing world – and all online events are available to book from today.

During the Festival dates, 14-30 August, enjoy more than 250 events for adults, children and families online, all available to watch on a Pay What You Can basis. Online events offer the opportunity to chat with fellow book lovers and connect with authors by asking questions in our live Q&As.

You can also catch up on events at a time that suits, and there’s unlimited ticket availability for the online programme, so you needn’t worry about missing out. Visit our How To Book page for all the information you’ll need.

In this exciting new chapter for the Book Festival, a wide range of the live-streamed events will also have in-person audiences at our new Festival home, the University of Edinburgh’s Edinburgh College of Art.

Around half of our participants will appear in person in Edinburgh, while others join digitally from their homes around the world. Tickets for socially-distanced in-person events will go on sale from midday on 22 July.

The Book Festival Bookshop will open its doors again during this year’s Festival and you’ll find it located in the beautiful Old Fire Station building at our new site on Lauriston Place. Our online bookshop is open 24/7 and will feature titles from authors in the 2021 programme. Selected authors will be offering book signings online and in-person too.

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EIBF Director, Nick Barley, said: “We are incredibly excited to produce our first ‘hybrid’ festival with authors and audiences joining us both in person and online.  We welcome a mix of Scottish and international voices to discuss their ideas, hopes and dreams and we aim to explore together how to move ‘Onwards and Upwards’ from this devastating pandemic. 

“In our new home at Edinburgh College of Art we have created three broadcast studios, two of which can accommodate limited audiences. These new facilities enable us to offer author conversations to worldwide audiences and to those closer to home who are unable to join us in person, as well as welcoming a limited In-Real-Life audience.

“The Book Festival is at the forefront of the re-emergence of public events, and we have a duty of care to our authors, audiences and staff.  It is important that we help rebuild confidence and we have therefore chosen to retain 1 metre social distancing for audiences in the studios. This gives us a reduced capacity of 100 in the New York Times Sculpture Court and 60 in the Baillie Gifford West Court.

“Outside in the courtyard we are recreating the ‘village green’ element of the Book Festival that our audiences enjoy with a bookshop, café, family play area, seating spaces and a big screen upon which a number of the live events will be shown.

“The Book Festival has always aimed to be an oasis of calm and, as ever, this will be a space for audiences to chat, relax, read a book and while away the hours in the summer sunshine.”

Although we can’t promise sun, we will be bringing hundreds of the world’s best writers and thinkers to take part in live conversations this August, including events with Nobel Prize winners Amartya Sen and Kazuo Ishiguro, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Booker Prize winners Salman Rushdie, Bernardine Evaristo, Richard Flanagan and Scotland’s own Douglas Stuart (with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon) and many more. You can browse our entire programme now – we’re sure you’ll find plenty to enterain, challenge and inspire.

This year we’re exploring stories and ideas for a changing world, one dealing with the impact of Covid-19, climate change, poverty, inequality and the varied effects of technology, with authors, politicians, doctors and others discussing the overlapping crises we face – and how we can move forward.

Other key themes for 2021 include an interrogation of Britain’s history of colonialism, a celebration of LGBTQIA+ voices, a look at the importance of our bodies in shaping our sense of self, and more – visit our Themes page and explore the programme through the prism of some of this year’s most important and interesting topics.

Of course, the Baillie Gifford Children’s Programme is full of fun for all ages – with 60 events to take part in from home including readings, draw-alongs, and dancing.We’re also excited to launch a new series of pre-recorded, audio-only events, available from the very start of the Festival, and a range of walking tours and family trails around Edinburgh.

Over 60 of our online events offer BSL Interpretation or Live Captions courtesy of StageText – you can find a list of these events in our What’s On section. We’re pleased to once again offer an interactive event designed especially for those with learning disabilities focused on the wonderful new picture book You Can! by Alexandra Strick and illustrator Steve Antony, created with the support of our friends at PAMIS.

There’s plenty more to see and discover in our packed 2021 programme. The Book Festival is for everyone – whether you are in a position to pay for a ticket or not, whether you join us in person or from your sofa – so join the conversation this August as we all try to make sense of our changing world.