Portobello Book Festival 2013 Programme
4th – 6th October 2013
All events are free, but ticketed
Tickets available in advance from Portobello Library
FRIDAY 4th OCTOBER
11.30am–12.30pm TOWERBANK PRIMARY SCHOOL
JANIS MACKAY
Janis MacKay is the prizewinning author of the novel
Magnus Fin and the Ocean Quest. She will talk about being a
writer and guide pupils in an imaginative writing workshop so
they can create their own stories.
Magnus Fin and the Ocean Quest. She will talk about being a
writer and guide pupils in an imaginative writing workshop so
they can create their own stories.
11.30am–12.30pm PORTOBELLO HIGH SCHOOL
TOTS AND TEENS
Portobello High School pupils visit St John’s Nursery to read
story books they have composed themselves.
story books they have composed themselves.
*** BOTH EVENTS FOR SCHOOL GROUPS ONLY ***
12.30-1.15pm LIBRARY UPSTAIRS
IT WAS 50 YEARS AGO TODAY!
Forty-five minutes of tales and reminiscence with storyteller
James Spence.
James Spence.
50+ Local transport provided: contact library
8.00-10.30pm LIBRARY
1963: THE START OF THE MODERN ERA
This opening event celebrates the 50th birthday of Portobello Library
in music, words, fashion and food.
Hosted by David Francis and featuring Ladies Guerilla String Quartet along with many familiar
faces.Special display and taste of 1963 by Henderson’s restaurant
in music, words, fashion and food.
Hosted by David Francis and featuring Ladies Guerilla String Quartet along with many familiar
faces.Special display and taste of 1963 by Henderson’s restaurant
Clothes by Molly Sugar
***BAR***
SATURDAY 5th OCTOBER
10.00am – 12.30pm LIBRARY UPSTAIRS
WRITERS’ WORKSHOP
This interactive writing workshop will explore how using your senses
can bring your writing to life. Bring a pen and paper and let your
ideas flow with a mix of practical exercises.
Led by local writers Marianne Paget and Mairi Wilson
can bring your writing to life. Bring a pen and paper and let your
ideas flow with a mix of practical exercises.
Led by local writers Marianne Paget and Mairi Wilson
10.30-11.30am OLD PARISH CHURCH
WHAT’S WRONG WITH SCOTTISH FOOTBALL?
Iain Hyslop, lifelong football fan and long-suffering supporter,
gives the views of the fan on the street in his latest volume Is The
Baw Burst? – his continuing journey to get to the root of the
problems that are damaging a national sport.
Chaired by Ted Brack
gives the views of the fan on the street in his latest volume Is The
Baw Burst? – his continuing journey to get to the root of the
problems that are damaging a national sport.
Chaired by Ted Brack
11.00am-12.30pm OLD PARISH CHURCH
BOOK LAUNCH
We are proud to host the launch of Portobello and The Great War, the
third book co-authored by local historians Archie Foley and
Margaret Munro. The book traces the impact of the First World
War on Portobello and its people.
Chaired by Ian S Wood
third book co-authored by local historians Archie Foley and
Margaret Munro. The book traces the impact of the First World
War on Portobello and its people.
Chaired by Ian S Wood
11.30am-12.30pm OLD PARISH CHURCH
CRIMINALISING FOOTBALL FANS IN AN AGE OF
INTOLERENCE
INTOLERENCE
In this session Stuart Waiton, author of Snob’s Law, examines
the way in which football fans are regulated and demonised.
Chaired by Graham Boyack
the way in which football fans are regulated and demonised.
Chaired by Graham Boyack
11.30am-12.30pm LIBRARY
STORYTELLING, FUN AND GAMES
Rory MacLeod has led the creative project to design and print
Bath Street Dash, the first in a series of community storybooks
published to raise funds for the Toddler Hut Rebuild Fund.
Bath Street Dash, the first in a series of community storybooks
published to raise funds for the Toddler Hut Rebuild Fund.
Portobello-based tattoo artist Paul Slifer has written A is for
Anchor, an illustrated children’s alphabet book inspired by traditional
tattoo designs. Together they will present a fun hour of storytelling,
games and colouring in.
Anchor, an illustrated children’s alphabet book inspired by traditional
tattoo designs. Together they will present a fun hour of storytelling,
games and colouring in.
12.45-1.45pm LIBRARY UPSTAIRS
WRITING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
In this session Karen Campbell, whose latest novel This Is
Where I Am was selected by the BBC for their Book at Bedtime in
April, and Janet Watson, whose debut memoir Nothing Ever
Happens in Wentbridge was published in 2012, discuss the merits
and challenges of writing from personal experience.
Chaired by Viv Cree
Where I Am was selected by the BBC for their Book at Bedtime in
April, and Janet Watson, whose debut memoir Nothing Ever
Happens in Wentbridge was published in 2012, discuss the merits
and challenges of writing from personal experience.
Chaired by Viv Cree
2.00-3.30pm LIBRARY UPSTAIRS
McSWISS
Featuring Ron Butlin, Edinburgh’s Makar (Poet Laureate), and his
Swiss-born wife, Regi Claire. Ron is a prize-winning novelist and
poet. His most recent poetry collection, The Magicians of Edinburgh,
celebrates the city. Regi has twice been shortlisted for a Saltire Book
of the Year Award and her most recent novel is The Waiting, set
mainly in Edinburgh.
Swiss-born wife, Regi Claire. Ron is a prize-winning novelist and
poet. His most recent poetry collection, The Magicians of Edinburgh,
celebrates the city. Regi has twice been shortlisted for a Saltire Book
of the Year Award and her most recent novel is The Waiting, set
mainly in Edinburgh.
2.00-3.00pm OLD PARISH CHURCH
FRAGMENTS OF LIFE IN THE PUNJAB
In this session Tessa Ransford, established poet, translator,
literary editor and founder of the Scottish Poetry Library, reads from
her new collection, don’t mention this to anyone.
Chaired by Jim Hurford
literary editor and founder of the Scottish Poetry Library, reads from
her new collection, don’t mention this to anyone.
Chaired by Jim Hurford
2.00-3.30pm OLD PARISH CHURCH
HISTORY ON OUR DOORSTEP
Professor Chris Smout, one of Scotland’s leading historians, will
be talking about his recent book The Firth of Forth: An Environmental
History (co-written with Mairi Stewart). This session will focus on
the rise and fall of gross pollution in the area around Portobello,
including the oyster beds that once stretched between Prestonpans
and Leith and the sea fisheries from Fisherrow and Newhaven.
Chaired by Jim Gilchrist
be talking about his recent book The Firth of Forth: An Environmental
History (co-written with Mairi Stewart). This session will focus on
the rise and fall of gross pollution in the area around Portobello,
including the oyster beds that once stretched between Prestonpans
and Leith and the sea fisheries from Fisherrow and Newhaven.
Chaired by Jim Gilchrist
3.00-4.30pm OLD PARISH CHURCH
WILDERNESS WALKING: WILDERNESS WRITING
Chris Townsend, passionate global hillwalker and author of 15
books, and Kellan MacInnes, author of recently-published
Caleb’s List which celebrates the mountains visible from Arthur’s
Seat, talk about the relationship between wilderness walking and
wilderness writing.
Chaired by Rona Gray
books, and Kellan MacInnes, author of recently-published
Caleb’s List which celebrates the mountains visible from Arthur’s
Seat, talk about the relationship between wilderness walking and
wilderness writing.
Chaired by Rona Gray
3.45-4.45pm LIBRARY UPSTAIRS
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: BREAD FOR LIFE
According to the BBC Food & Farming Awards, Andrew Whitley
has ‘changed the way we think about bread’. His book Bread Matters
is both a practical manual for home bakers and a manifesto for the
bread revolution that it has helped inspire. Following the book’s
publication (and receipt of the André Simon Prize), Andrew cofounded
the Real Bread Campaign which is bringing back good
bread.
Chaired by Marianne Paget
has ‘changed the way we think about bread’. His book Bread Matters
is both a practical manual for home bakers and a manifesto for the
bread revolution that it has helped inspire. Following the book’s
publication (and receipt of the André Simon Prize), Andrew cofounded
the Real Bread Campaign which is bringing back good
bread.
Chaired by Marianne Paget
4.00-5.00pm LIBRARY
FAMILY STORYTELLING CEILIDH
International storyteller Beth Cross will lead a relaxed sharing
circle of music, song and storytelling in the old ceilidh tradition.
circle of music, song and storytelling in the old ceilidh tradition.
3.30-5.30pm leaving from OLD PARISH CURCH
ARCHITECTURAL TRAIL OF PORTOBELLO
John Stewart (Director of Portobello Heritage Trust and Chair of
Portobello Amenity Society), will lead a walk round Portobello looking
at several of its most interesting buildings from an architectural and a
historical point of view and outlining the reasons why Portobello’s
built environment developed the way it did in the 19th Century.
Portobello Amenity Society), will lead a walk round Portobello looking
at several of its most interesting buildings from an architectural and a
historical point of view and outlining the reasons why Portobello’s
built environment developed the way it did in the 19th Century.
5.00-6.00pm LIBRARY UPSTAIRS
WRITING FOR CHILDREN
How do you write for children? What format should a picture book
take? How do you turn a great idea into a TV show? How do you write
for a children’s magazine? What about writing science theatre for
children?
take? How do you turn a great idea into a TV show? How do you write
for a children’s magazine? What about writing science theatre for
children?
Eleanor Collins, Senior Commissioning Editor at Floris Books,
will talk about what makes a good children’s novel, how to plan the
layout and story for a picture book, what appeals to younger readers
and what makes great young adult fiction. Emily Dodd, CBeebies
screenwriter and science communicator, will talk about developing
ideas and writing for children’s television and writing scripts for
science theatre, school workshops and oral stories.
will talk about what makes a good children’s novel, how to plan the
layout and story for a picture book, what appeals to younger readers
and what makes great young adult fiction. Emily Dodd, CBeebies
screenwriter and science communicator, will talk about developing
ideas and writing for children’s television and writing scripts for
science theatre, school workshops and oral stories.
8.00-10.00pm DALRIADA
BOOK QUIZ
£1 entry per person No ticket required
***BAR***
SUNDAY 6th OCTOBER
11.00am-12.30pm LIBRARY
IMAGINING SCOTLAND
Three distinctive imaginative projections of the kind of place
Scotland might be or become. Colin Kirkwood is an educator
and psychotherapist whose recent book The Persons in Relation
Perspective contains accounts of the work of several important 20th
century Scottish thinkers. Jo McFarlane is a poet and mental
health activist who has recently published 2 collections of poetry:
One Flew over the Kennedy Tower and Warning: May Contain
Politics. Gary West is an academic, traditional musician and
broadcaster whose book Voicing Scotland has won widespread
critical acclaim.
Chaired by Ian Martin
Scotland might be or become. Colin Kirkwood is an educator
and psychotherapist whose recent book The Persons in Relation
Perspective contains accounts of the work of several important 20th
century Scottish thinkers. Jo McFarlane is a poet and mental
health activist who has recently published 2 collections of poetry:
One Flew over the Kennedy Tower and Warning: May Contain
Politics. Gary West is an academic, traditional musician and
broadcaster whose book Voicing Scotland has won widespread
critical acclaim.
Chaired by Ian Martin
12.30-2.00pm LIBRARY UPSTAIRS
FIRST NOVELS OF THE 21ST CENTURY: HOW PRIZES
HELP
HELP
Lucy Ribchester and Lynsey May, two emerging writers and
winners of Scottish Book Trust’s New Writers Award, discuss the
road to publication and the impact of prizes.
Chaired by Mark Lambert
winners of Scottish Book Trust’s New Writers Award, discuss the
road to publication and the impact of prizes.
Chaired by Mark Lambert
2.15-3.15pm LIBRARY
UPSTAIRS
UPSTAIRS
LESLEY RIDDOCH: A LIFE IN BOOKS
In this session one of Scotland’s best-loved journalists and
commentators shares the books which have had a significant
influence throughout her life.
Chaired by Jane Meagher
commentators shares the books which have had a significant
influence throughout her life.
Chaired by Jane Meagher
3.30-5.00pm LIBRARY
UNSTATED: WRITERS ON SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE
This is the title of a unique collection of essays by 27 contemporary
Scottish writers, published by Word Power Books in 2012, about
the relationship between literature, national identity and the ‘politics
of voice’ in Scotland today. As the finale of the 2013 Portobello Book
Festival, here is an opportunity to hear from four of the contributors:
Alan Bissett (novelist, playwright and performer), Jo Clifford
(playwright and performer), Douglas Dunn (poet, writer and
academic) and Gerda Stevenson (actor, writer and director).
Chaired by the editor, Scott Hames (academic and co-editor of
the International Journal of Scottish Literature).Word Power bookstall
Scottish writers, published by Word Power Books in 2012, about
the relationship between literature, national identity and the ‘politics
of voice’ in Scotland today. As the finale of the 2013 Portobello Book
Festival, here is an opportunity to hear from four of the contributors:
Alan Bissett (novelist, playwright and performer), Jo Clifford
(playwright and performer), Douglas Dunn (poet, writer and
academic) and Gerda Stevenson (actor, writer and director).
Chaired by the editor, Scott Hames (academic and co-editor of
the International Journal of Scottish Literature).Word Power bookstall
VENUES:
PORTOBELLO LIBRARY
14 Rosefield Avenue EH15 1AU
PORTOBELLO OLD PARISH CHURCH HALL
Old Parish Church, Bellfield Street EH15 2BP
DALRIADA
77 Promenade, Portobello EH15 2EL
BLACKWELL’S BOOKSHOP
Books by participating authors will be available
at both venues
OLD PARISH CHURCH CAFE
Open on Saturday 4th from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
Come along and enjoy tea, coffee, snacks and home baking!
PORTOBELLO BOOK FESTIVAL
is organised by local enthusiasts and Portobello Library.
If you have ideas or would like to be involved please contact
Portobello Book Festival 