19 August 2013

Dundee writers pay tribute to Gavin Wallace

The life and influence of the late Gavin Wallace, Literature Director of Creative Scotland and the power and engine of so much of Scotland's literary and cultural life, is being celebrated today at the Edinburgh Book Fringe by students and staff from the University of Dundee.

Students and staff from the University's Master of Literature (MLitt) programme were asked to contribute to the Gavin Wallace Memorial Reading.

Gavin Wallace died earlier this year. As well as his work with Creative Scotland he was a great supporter of the MLitt programme at Dundee.

"Gavin's influence on literature in Scotland was immense, and his support for what has been established in Dundee was tremendous," said Edward Small, from the MLitt programme, who is chairing the Edinburgh event. "That Dundee has been asked to fill this role is a tribute to the University's status in the literary scene in Scotland."

MLitt students Lindsay MacGregor, Alison Grant, Fiona Cartmell, Alison Bell, Jade Skinner, Amy Cloonan, Neil Cairns and Mary Ward Sell are all reading at the event. Creative Writing lecturer Jim Stewart, who received a Poetry Grant during Gavin's time at Creative Scotland, is also performing one of his pieces.

The Gavin Wallace Memorial Reading takes place today (19th August) at Word Power Books in West Nicolson Street, Edinburgh. Admission is free.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902