New book highlights writing talent

New and aspiring local writers will be joining forces with established authors from around the world in the latest edition of New Writing Dundee.

The annual publication has attracted a range and quality of submissions that has delighted editor Rachel Marsh.

"There's been a great breadth of work coming in and it's been coming from all over the community," she revealed. "It has been more widespread than I expected which is really exciting.

"We have some submissions from University staff and Kirsty Gunn has given me a batch from her creative writing students but we have also had pieces from people with no connection to the University. And we have work from already published authors from the USA, New Zealand, India and London."

The annual publication is in book format for the first time this year, a fact which Rachel is sure has encouraged people to send in their work.

"I think it is an incentive to know that what you have written will be in a book. It makes a difference knowing you might be published alongside already established authors in an anthology."

Rachel, who is studying for a PhD in Scottish Literature, is hoping the book will encourage other writers to submit their work for future editions.

"We're always looking for submissions," she said. "And we accept them throughout the year."

The book, which is supported by the Department of English, the Creative Writing Programme and the Enterprise Gym , will be on sale in Waterstones and DCA priced at £3.

"There will also be copies at the Literary Salons at DCA and we're hoping to have an event at the Literary Festival in June where authors will give short readings," added Rachel.

Anyone interested in submitting a piece of writing or finding out more about the book can do so by emailing Rachel at newwritingdundee@dundee.ac.uk.