21 April 2009

Author of the moment to appear at Dundee Literary Festival

David Peace, one of the UK’s hottest contemporary authors, will provide an exclusive insight into his new work when he appears at this year’s Dundee Literary Festival, hosted by the University of Dundee.

Considered by many to be the most talented writer to have emerged from the UK in recent years, Peace is just one of the star names from the world of literature who will appear at the Festival. He will visit the city to discuss his books and will read extracts from Occupied City, his as-of-yet unpublished new novel.

With two of his works - the Red-Riding Quartet and The Damned United - recently being the subject of major television and cinema adaptations, Peace’s popularity has surged over the past year.

He will also answer questions from the audience on the opening day of the University-organised celebration of literature. Now in its third year, the Dundee Literary Festival takes place between Thursday 25th and Sunday 28th June.

This year’s Festival is bigger than ever, and sees some of the most talked about names from the world of literature, journalism, philosophy and politics take part in a series of workshops, talks, book signings, and readings. Events will take place at the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, Dundee.

John Gray, the UK’s foremost political philosopher and the influential author of a number of books including Black Mass and Straw Dogs, will also be appearing at the Festival.

Dundee Literary Festival director Anna Day said she was delighted to be able to bring star names such as David Peace and John Gray to Dundee, and that sold-out signs would shortly be going up for several of this year’s events.

'The festival is going from strength to strength,' she said. 'Last year saw us successfully expand from a two-day event to four, and we are confident that thousands of book lovers will once again descend upon the city for the Festival.'

'There is an exciting programme in place that covers everything from comics to crime, poetry to political philosophy. The event engages with people of all ages and backgrounds, and allows them to hear from internationally renowned authors while also participating in workshops designed to help them improve their own writing.'

'With the success of the film versions of Red-Riding and The Damned United, David Peace is obviously the man of the moment, and he is just one of the fantastic line-up of authors taking part. Anyone considering coming to any of our events, should make sure they get their tickets quick to avoid disappointment.'

Other authors set to appear include Adam Mars-Jones, Sheila Stewart and Robert Ryan, whose most recent book is inspired by Scott’s journey on the RRS Discovery. A series of workshops for budding writers will also be held, and guests will be entertained by a music from the Fest n’ Furious event.

Attendees will also be able to hear extracts from New Writing Dundee, the highly successful anthology produced by the University, and the winner of the 2009 Dundee International Book Prize will be announced on Saturday, June 27th.

A series of events focussing on children’s books will also be held and Timeframes, the third annual Dundee Comics Conference, takes place on the Sunday and will explore how the medium bends, distorts and manipulates time.

The full programme can be viewed at www.literarydundee.co.uk, and tickets are available from Literary Dundee, 5th floor, Tower Building, Perth Road (tel: 01382 384413) or at Borders, Gallagher Retail Park.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk