23 October 2012

Debut author to launch Literary Festival and take up reader’s residency

The 2012 Dundee Literary Festival will open tomorrow with the launch of the debut novel from Newport author Zoe Venditozzi, a graduate of the University of Dundee’s Creative Writing programme.

Zoe, who worked on her book, Anywhere’s Better Than Here, while completing her MLitt Writing Practice & Study degree, is set for a busy week as she is appointed "reader-in-residence" at Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa for the duration of the festival.

Guests at the hotel will be able to choose from six specially selected stories from writers who will be appearing at this year’s festival when they check in. They will also identify a time suitable for them and Zoe will call the guest to read them a bedtime story.

The festival and book launch take place at the University’s Dalhousie Building at 6pm on Wednesday, 24th October. The event will see Zoe read from her stunning novel, which charts a young woman’s developing self-awareness as she is forced to grow up and make her own way in the world. Admission is free, but ticketed.

Zoe says she is looking forward to her spell as reader-in-residence in what is one of the biggest weeks of her life.

"The idea came from New York, where some hotels have been offering this service for a while, but we’re pretty sure that this is the first time that it’s been done in this neck of the woods," she said.

"The guest can choose from the six stories when they check in, with special editions designed for the duration of the residency. I’m sure it’ll be lots of fun and it’ll be interesting to see which stories people choose.

"It’s a huge week for me, and I can’t wait for the launch of my book, something I’ve been working towards for years. Returning to study at Dundee on the Creative Writing programme helped me enormously and I really have to thank the staff there for all they taught me.

"I suppose seeing their graduates get published is the best recognition they can receive so I’m looking forward to seeing them at the launch."

The 2012 Dundee Literary Festival is the biggest to date, with a total of 42 events scheduled to take place from October 24th-28th. Leading figures from the world of fiction, poetry, journalism, comics and the publishing industry will take part in a series of workshops, talks, book signings, and readings.

For more information about all Literary Festival events, or to buy tickets, please visit www.literarydundee.co.uk Tickets are also available from Literary Dundee, 6th floor, Tower Building, University of Dundee, tel 01382 384413.

Zoe will be signing copies of Anywhere’s Better Than Here, published by Sandstone Press, at the festival launch. It will also be available from all good bookstores and online as a download.

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
MOBILE: 07854 953277