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Living By Your Wits

I’ve noticed something interesting and rather, in my opinion, hypocritical, in several on-line writer’s forums.

Many of the participants classify writers. Not just the age-old struggle between “literary” writers and “commercial” writers (which, fortunately, in this age of marketing-before-all-especially-before-writing seems to be winding down). But many of these writers consider the only “real” writers to be those who write fiction.

Today, as you go through your day, look around and see how much you read in passing: a newspaper, a billboard, a brochure, information on a website, watch a commercial in between programs. All of these bits were written by someone. Someone who is making a living doing this.

A writer who is walking the walk and making a living by his or her pen.

What’s interesting about the so-called writers who huff and puff and look down their pens at working writers is that most of them aren’t published. Oh, yes, they’re working on a novel, but, you see, there’s really no time, what with the husband or wife, and the children’s activities and all that. But, they’re thinking about the novel they’ll write someday; meanwhile, they’re going to get an agent for it and work on a marketing plan.

Of course, they don’t have to count on their writing in order to live. Either they have a 9-5 job they hate and plan to write “when they get around to it” or they’re living off a spouse’s full-time job.

A writer is someone who writes. Not someone who talks about doing it “when there’s time”, but someone who puts the butt down in the chair and gets it done.

The next phase of that life is to get paid for one’s work. When you have to pay the rent and bills by your pen, you learn quite quickly to get rid of the lack of time or the blocks, or whatever other excuses keep you from doing the work. You sit down and don’t get up until it’s done. You learn to compress the process to fit the deadline. You get the work in on time – and with quality – in order to get the check.

Arthur Miller once told me, “You’ll never be a writer until you have to rely on it for your income” and he was right. Once it’s life-or-death, all the obstacles evaporate – if you’re going to survive.

How many of you have the courage to survive by your pen? Because, in addition to talent and a strong work ethic, courage is the enormous component in the equation. Being a writer is genuinely “living by your wits.”

--Devon Ellington

Rankin To Mix It With Royalty

Edinburgh-based crime writer, Ian Rankin, was last week appointed one of five new Deputy Lieutenants of Edinburgh.

The honour, announced by Lord Provost Lesley Hinds, means the Rebus author has the responsibility of deputising for Cllr. Hinds during Royal visits to the city when she is unable to attend.

Rankin was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant during a ceremony along with four other high profile people who she felt had made a significant contribution to Edinburgh life. In the past such appointments only went to high-ranking members of the military.

Cllr. Hinds said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to recognise hard working contributors to Edinburgh's community, business and cultural assets. Reinvigorating an ancient tradition in this way makes the point that Edinburgh is a city that can build on its past while looking to the future. This is the face of the 21st century."

Deputy Lieutenants have been appointed in Edinburgh since the year 1569. There are currently 20 active Deputy Lieutenants, each expected to stay in office for 10 years or until they turn 75, which ever comes first.

Speaking of the honour, Rankin said; "When I opened the letter with the offer from the Lord Provost, I didn't even know we had Deputy Lieutenants.

"It’s a great honour to have been offered the role. I was a bit worried when I received a text message from a friend saying I would have to wear a cockade!

Asked if he would be comfortable in the presence of royalty, Rankin continued: "I have met Prince Charles before, as well as Princess Anne and Prince Phillip, but never the Queen. That will be excellent."

Glasgow Art Fair Hailed a Success

The biggest commercial art event to hit Glasgow took place last week. The 12th annual Glasgow Art Fair opened its doors to the public on Thursday 19th April, showcasing more than 1000 artists from all over the world and smashing all previous sales records into the bargain.

Last year 16,000 visitors packed into a large white tent on George Square, and art lovers spent more than £1million - buying all kinds of art from small £50 works by new graduates to £30,000 pieces by some of the biggest names.

This year 18,000 buyers flocked to view new exhibitors alongside established artists over the four-day event, with the amount of art purchased smashing the £1.1m mark.

Among this year's highlights were a show by Glasgow gallery owner Victoria Cassidy, and the chance to buy work by internationally acclaimed artist David Mach. The celebrity art auction fetched over £4000 in aid of the Marie Curie Big Build Appeal to create a new hospice for the City.

Lord Provost Liz Cameron commented: "The Art Fair has been an essential part of Glasgow's thriving cultural life for more than a decade.

"Once more the Art Fair has brought a wide range of galleries to the city presenting a fantastic selection of contemporary art for sale to buyers of every budget.

"I'm delighted to be able to say it is the biggest of its kind in the UK outside London."

Related Links
www.glasgowartfair.com

Edinburgh Author’s are Top of the Books

Mark Renton, John Rebus, Ruby Lennox, and Harry Potter; four totally different characters from the minds of four totally different authors, yet each have helped in their own way, to confirm the strength of Edinburgh as a top city on the UK's contemporary literary map.

Last week, Waterstone's announced that books by four of the city’s top authors have been voted amongst the best reads of the past 25 years after a poll of the chain’s 5000 stores.

Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling, Behind the Scenes at The Museum by Kate Atkinson and Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh, all made it into a top 100 poll of the chain's 5000 booksellers.

Rankin, put forward for the first book in his Inspector Rebus series, said: "I'm thrilled that Knots and Crosses appears on the list. It was written when I was a 25-year-old student and was never meant to be the beginning of a series. Little did I know it was the start of something big."

Edwin Morgan’s Birthday Party

Due to a major computer error, I've been unable to write a proper post for this week. However, at the last minute I noticed this piece of news that is worthy of notice:

Friday 27 April, 3pm
Edwin Morgan’s Birthday Party and Launch of Beyond the Sun

All are welcome to join the National Poet of Scotland, Edwin Morgan, at the celebration of his birthday and launch of his latest book, Beyond the Sun.

Scotland’s favourite paintings – as discovered through an extensive reader’s poll with The Herald newspaper – are coupled with a corresponding poem penned by Edwin Morgan in this beautiful collection, Beyond the Sun.

Held at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum where five of the top ten paintings are installed, the launch will be a poignant combination of fine art and fine poetry.

Beyond the Sun includes introductory essays by Lesley Duncan, Poetry Editor of The Herald and Alan Riach, Professor of Scottish Literature at Glasgow University, plus an Afterword by Liz Lochhead, Glasgow’s Poet Laureate.

Details
Cost: Free
Location: Glasgow
Venue: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Bookworld Saved!

Last month it was reported in The Dog Blog, that the famous bookstore chain, BookWorld, BW!, and Bargain Books was to close its doors. We are happy to announce that the firm was recently sold and the chain will survive for now at least.

The Scottish owners of the chain went into administration several weeks ago, and although some branches closed almost at the time, the buyout means that the remaining 160 jobs in Scotland and England are now safe.

The buyout happened when parent company David Flatman Ltd, sold its retail division to The Works, thereby, saving a total of 26 shops across the country.

A separate management buyout team has purchased the company's publishing arm, Lomond Books. Joint administrator, Tom MacLennan, said; “the sale is excellent news for staff, customers, suppliers and creditors. It will mean continuity of employment for 160 staff and a very positive future for the two businesses."

Derek Hine, chief executive of The Works, said; "Bookworld has long been renowned for the quality of its staff and we are pleased to welcome 155 colleagues into the business."

The Spring 2007 Issue is now online!