Look out book festivals, there’s a new kid in town! Scotland’s newest literary event, Conversations on the Coast, may be running for the first time this year, but the small festival has succeeded in attracting some big names.
The perfect excuse to head to beautiful Earlsferry in Fife on an autumn evening, the East Neuk Literary Festival is the brainchild of a committee of local book fans.
According to committee member Denise Burgin: “We’re a small group of people who have all moved to the East Neuk over the past five to 10 years.
“We are all retired and share a common interest in books, as well as a commitment to supporting the community we live in.”
Town hall hub
The focal point for the festival will be Earlsferry Town Hall, a building that was recently saved by a community buyout.
“The idea for a literary festival came from Patricia Ritchie, a member of the committee trying to save Earlsferry Town Hall, and the community council,” Denise says.
“We wanted to be involved as we shared her vision of hosting another East Neuk cultural event in the autumn/winter [in addition to the East Neuk Music Festival, which takes place in spring] with the intention of increasing visitors for the local businesses and also to provide entertainment for the indigenous population.”
The line-up that the new event has attracted is pretty impressive, as Denise explains: “The authors joining us are Neil Oliver, historian and TV presenter, crime fiction writer Ambrose Parry [made up of the husband-and-wife team Marisa Haetzman and Chris Brookmyre], the poet and author Tom Pow, and Elizabeth Macneal, whose debut novel is being made into a major TV series.”
The authors were engaged with the support of Elizabeth Emslie, who has experience of organising other book events, and the well-known Scottish author Gillian Galbraith.
“We’re delighted with the authors who are taking part and couldn’t have got so far without their support,” enthuses Denise.
“We do feel that there is room for another literary event in Scotland. There should be every opportunity for people to hear authors speaking about their work and for the authors to share their talents.
“Ours is on a much smaller scale than Bloody Scotland, for example. However, depending on its success, we may increase its reach next year.”
The East Neuk Literary Festival committee is keen to keep the author events – which will run each Thursday evening in November – informal and relaxed.
“Which is why we chose the name Conversations on the Coast,” adds Denise.
Engaging with the authors
“The festival is very much about having conversations and engaging with authors in a more intimate setting.
“We’ve arranged four separate events over November so that visitors can spend time with each author, hear about their works and get a book signed if they’d like.
“The events will take place in the evening and will include a welcome drink from Edinburgh Gin to keep the November chills away!”
For Elizabeth Macneal, the festival will feel like something of a homecoming: “I was so delighted to be invited to the East Neuk Literary Festival,” she enthuses.
“My family is from Elie and Upper Largo, and as a child I spent most of my summers on Elie beach, playing on Anstruther harbour, or writing stories at my grandmother’s house with its views across the Forth.
“Coming to Fife always feels like a return home and I can’t wait to talk about my novels The Doll Factory and Circus of Wonders with a few familiar faces in the audience!”
The committee is also looking forward to seeing Earlsferry Town Hall take centre stage in what will hopefully be a new chapter for the building and the local community.
Find out more about the new festival and books tickets at Conversations on the Coast.
