Val McDermid's Blog, page 5
November 22, 2017
Signed Harry Potter first edition to go up for auction as part of Book Week Scotland…
The online charity auction is part of Book Week Scotland, with proceeds going towards the Scottish Book Trust’s programmes.
Signed Harry Potter book (Book Week Scotland)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets has been signed by author JK Rowling and is sure to be a popular item among fans looking for a piece of Potter magic.
Also on offer is the chance to win a portrait from illustrator Chris Riddell, who was the 2015 – 2017 UK Children’s Laureate and also a political cartoonist for the Observer.
Chris will produce a portrait illustration of the winning bidder, or someone of their choosing, creating a unique keepsake or a wonderful gift.
Other items up for grabs include the opportunity for an unpublished writer to receive advice on getting published from leading literacy agency, Jenny Brown Associates.
November 21, 2017
‘It seems to be taboo to say some kids are just bad’: Crime writer Denise Mina on her story for new book Bloody Scotland…
ONE of Scotland’s leading crime writers, Denise Mina, is used to putting her fans through the wringer.
But it was her turn to feel the chill when she visited Edinburgh Castle to research a story.
She said: “My pal and I were given a behind-the-scenes tour to all the parts visitors don’t see, like John Maclean’s cell, wooden walkways above a sheer cliff and toilets that soldiers used which had an 80ft drop.
“It felt like a real honour and privilege that we got to see it.
“The guide also took us to David’s Tower, which is the oldest part of the castle.
“We went down this shoogly 50ft staircase. He told us it was safe but it was swinging.
“I’m not great with heights and I wanted to stop half way down and start crying. It was like gripping on to a cliff face.”
Denise, from Glasgow, was one of 12 Tartan Noir authors asked to write a story set in an iconic Scottish location for new book, Bloody Scotland.
November 16, 2017
Stratford-on-Avon MP to appear on BBC Question Time…
Stratford-on-Avon MP Nadhim Zahawi has been named on the panel for this week’s edition of BBC Question Time.
Mr Zahawi will appear alongside shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry, former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, crime writer Val McDermid and assistant editor of the Spectator and Sun newspaper columnist Rod Liddle.
The programme, which is presented by David Dimbleby, will be broadcast live from Newcastle at 10.45pm on Thursday, 16th November.
Mr Zahawi has appeared twice before on the program in March 2014 and October 2015.
November 14, 2017
Book Week Scotland announces online events…
BOOK WEEK SCOTLAND has announced its first-ever Virtual Week.
Taking place from 27 November to 3 December, the week will be packed with free, varied digital events.
The Virtual Festival will kick off with Crime Writers Play Cluedo on Monday 27 November.
Revellers can watch bestselling authors Val McDermid, Stuart MacBride and Doug Johnstone pit their knowledge of the criminal mind against each other.
The writers will also discuss their own plots and favourite ‘whodunits’.
Highlights of the programme also include a live Q&A with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon all about her love of reading, taking place on Tuesday 28th November.
Members of the public can submit their questions via Book Week Scotland’s (@BookWeekScot) Twitter. Follow the Q&A by searching for #FMBookChat.
Read the full article on The Sunday Post website…
November 13, 2017
Rebus author Ian Rankin fears global crises turn readers off nitty-gritty novels…
The author – whose 21 books have sold millions of copies worldwide – said bad news was killing them off.
The rise of Donald Trump, terrorist attacks and mass shootings have left people yearning for “kind and gentle” books, he claimed.
The writer is on a global tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his famous fictional detective John Rebus.
But he said the bleakness of events worldwide was changing readers’ habits.
The 57-year-old author said: “Right now, the world seems so crazy and irrational that many novelists have difficulty trying to shape it into a coherent narrative.
Read the full article on the Sunday Post website…
November 2, 2017
A Chance for the Words of Three Young Writers to Shine in the Sky…
By Irene Brown – Posted on 01 November 2017
This New Year’s Day marks the beginning of the Year of Young People 2018 and today, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay launches a new competition aimed at aspiring young writers aged 8 to 18, based in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk. Their remit is to create their own short story inspired by Edinburgh, the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature.
Three stories will be selected to appear alongside a new work by celebrated Scottish writer, Val McDermid in Message from the Skies that will be launched on New Year’s Day 2018 and run until Burns Night on 25 January.
Inspired by a line from Robert Burns’ poem Sketch New Year’s Day. To Mrs Dunlop (1790) , Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and the Edinburgh International Book Festival have commissioned McDermid to write a short story entitled New Year’s Resurrection, that will be told in a series of chapters through projections onto buildings and landmarks around Edinburgh.
Bringing the story to life will involve collaboration between McDermid, Philip Howard, director and dramaturg of emergent theatre company Pearlfisher; Edinburgh based architectural projection mapping specialists Double Take Projections and three of Scotland’s finest composers and sound designers, Michael John McCarthy, Pippa Murphy and RJ McConnell.
October 30, 2017
Top speakers at Tayside, Central and Fife shrieval conference…
October 30, 2017
Sheriffs from across Tayside, Central Scotland and Fife attended a shrieval conference held at Dundee University’s Department of Anatomy on Friday to hear top speakers.
In addition to dealing with sheriffdom business, the conference heard fascinating talks by Professor Sue Black on forensic anthropology and best-selling crime author Val McDermid who reflected on the ‘price’ that all involved in the justice system pay — from victims, accused, police officers, various experts and judges drawing on her novels and journalistic experience.
Professor Black also provided a tour of her world class forensic labs and Sheriff Alastair Brown addressed the issue of ‘First Diets – Are we meeting expectations?’
Conference organiser Sheriff James Williamson said: “We received very encouraging feedback on the conference. Speakers of a very high calibre delivered fascinating and informative insights. I would like to thank Professor Sue Black and Sheriff Lindsay Foulis for their assistance in organising the event and all of the speakers for their excellent contributions.”
October 27, 2017
Sex Column: Do I tell hubbie I fancy a woman?
For five years I’ve been married to a very lovely man but the truth is that I’m not in love with him and I wasn’t the day I walked down the aisle.
I’m attracted to women and I’ve known it all my life, even if I have tried to bury it. I had one fling at university with a female friend, which was confusing and passionate, and then quickly fell into a series of relationships with kind, interesting, safe men.
I’ve recently felt the energy starting to drain out of me. I’m always tired and so my husband suggested I joined a local interest group to get me out of the house. I’ve met a kindred spirit there and although we haven’t spoken in depth, we are getting closer. She says she is also in a marriage that is no longer fulfilling her needs and I feel her looking at me in a way other women don’t.
When I missed a recent club meeting she messaged me saying she missed me. I think about her all the time, which makes me feel incredibly disloyal to my husband. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
GUILT is a nasty emotion — so use it to power you into leaving.
‘Do it for your husband if necessary,’ says James McConnachie, ‘because keeping him in a marriage with someone who doesn’t really love him is not being very kind.’
Coming out happens in steps. By writing to us you have made the hardest one: you have come out to yourself and finally accepted that your inner world should match your outer one. There are many ways to align them, says Rupert Smith.
‘For some, like me, it can mean guzzling half a bottle of gin, then blurting it all out in a tear-soaked confession over Sunday dinner,’ he says. ‘For you, it means sitting down with your husband and facing some inconvenient truths and reaching some decisions.’
This conversation will mark the end of your marriage, says Dr Angharad Rudkin.
‘Sad though this will be,’ she says, ‘it does mean that neither of you will waste any more time being with someone who can’t give them what they need.’
Try to reach an amicable separation.
‘Only then should you consider expressing your feelings to your friend,’ Rudkin continues. ‘Even if she is not the one for you, she will have helped you to clarify your needs and for that she will always be important.’
Finally, if you need help building courage, McConnachie suggests you read a book about coming-out stories. Val McDermid and Evan Davis edited a collection about celebrities called It’s OK To Be Gay (Accent Press).
‘You are not alone in all of this,’ he says. ‘And neither you nor your husband should spend your lives alone either.’
October 25, 2017
Val steps down as a director at Raith Rovers FC.
Published October 25, 2017
In view of the recent changes to the board of directors, at Stark’s Park, Val has indicated that, owing to her increasing professional commitments, she will resign from the board.
Val said: “The new regime has the right to appoint its own board to carry forward its vision for the future of the club.
“Those of us who have struggled against the odds to keep the club afloat are perhaps not best suited to that role.
“I will always support Raith Rovers in any way I can but from the terraces, rather than the directors’ box.”
More on this story…Fife Today
October 13, 2017
Wisdom replaces Shelley on Theakston crime festival board…
Published October 12, 2017 by Benedicte Page
Hachette’s c.e.o. designate David Shelley is stepping down from the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival’s programming committee after seven years, due to work demands. His place will be filled by Julia Wisdom, publisher for HarperFiction’s crime and thriller list.
Wisdom will join authors Val McDermid, Steve Mosby and NJ Cooper and agent Jane Gregory on the committee, with this year’s “reader-in-residence” Mari Hannah. The programming chair rotates annually and in 2018 will be author Lee Child.
Shelley will retain a link with Harrogate International Festivals, by becoming a Future 50 vice president, working on the Future 50 fundraising scheme to secure its future.
Harrogate International Festivals c.e.o. Sharon Canavar said: “The reputation as the best crime writing festival in the world is a large part in thanks to our dedicated programming committee of industry experts.
David’s expertise, professionalism and commitment has been integral to our success and we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to David.” She added: “We are thrilled that Julia Wisdom will be joining the committee with her wealth of experience and passion for the genre.”
Shelley said: “I have had a fantastic seven years on the Harrogate committee and have been so thrilled to see the Festival go from strength to strength. It speaks volumes about Sharon Canavar and her exceptional team, the amazing programming chairs we have been so lucky to have, as well as the incredible vibrancy of crime and thriller writing. It is a genre really close to my heart and I feel that crime fiction is now starting to be treated with the respect by critics and prize committees that it deserves.”
He added: “I am so pleased that Julia is taking my place and can think of no one more experienced or dedicated to crime fiction. I am looking forward to attending many future Harrogate’s as a punter and seeing the Festival continue to flourish.’
Wisdom said: “I have been a huge fan of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival since it started 15 years ago. It’s always attracted a truly remarkable range of writers from around the world, as well as actors, journalists and industry specialists, amongst others, and has grown in international importance year on year. Of course, I am also a passionate reader of crime fiction and thrillers and am much looking forward to contributing to the programming discussions.”
The Theakston Old Peculier Festival was co-founded in 2003 by Val McDermid and literary agent Jane Gregory with the arts charity Harrogate International Festivals. 2018 will mark its 16th crime writing festival.
Arts body Harrogate International Festivals is aiming to raise £1m to safeguard its future.
From The Bookseller
Val McDermid's Blog
- Val McDermid's profile
- 5171 followers
