Black Isle Words 2008

Northern Links, Mythical Links

Black Isle Words boasted a talented and eclectic bunch of visiting writers at the2008 festival. Among them were: international travellers, award winning authors, translators of Norwegian and Anglo-Saxon and Scottish poets.

There were also sessions from one of Scotland's foremost literary agents, and two successful northern publishers who gave practical advice on getting into print.

Click on a picture or browse the words to find out more about them...

Margaret Elphinstone

"Like the surveyor, Elphinstone loves detail and accuracy. She builds her story of Ellan Bride and its tiny population from the rock upwards. The island is meticulously imagined, every place named and known, as if Elphinstone has climbed those cliffs herself, thrust her leather-clad hand into a puffin hole to catch her dinner, brought a yawl into the landing stonne, planted apple trees against a southern wall, shielded young vegetables from the sea wind and polished the lighthouse mirrors until they reflect eight miles out to sea..........Elphinstone's research is so beautifully absorbed that the island just lives."
Helen Dunmore (The Times)

Kevin Crossley- Holland

...as bright and as vivid as the pictures in a Book of Hours. Deep scholarship, high imagination, and great gifts of storytelling have gone into this: I was spellbound.'

Philip Pullman, The Guardian Children's Book Supplement

Kenneth Steven

'This poetry book for children of upper primary age is full of stimulus to the imagination, not just in daydreaming but also in taking a fresh look at everyday life... Kenneth Steven is a poet who observes closely, so his eyes open ours to what we've missed.'

The Shetland Times

Margot Henderson

Poet, Art Therapist and great at working with groups of people!

Margot had a residency with the Cromarty Arts Trust and impressed everyone with her poetic and people skills.

Jen Hadfield

'A zestful poet of the road, a beat poet of the upper latitudes, Jen Hadfield conjures poems and prose-poems of great spirit and imaginative daring from the northern landscapes. Lively, youthful and full of the joy of language, Almanacs is the most refreshing debut for ages.'

Kathleen Jamie

Ian Macbeth

Ian is famous in this part of the world for his evocative storytelling, which draws you in to the full drama and emotion of the unfolding tale.

He's also well known for the tireless commitment and energy that he puts in to the monthy Munlochy storytellers evening - occasions enjoyed by all those who take part. Find out more about Ian's tales on the Scottish Storytellers Centre website

Jim Hunter

To find out more about about Jim take a look at his website

Sandstone Press

To view the publications from Sandstone take a look at their website

Jenny Brown Associates

To find out more about this Literary Agents work take a look at her website