Ross and Cromarty Readers’ Day
Five Highland authors will be guests of honour at a special Ross and Cromarty Readers’ Day to be held in Strathpeffer on Sunday 1 April as part of the 2007 Year of Highland Culture celebrations.
The programme for the day includes two author sessions with the five authors plus plenty of opportunities for people to chat to fellow readers and book enthusiasts.
Guest authors are Lin Anderson, Angus Peter Campbell, Emily Joy, Angus Dunn and Anne MacLeod.
Lin Anderson’s first novel Driftnet was an immediate bestseller and was Ottakar’s Scottish book of the month in August 2003. Her subsequent novels Torch and Deadly Code feature the heroine of Driftnet, forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod and are best sellers. Lin, who lives in Strathspey, also writes for screen and has had a play and some short stories published.
Angus Peter Campbell lives on Skye and writes in both English and Gaelic. He has published short novels for children in Gaelic, poetry in English and two novels for adults in Gaelic, published in 2003 and 2004. He was awarded the Bardic Crown at the 2001 Mod and The Highland Council’s Iain Crichton Writing Fellowship in 2003.
“Dr Em” - Emily Joy is better known to her Black Isle patients as GP Gail Haddock and has published two books – Green Oranges On Lion Mountain and An Accidental Optimist’s Guide To Life. Her experiences as a young volunteer doctor in war-torn Sierra Leone and back home as a busy GP and mum are recounted with her trademark vitality and down-to-earth humour.
Angus Dunn has written numerous works of poetry and short fiction and won the Neil Gunn competition in 2002. Angus lives on the Black Isle. His first novel Writing in the Sand, set in the fictional community of Cromness, attracted much praise when it was published recently.
Also from the Black Isle is author Anne Macleod who is well-known throughout Scotland. Anne has a long list of distinguished poetry collections and fiction. Her first novel, The Dark Ship, was published in 2002 and became a Scottish bestseller.
The event has been organised by The Highland Council’s library service in association with Ross and Cromarty reading groups. These library-based reading groups act as a forum to attract funding to promote and support the enjoyment of reading to all ages.
The Highland Council’s Reading Development Coordinator Cindie Reiter said: “Thanks to 2007 funding we are able to offer a wonderful line up of authors, all of whom are based in the Highlands. This will be a great day for anyone who loves books and reading so readers of all ages are very welcome to come along. As well as two sessions with the guest authors, there will be a chance to speak to them throughout the day and buy their books. We will also be holding a book swap so anyone can bring along a book that they have enjoyed reading and swap it for one to take home.”
Places on The Readers Day are limited so it is advisable to pre-book by telephoning Area Libraries Officer, Charlotte MacArthur on 01349 868460.