Budding writers can get advice from authors
Two of Scotland’s foremost authors will lead workshops for budding writers at Ayrshire Athletics Arena in Kilmarnock on Saturday, June 2.
The Write Day! will offer practical advice and insider tips on a wide range of subjects, helping you to improve your manuscripts and increase the chances of getting your work published.
In the morning, Doug Johnstone will lead a hands- on session entitled Wielding the Knife: How to Edit Your Own Writing into Shape.
This endlessly creative, bestselling Edinburghbased author is also a musician and journalist.
His eighth novel, Crash Land, was published by Faber & Faber in November 2016, with previous book The Jump shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Best Scottish Crime Novel.
He has also been selected as a prestigious Fiction Uncovered winner.
And in the afternoon, Sara Sheridan will present An Insider’s Guide: Narrative Drive and How it Will Get Your Book Published.
This session is aimed at those who are writing with a view to publication and will focus clearly on what editors are looking for, how to diagnose manuscript faults and give tips on the key issues to demystify the process of how the industry works - it also takes in some publicity advice.
It is very much focused on communicating your story to readers.
Sara Sheridan writes the popular Mirabelle Bevan Murder Mysteries, set in 1950s Brighton, as well as historical novels set in 1820- 1845.
Fascinated particularly by female history, she is a cultural commentator who appears regularly on television and radio.
In 2014 she was named one of the Saltire Society’s 365 Most Influential Scottish Women, past and present.
Doug Johnstone’s session will run from 10am to 12.30pm, with Sarah Sheridan appearing in the afternoon from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
Run by East Ayrshire Leisure Libraries, tickets cost £ 5 per session and are available from the Dick Institute on 01563 554300 or eastayrshireleisure.com. The events are for ages 16 and over.