7 February 2013

Acclaimed author set to inspire students

Award-winning Scottish writer James Robertson will pass on the benefits of his experience to students from the University of Dundee next week.

Robertson won the Scottish Book of the Year award in 2010 for And the Land Lay Still while The Testament of Gideon Mack was long-listed for the 2006 Man Booker Prize. He will meet with Year 2 students from the University's English programme on Tuesday, 12th February before leading a masterclass with Creative Writing students focusing on writing historical novels and writing dialogue in fiction.

The early part of his visit will see Robertson will read from, talk about, and answer questions on his novel Joseph Knight, which won the Saltire Scottish Book of The Year and the Scottish Arts Council Book of the Year in 2003.

The book tells the story of a real 18th century Caribbean slave who brought a suit against his master. Having won the right to his freedom, he established the principle that slavery was not legally recognised in Scotland. The novel is part set in Fife and Dundee.

In addition to four novels, Robertson is the author of several collections of short stories and poems, runs an independent publishing company called Kettillonia, and is a founder and general editor of the Itchy Coo imprint, which produces books in Scots for children and young people.

He will meet with the Year 2 students in Dalhousie Building room 2G11 from 2-3pm on Tuesday, 12th February.

More information is available by contacting event organiser Dr Gail Low on g.low@dundee.ac.uk.

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