Off The Page – Stirling’s Book Festival

August 28th, 2013 by Frances_Sessford | Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Off The Page – Stirling’s Book Festival

Stirling’s own book festival, Off The Page, runs this year from 6–14 September. Now in its eighth year, Off The Page has consistently showcased the writing and creative talents of authors and poets from the Stirling area and beyond. The week-long festival is run in partnership with Creative Scotland, the country’s arts investment engine and provides an eclectic mix of speakers, readings and workshops for children and adults.

Highlights this year include Richard Holloway at The Tolbooth on Monday September 9, and Kaye Adams in conversation with Janice Galloway, also at The Tolbooth on Tuesday September 10. The festival always devotes a session to the subject of ‘how to get published’ and this year Stirling Centre for International Publishing and Communication hosts a debate in The Tolbooth Attic on Saturday September 7 which will explore the value of social media in helping authors raise their profiles and sell content. The panel consists of publisher Adrian Searle (Freight Books and Gutter magazine); agent Mark Stanton (Jenny Brown Associates); and author and newly appointed University of Stirling creative writing lecturer, Meaghan Delahunt. Apart from these events there are numerous smaller workshops and talks in local libraries and the Tolbooth Attic, including readings from local writers, Fiona Gibson and Jane Harris.

For full listings, see http://offthepage.stirling.gov.uk/about-us

 

Saltire Society Publisher of the Year

August 24th, 2013 by cs48@stir.ac.uk | Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Saltire Society Publisher of the Year
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Yesterday at the Publishing Scotland reception at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, the winner of the inaugural Saltire Society Publisher of the Year award was made to Saraband Books by Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs. Our Director, Professor Claire Squires, was one of the judges for the award.

The judges said Saraband, a small Glasgow-based publisher run by Sara Hunt, ‘is a company that has shown shrewd and strategic business thinking in a shifting context. They are collaborative, innovative and are distinguished by fresh thinking in their use of digital technology. Their move to new approaches still has the interest of authors at its heart.’

Floris Books of Edinburgh was also commended for its work in publishing children’s books. The full shortlist also included BackPage Press, Barrington Stoke, Edinburgh University Press, and Freight Books. The award is administered by the Saltire Society, with support from Creative Scotland and Publishing Scotland. Further details of the award were reported by The Bookseller.

Over the past year we have had students interning at both Saraband and Floris Books, as well as some of the other shortlisted publishers. We are also very pleased that Sara Hunt will be coming in to speak to our students in the forthcoming semester.

 

Saltire Society Publisher of the Year Award Shortlist

August 13th, 2013 by cs48@stir.ac.uk | Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Saltire Society Publisher of the Year Award Shortlist
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The Saltire Society Publisher of the Year Award has announced its inaugural shortlist, which features BackPage Press, Barrington Stoke, Edinburgh University Press, Floris Books, Freight Books, and Saraband Books.

The Saltire Society comments that the shortlist ‘exemplifies the dynamic and ground breaking work being done by Scottish publishers to engage new readers and take on new challenges, making sure Scottish publishing stand out both nationally and internationally. The mixture of SMEs and larger more established enterprises show how Scottish publishers are making bold and imaginative work in a changing world of publishing, irrespective of their size, age or the pressure to continue on with established working methods.’

Professor Claire Squires, Director of the Stirling Centre for International Publishing and Communication has been one of the judges for the inaugural award. The winner will be announced later this month at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

The full press release is available from the Saltire Society website.