Book Week Scotland 2024 Programme of Events

Programme of Events 

East Lothian Libraries are delighted to be hosting a variety of events to appeal to a range of age groups and that celebrate and embrace hope.

  • most events are free
  • booking is required - please read the event information below for booking information

Competitions

We want to hear your poems or stories of hope based on one of the following strands - "new dawns", "guiding lights", "hope for the world", "pockets of joy" or "the best is yet to come". There are 2 age categories - 7-11 and 12-15 with two £50 book vouchers up for grabs for Night Owl Books In East Linton! The closing date is Sat 23 November 2024 at 4pm. Let's get to it!

 

Monday 18 November

Author AJ Proudfoot stands with his arms folded in front of him. He is wearing a black jumper, the weather is grey and misty. Edinburgh is visible behind him through the mist in the distance.Author event: Rise of the First Wessex King with A J Proudfoot - 6:00pm, Musselburgh Library - FREE

AJ Proudfoot was born in Edinburgh and has lived a colourful life, from beginning his career as an accountant to a two-decade career at the University of Edinburgh. Now living in Musselburgh, he penned his first novel Rise of the First Wessex King after researching his family history. This novel tells a gripping tale of medieval Britain, complete with exile, battle and revenge. 

Copies of Rise of the First Wessex King will be for sale at this event.

To book your place, email musselburgh.library@eastlothian.gov.uk or call East Lothian Council on 01620 827827 and ask for Musselburgh Library.

 

Tuesday 19 November

Author Ann Burnett stands with her husband Bill, the subject of her novel. Both are smiling. The couple are in their seventies and are dressed smartly.

Book launch with Ann Burnett for her new book A Last Journey - 2.30pm - John Gray Centre, Haddington - FREE

Author Ann Burnett joins us to launch her new book A Last Journey, detailing the harrowing experience of losing a loved one to dementia. Over the course of a few years, Ann watched her husband Bill be ravaged by the disease. Now, Ann wants to share his story with others in the hope that they can find some solace in knowing they are not alone, and to raise awareness of what Alzheimer's does not only to the patient, but to their loved ones. 

Copies of A Last Journey will be for sale at this event.

Please contact the John Gray Centre by phoning 01620 827827 or emailing Haddington.library@eastlothian.gov.uk to book your space. 


Poet Iona Lee holds a microphone to her mouth during a performance. The photo is black and white.

Writer talk by Iona Lee - 2:00pm, North Berwick Library - FREE

Interdisciplinary poet, artist and performer Iona Lee will lead the group in visual, sound and concrete poetry writing exercises, encouraging writers to make no sense, nonsense and new sense of an area of poetic and artistic exploration

In Iona's own words: "I am a writer, artist, music-maker, storyteller and spoken-word performer from Edinburgh. I've been a prominent member of Scotland's live poetry scene for ten years, appearing on radio and television, and reading my work at venues and festivals all over the UK and Europe. My writing has also been published in newspapers, magazines and anthologies. My highly anticipated debut poetry collection, Anamnesis (Polygon, 2023), was shortlisted for the Edwin Morgan Poetry Award, and appeared on SNACK Magazine's list of the top ten books to be published in Scotland in 2023." 

For tickets to this event, please email northberwick.library@eastlothian.gov.uk or call East Lothian Council on 01620 827827 and ask for North Berwick Library.


Wednesday 20 November

An illustrated image of leaves poking out of a blue denim pocket with "pockets of joy" written on it

Pockets of Joy workshop by Marie Adams (BSc Hons Occ. Therapy, Dip CBT, Dip Counselling, MBABCP) - 2:30pm, Star Room, John Gray Centre, Haddington - £2.00 per ticket

Join us for a 90 minute workshop centering around finding joy in your life. From mental health and wellbeing to creating joy, this workshop will help you to develop new ways of thinking and help you to find the joy in the everyday. 

To book your space, contact the John Gray Centre by calling 01620 827827 or emailing Haddington.library@eastlothian.gov.uk. Tickets to this event cost £2.00.

 

Thursday 21 November

An image depicting lined paper with the words "creative writing" in the middle highlighted in yellow and pink, and adorned with pastel coloured stars around the words.

Creative writing workshop with Elspeth Wilson - 6:30pm, Dunbar Library - FREE

Join Elspeth Wilson as she hosts a creative writing workshop with the theme of friendship. From Elspeth:

"In this relaxed workshop, we will explore a series of writing exercises around friendships. Friendships are relationships that can define our lives, providing support, love and joy, but often they aren't celebrated in art or written about as much as romantic love. This workshop will provide a chance to think about what makes friendships tick, how they're made and how they survive and flourish longer term. There will be an option to write from your own experiences or using your own characters.  At the end of the workshop, you will have tried a series of exercises and hopefully have new writing and thoughts to continue with in your own time. The workshop will be informal and there will be a break in the middle. 

This workshop is suitable for anyone interested in writing creatively of any level of experience. It is mostly aimed at writing prose (fiction and non-fiction) but writers of poetry are welcome too!"

To book your place, please email dunbar.library@eastlothian.gov.uk or call East Lothian Council on 01620 827827 and ask for Dunbar Library.

 

Friday 22 November

Red graphic with the words "DIY Christmas" and the artistic silhouette of scissors at the top.

Jo MacNamara - Christmas Using Books workshop; Decorations and Recycling - 2:30pm - 4pm, Dunbar Library - FREE

Join Jo as she gives us a rundown on recycling our rubbish into Christmas decorations! With a focus on books, this workshop will be sure to leave you with loads of new ideas for having as eco-friendly a Christmas as possible. Please email dunbar.library@eastlothian.gov.uk or call East Lothian Council on 01620 827827 and ask for Dunbar Library to book your place.

 

 

Saturday 23 November

Professor Marjory Harper miles at the camera. She has short brown hair and is wearing a blue blouse. The weather is sunny and there is greenery in the background.

Author talk with Professor Marjory Harper on New Beginnings: Scottish Emigration in the 19th Century - 11am, Star Room, John Gray Centre, Haddington - £2.00 ticket cost

Professor Marjory Harper, Chair of History at the School of Divinity, History and Philosophy, University of Aberdeen will give of a talk and pictorial presentation on some elements of Scottish emigration, particularly in the 19th century and infused with elements of the theme of hope to the audience.

To book your space, contact the John Gray Centre by phoning 01620 827827 or emailing Haddington.library@eastlothian.gov.uk. Tickets to this event cost £2.00.

 

Image depicts the cover of the book "Crickets in my Lunchbox?" The cover is yellow, with green cartoon writing denoting the title. There is a cartoon of a confused boy looking at his lunch tray which contains orange juice, an apple and loads of crickets.

Children's book reading talk with Valerie Duncan, Crickets in My Lunchbox? North Berwick Library at 11am and Haddington Library at 2:30pm - FREE

Would you put crickets in your child's lunchbox? Come along with your children to find out why you should!

"Crickets in My Lunchbox?" is written and illustrated by Valerie Duncan. Valerie has lived in the beautiful rural and coastal area of East Lothian most of her life. She enjoys drawing and painting animals and nature. The view from her studio window looks across the fields towards North Berwick Law and provides plenty of inspiration. Valerie is an experienced Primary School teacher, who is aware of the importance of the impact of climate change on the future of the children she teaches. Crickets in My Lunchbox? is Valerie's first children's non-fiction. Her book explores edible bugs and how changing the way we look at things can positively impact on the environment and our health. Valerie is also bringing along cookies made with cricket flour for you to sample!

Copies of "Crickets in my lunchbox?" will be available for sale at the events.

For tickets to these events, please email northberwick.library@eastlothian.gov.uk or haddington.library@eastlothian.gov.uk or call East Lothian Council on 01620 827827 and ask for North Berwick or Haddington Libraries.

 

Cover of Debbie Zawibski's book Stories in Stitches. Depicts an older woman sitting in a doorway holding an ornament. There is a historic and ornate building in the background.

Author event with Debbie Zawinski on Stories in Stitches; A Memoir in Knitting - 11am, Dunbar Library - FREE

Come along for a Knit & Natter session with Debbie Zawinski, author of Stories in Stitches; A Memoir in Knitting. A captivating tale of Debbie's life through the lens of her favourite hobby, this event is a must for knitting lovers in the area. Bring your latest project, have a cuppa and chat with the author herself while you work away!

From the book: I have always had the feeling that we are surrounded by stories. Every item in our homes has a story to tell with attendant memories - every living thing has its own fascinating autobiography. I believe that the things we make have some of the most interesting stories to tell of all: the source of the materials; the inspiration and purpose of the item created; the journey of the maker in its creation. Knitting is empowering. It's importance is unrelated to the skill of the knitter or the complexity of the pattern attempted. The finished article will inevitably embody something quintessentially unique to the individual maker.

Copies of Stories in Stitches will be available to buy at this event.

Please email dunbar.library@eastlothian.gov.uk or call East Lothian Council on 01620 827827 and ask for Dunbar Library to book your place.