NessBookFest pitches up with three-minute scheme to let authors give readings when it returns to Inverness in October
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A HIGHLAND book festival has announced a one-month opportunity for local writers, poets and playwrights to submit three-minute readings for consideration.
The selected authors will have the opportunity to read their work at NessBookFest events when it returns from Thursday, October 3 to Saturday, October 5.
“It’s a sort of warm up act for each event,” festival chairwoman Barbara Henderson explained. “These slots are unpaid, but give valuable experience and exposure to up and coming writers, many of whom may still be chasing their first publication contract.
“Like a competition win, this type of endorsement can boost a writer’s confidence no end, and it can be a fantastic stepping stone in their writing career. Two of last year’s three-minute performers were given a paid slot in the programme this year.
“All details are on the NessBookFest Facebook and Twitter pages.”
Festival committee members Emma Hamilton and Liza Mulholland will sift through all submissions and select suitable pieces for inclusion. Wherever possible, their content will be matched to an event with a similar theme or genre.
NessBookFest sees its role as championing local talent alongside the big names from around Scotland and beyond, some of which have just been announced.
This year’s NessBookFest will include appearances from some of the biggest names in the Scottish Literary scene this year, including current Book Bug Picture Book Prize winner Alan Windram who will visit a school and the children’s ward in Raigmore Hospital with his One Button Benny story, and Scottish Teenage Book Prize winner John Young.
The appearance with Young’s Young Adult novel Farewell Tour of a Terminal Optimist was announced this week to mark Children’s Hospice Week.
Other acts include nature and mental health writer Mike Cawthorne, Highland crime queen Margaret Kirk, award-winning dolphin photographer and author Charlie Phillips and independent author Lindsey Stirling whose fantasy maps are likely to charm teenagers and adults alike.
Also announced was author of children’s fiction and non-fiction Emily Dodd who will bring her picture books Can’t Dance Cameron and Crime Squirrel Investigators to Inverness.
The outdoors focus will be continued by storyteller and children’s entertainer Creeping Toad, aka Gordon MacLellan, who returns to NessBookFest by popular demand.
More acts are set to be announced throughout the summer months with the full programme launch planned for the end of August.
NessBookFest programme co-ordinator Pauline Mackay said: “The programme is so varied this year. We are excited to be using some new venues and to bring three utterly action-packed days to the Highland Capital.”
Go to www.nessbookfest.co.uk or the Facebook page for more information.
