Last Saturday of the Wigtown Book Festival, 2012

To tell it quickly, the Wigtown Book Festival is a week-long event dedicated to the celebration of writing. Authors from a wide variety of genres and specialities come together to talk about their work, and there is as much to enjoy for children as there is for adults. Events dedicated to visual arts, and to poetry, are to be seen and enjoyed throughout the week, as well as stands and stalls stocked full with mementos, toys, flowers, confectionary, dairy goods and baking.

Sadly for me, I learnt about the Festival just that little bit too late, and was only able to attend the last Saturday's sights (the 6th Oct.).  The town of Wigtown itself really was quite a pleasant place, with a certain ambience that reflects the charm best seen in these old towns -- overlooked by time and by modernisation, but so much the better for it. What did perhaps add to the atmosphere however, was -- and I was a bit surprised by this -- how quiet it was. Granted, I turned up quite early, and perhaps the day hadn't yet gone into full swing, but what with the Festival's reputation, I had expected things to be a little more bustling!
That said, it was a great day nonetheless. Authors were speaking about their works within the tents and halls (which I hadn't the foresight to book many tickets to), and the stalls and stands each were doing good business (The great big hog roast, most of all!). So, perhaps the empty streets were just a sign of people attending events, rather than a sign of poor turn-out.

Wigtown

As for myself, I thought it'd be worth attending, at least for one day, to see what a true literary festival was like. I'd heard that it's name was well respected, and that some from the business of writing would be attending. With a few copies of an extract from my own work (just in case anybody was interested), and a few questions I was keen to ask those in the know, I attended.

As I said, things appeared a bit quiet while I was there, and so I didn't find very many writers or those in the industry to speak to. However, there were two authors I was lucky and privileged enough to catch a few words with, who each gave me some good advice on how to push oneself onward, when seeking publication. Those authors were: Kevin Barry, who was speaking of his striking collection of short stories in Dark Lies the Island, and Sara Sheridan, who spoke of her post-war murder mystery Brighton Belle.

I was very pleased to be able to speak with them, even for just a few moments, and with both their advice and the day's sights in mind, I do believe I'll be keen to attend again next year!