Previous Festivals
2008 2007 2006

Adult's Programme 2008

	Iain Banks - Where do you get your ideas from? Acclaimed by The Times as the most imaginative British novelist of his generation, Iain will answer this question in his first session. In his second session he will introduce Matter, the latest of his many science fiction books. www.iain-banks.net
	Janet Paisley - Ye Cannae Win Janet is an award winning poet, author, and playwright. Her work has been published, performed, broadcast and taught from primary schools to universities at home and abroad. She will provide a mix of humorous and dramatic readings with an emphasis on her latest book White Rose Rebel. www.janetpaisley.com
	The Mulgray Twins - How Do They Do It? A world first! Helen and Morna Mulgray are the only twins to write novels together. They will reveal how they write and how their two novels No Suspicious Circumstances and Under Suspicion came to be published. the-mulgray-twinsonline.co.uk
	Kenneth Steven - Second Nature Through a combination of anecdotes, poems and extracts from his works of fiction, Kenneth will tell how he began to write and how his journey evolved into the creation of poetry, novels, short fiction and pieces for Radio 4. Winner of several bursaries and awards, much of Kenneth's work is drawn from his love of Scotland and his knowledge of Hebridean islands. www.kennethsteven.co.uk
	Mairi Hedderwick - Tales from the Hebrides For over 40 years Mairi has been travelling through the Hebrides with a sketchbook. Her books are full of images and anecdotes of places and people. She has now decided to stay put on Coll but looks forward to recounting her adventures on this visit to Islay. www.scottishbooktrust.com/contacts/mairi-hedderwick
	Alanna Knight - Burke and Hare Popular crime novelist Alanna Knight left behind her fictional characters to discover the truth about Burke and Hare. Contrary to popular belief they never were grave robbers. Alanna will reveal the truth about their ghastly trade and tell how she carried out the research for her book, Close and Deadly. www.alannaknight.com

Children's Programme 2008

	Linda Strachan - What colour is love? A full supporting cast of cuddly toy characters will bring this story to life. The children will then help Linda to re-tell the story. The session will end with an introduction to her popular HAMISH MCHAGGIS series. www.lindastrachan.com
	Mairi Hedderwick - Katie Morag's Teddy Visits Islay. www.scottishbooktrust.com/contacts/mairi-hedderwick
	Cathy Cassidy - Follow Your Dreams Find out how bestselling kids/teen writer Cathy Cassidy (author of Dizzy, Indigo Blue, Driftwood, Scarlett, Sundae Girl & Lucky Star) got started in writing - and listen to an extract from her new book, Ginger Snaps. Cathy will explain how she works, answer questions ... and encourage you to follow your own dreams! www.cathycassidy.com
	Keith A Charters - Laugh Your Heads Off Keith is the author of the hilarious Lee novels for younger teenagers and ages 8+. Attending one of his sessions is like visiting a comedy club, which perhaps explains why over 400 schools and festivals (including this one!) have invited him to present in the last 2 years. So what can you expect? An energetic performance, loads of laughs and an insight into how writers dream up their stories. Oh, and some mutants. www.keithacharters.co.uk
	Kenneth Steven - Imagining Things Poetry Workshop. Where do poems come from? What do poems look like? How do we find and shape them? This workshop will help you find the inspiration to compose your own poem. www.kennethsteven.co.uk