Top crime writers heading for Skye
Budding writers will have a chance to learn from award-winning Scottish authors at a workshop in Skye.
Michael J Malone, Caro Ramsay and Douglas Skelton, three of Scotland's top crime writers, will speak at Crime at the Clan at Armadale Castle on Sunday August 12.
They will lead workshops aimed at helping writers of all abilities improve their storytelling and publishing skills.
‘I have been through the edPortree iting process with publishers 10 times and each time I learn a little more about what the reader wants and how to sell my work,' explained Michael, whose Scottish crime novels have tackled subjects from murders to male spousal abuse.
‘It is a case of art versus commerce when publishing a book. My workshop will teach writers the who, what, when, why and how of the publishing business.
‘The workshop is suitable for writers of fiction and non-fiction, whether published, just starting out or in the middle of the process.'
A second workshop will feature Paisley-based Caro whose book, The Suffering of Strangers, has been long-listed for this year's McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year.
Joining them will be Douglas, whose work includes the award-winning Davie McCall crime thrillers, for a talk featuring all three authors, who will answer questions before signing books.
‘I have given talks and workshops around most of Scotland but have never been to Skye before,' said Michael. ‘We are all looking forward to our visit and hope to meet many of the island's readers and writers to share experiences.'
The event is part of the Skye Festival, Fèis an Eilein, organised by Skye Events for All.