Ebooks

It's a brave new world for Birlinn books as we plan ahead for our exciting new Ebooks programme. Last week, I was in London attending an Ebook strategy course, and I'm thrilled to say that the work we've done so far (Rights! Conversion! Distribution! Retail Partners!) has us on track to get our Ebooks out in the very near future. I must admit, a lot of the technical information had me scratching my head (a lot of acronyms!), but luckily we will have great conversion partners on board to see us through. Everyone there was excited about the possibilities the digital world presents to publishers, it was hard not to get carried away with imagining where all this will take us! We'll keep you posted as we get nearer to the launch date.

VIKKI

Up River Limited Edition

Darren Woodhead popped in today to discuss his new limited edition of Up River.

We are producing 50 bespoke, boxed editions with individual endpapers. Each book has an original painting by Darren on the Watercolour Endpapers - a nerve-wracking experience for the artist!

Ready, Set, Action! Filming Allan Burnett at Stirling Castle

I had the pleasure of taking a day out of the office on Friday to film Allan Burnett, author of the 'And All That' books, performing at Stirling Castle. A new venture for Birlinn, we hired some very fancy camera equipment and, along with film students Michael Kidd and Ross Hill, we headed to Stirling to catch Alan in action.

Appearing in purple tights and a doublet Alan certainly looked the part as he regaled crowds with his stories of James VI and the worst teacher in history, George Buchanan. His descriptions of Buchanan's giant skull and drew many laughs from the admiring visitors, and some of the kids were scandalised that the king drank ale as a child (little did they know the consequences of drinking water in the 16th century!).

Over the course of the day we gathered lots of footage of Allan in his element. It was fascinating watching the cameramen at work as they ensured that we had a range of angles, lighting, audio and establishing shots. As I write the footage is being edited into a short clip to promote Allan's great 'And All That' history books. So watch this space!

ANNA

Borders Book Festival

Sunday morning was spent back at the Borders Book Festival. Glorious sunshine and very good ice-cream. Alistair Moffat was talking with co-author Dr Jim Wilson about their work in progress, a book to be published by us here at Birlinn on Census day 2011 (1 April). The subject is the DNA history of Scotland and Alistair and Jim kept the audience (another packed tent-theatre) absolutely gripped as they talked about the Viking ancestry of the Orkney and Shetland Islands, the similarities between the DNA of the Scots and the English – and the differences, the journey of the first Africans who left that continent and populated the world. And all uncovered from generous members of the population offering their spit into tiny pots for the purposes of research.
JAN

Planning ahead for the summer?

. . . Or looking for somewhere to enjoy words and sunshine this weekend? Read on . . .

Edinburgh’s Signet Library was the venue for yesterday’s launch of the programme for the 2010 Edinburgh International Book Festival. A ten o’clock start saw very welcome bacon rolls served to members of the media, publishers, writers, agents and booksellers as they gathered to hear news of writers visiting the festival this year. Among the Birlinn writers appearing at the tented festival this August are Shirley McKay talking about her latest historical crime novel set in St Andrews, Fate & Fortune; Alexander McCall Smith talking about The Dog Who Came in From the Cold  - with well-known and well-loved actor Andrew Sachs as a guest on stage (Alexander is doing a further three adult events at the festival); Stuart Brown exploring the world of food that surrounds Alexander’s leading lady in The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agencywith  Mma Ramotswe’s Cookbook; Andrew Orr and Angus Whitson discussing the success of their bestselling book on Bamse; Mairi Hedderwick giving a masterclass on the art of illustrating; Allan Brown on stage with two of the actors who appeared in the cult film The Wicker Man discussing his book, Inside the Wicker Man; another very great actor, David Rintoul on stage reading from Dr Finlay’s Casebook; Gillian Galbraith taking to the festival platform with Tony Black, two fine crime writers with new books set in Edinburgh; Kevin Macneil, appearing just a month before the publication of his new novel A Method Actor’s Guide to Jeckyll and Hyde (already hailed by Scotland on Sunday’s Stuart Kelly as ‘the last, and funniest, word on Scotland's national schizophrenia’); Alistair Moffat introducing his latest book, The Faded Map; Robert Crawford giving the Saltire Society lecture;  and Stuart Kelly appearing on Walter Scott’s birthday to talk about his new book Scott-land. Tickets on sale from 26 June – www.edbookfest.co.uk

The second appointment of the day involved a drive down the A68 to Melrose and Abbotsford, the home of Walter Scott. Joined by Serena Fields from BBC Radio Scotland and author Stuart Kelly, we were visiting Abbotsford to allow Serena to interview Stuart about his new book Scott-land, in the wonderful setting that was his family home.  The interview will be broadcast on 12 July, just a few days after publication, on BBC Radio Scotland’s Book Café. Wandering around Abbotsford, you can see Walter Scott’s study where he wrote many of his books. His desk and chair are still in position, just as if the great man had left the room a few moments before. On such a summery day, the views out over the gardens to the Tweed from the library are exceptional.

Then a flying visit to Mainstreet Trading in the beautiful Borders village of  St Boswells – a destination bookshop that not only sells the finest books in the area but certainly serves the best coffee and hosts great literary events in a converted barn just a few steps away through the carpark. Michael Morpurgo is appearing there today. This stunning shop recently won the Children’s Independent Bookseller of the Year award (but they do sell books for adults as well as children).

And then to Harmony House in Melrose for the opening of the Borders Book Festival, a festival created by Birlinn author Alistair Moffat which attracts leading writers, politicians and broadcasters to participate -  and capacity audiences hungry to hear them speak and read. Highlights of this year’s festival which lasts over this weekend include... James Naughtie talking about the new Political Landscape; Kate Adie; William Fiennes, that remarkable children’s author Michael Morpurgo; our own John Aberdein;  Anne Lorne Gillies and many more. Two of the biggest annual literary awards are presented at the festival this weekend, The Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust Book Awards and in its inaugural year,  The Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction. www.bordersbookfestival.org
JAN

At the end of last month, I found myself in the glorious setting of the University of St Andrews, overlooking the ruins of a castle and beyond that the sea. The sky was black and lightening lit up the scene as we launched Shirley Mckay’s latest book – Fate and Fortune, the second Hue Cullan mystery, set in St Andrews in the year 1581. Shirley was on fine form as she read from the book and the packed hall was absolutely still. As reading turned to party, family and friends were treated to a delicious feast of canapes, kindly prepared by the wife of Shirley’s agent, John Beaton.
The novel itself takes the young lawyer from the streets of St Andrew to the bustle of Edinburgh but returns him firmly to the Fife town, the setting for subsequent books featuring Hue Cullan, the next of which will be published in 2011. Those familiar with the town will recognise the locations – the castle, the cathedral, St Leonard’s College and many more. Those new to St Andrews will find a fine historical novel, set in a very real environment. In Shirley, Polygon have been fortunate enough to discover a writer of enormous talent. Waterstone’s and our key independent booksellers are all firmly behind her.
The drive home from the launch was one accompanied by rain, very large hailstones, thunder and several expensive looking warning lights lighting up the dashboard. Only one stop, at what has to be the finest fish and chip shop in that corner of the world... Dali’s Traditional Fish & Chips at Guardbridge.
JAN

FRI 4th JUNE, GARDENING SCOTLAND

Friday emerged as a bright and sunny day, perfect weather for the crowds of keen gardeners who flocked to Gardening Scotland at Ingliston. Birlinn were delighted to be involved in this fabulous event for the second year running. Last year we launched Ken Cox’s fascinating guide to Scottish gardens, ‘Gardening Scotland’. This year, as we had been invited to participate by the Italian Chamber of Commerce, we decided to continue the Italian theme by promoting Alistair Moffat’s ‘Tuscany: A History’. This is the only complete history of the region available in English; more of a story of the area than a guidebook. Alistair is a total Tuscan fanatic, and you cannot help but be infected by his enthusiasm as you read this beautiful and entertaining book.

It was fantastic fun to meet readers face-to-face, and numerous people took the time to let us know how much they like our books. One of the best comments of the day was “It’s nice to see a Scottish publisher being so active”. Although book sales weren’t quite as high as we were expecting, there was a lot of interest in ‘Tuscany’ and lots of people wanting to pass on good wishes to Alistair. So, all in all, a fun-filled sunny day with lots of lovely positive comments. Thank you to everyone who popped past the stall.

ANNA RENZ

Two early starts in a row and the long journey from Edinburgh to Hay Festival to promote The Dog Who Came in From the Cold (Alexander McCall Smith’s latest novel) proved well worth while this weekend. A 4.30am start on Friday to pick up Alexander and head to the airport, a hugely long security line but an event-free Easy-Jet flight down to Bristol. And then a delightful drive over to Hay, arriving in the picturesque village which straddles the English/Welsh border at 9.30am. Book-tourists, authors, the famous and the infamous were in town, enjoying the early summer sunshine and relaxed atmosphere that accompanies this festival. Alexander’s events both went well. The first was a recording of the Sky Arts Book Show presented by Mariella Frostrup. Alexander’s fellow guests on the sofa were the actress Virginia McKenna (remember Born Free?) and rock legend, Queen guitarist Brian May. You can only imagine the thrill for a mere publicist to find herself in the greenroom sitting with these three greats. Thank you to Brian for patiently listening to me witter on about We Will Rock You and the delightful experience I had in Edinburgh last year as a mother taking her fourteen year old son to this show and getting the opportunity to introduce him to the music of one of the world’s greatest bands. (And then having to fork out for another ticket the following night because he’d loved it so much!)

The second event of the day was Alexander McCall Smith in conversation with his dear friend, Paul Blezard. Both were in fine form and entertained the capacity crowd for just over an hour in the biggest Hay tented theatre. I’m not sure of the exact capacity but it is certainly over 1000. Those walking by outside must have wondered what on earth was going on as the audience was reduced to tears of laughter as Alexander read to the audience about Oedipus Snark, the only nasty LibDem MP and the exploits of Freddie de la Hay, a Pimlico terrier, enlisted by MI6 to spy upon suspect Russian businessmen. A signing queue that lasted over and hour followed before we retired to the main green room for a well-earned glass of chilled white wine.
4.15 on Saturday morning for the return journey home but the driver was very late and we made it to Bristol airport at 6.30am for a 7.10 flight. But the queue for security! Snaking right around the airport. We ran for fast-track, paid £10 for the privilege of getting to a shorter queue and made it to the flight.
Remember – add more time to the schedule for security queues at British airports this summer!
And don’t miss Alexander talking about The Dog Who Came in From the Cold on BBC Radio 5 today. Find it on iplayer.
JAN RUTHERFORD (Publicity and Marketing Director)

Last Wednesday, Daunts Book shop in Marylebone saw the launch of Michael Holman’s new novel, Dizzy Worms, the third title in the Last Orders at Harrods trilogy set in Africa. Michael’s unique knowledge of the continent stems from his many years as Africa editor for the Financial Times and many travels throughout Africa. We were treated to readings of the novel, which sounded as good read out loud as it does on the page. Daunts Marylebone, a travel book, is very atmospheric and was the perfect setting for Holman’s exotic Dizzy Worms. Some people had come from as far as Berlin, as well as Birlinn. The turn out was excellent and the cliental reflected Michael’s fine literary reputation among the great and the good. In fact, among those reading were Sir Edward Clay (British High Commissioner to Kenya) and his wife Ann. I am pleased to report that 64 copies of Dizzy Worms were bought, and then signed by Michael, who was delighted with the evening, as was the highly appreciative audience. We also learned that the title of the book comes from the African joke, “What do you call worms that have been put into a tin can that is then shaken around. Answer - Dizzy Worms.” The title is suggestive of Holman’s observations of a continent he knows and understands as only someone who knows Africa as well as he does could.
BOB SMITH (Sales Manager)