From Kathryn Holme and Blair H. Smith, with a note from Chair of Fife Writes, Marianne L. Berghuis
Kathryn Holme self-published her first children’s picture book on Friday May 10th 2024. Captain Kit – a rhyming story about a pirate who likes snacking – was conceived in 2015 when Kathryn couldn’t find many library books with characters who shared the name of her youngest son.
For years, the story lay forgotten until Kathryn entered an updated version of it in the 2023 Scottish Association of Writers' Under 7s Short Story Competition, where it was commended. Maggie Bolton was the adjudicator for the competition and the pair have since collaborated on this book. Kathryn decided to self-publish Captain Kit to raise funds for her son’s expensive hobby – designing a combat robot! More information on his exciting project can be found at: kitscombatrobots.blogspot.com
"I've found the process of creating a picture book both enjoyable and challenging. I’ve learned lots of skills regarding layout of text and images in order to capture the essence of the story. I’ve had great advice from my two mentors: Sophie Hannah (bestselling author and creator of the Dream Author programme) and Pauline Tait (award-winning children’s author)."
Captain Kit was awarded the Golden Wizard Book Prize 2024 in July, with Louise Jane, CEO, claiming, “Kathryn Holme's Captain Kit is a true standout in the world of children's literature!”
Over the summer, Kathryn held events at Waterstones in both St Andrews and Dundee, Adventure Golf Island in Dunfermline, Ink and Quill Bookshop in Montrose, Dundee Central Library, Discovery Point in Dundee and Forgan’s in Broughty Ferry. She will also be part of the Auchterarder Book Festival on Saturday 9th November and at Angus Book Fest on Saturday 16th November.
The book can be purchased online via Waterstones and Amazon. Copies of the book are also available to buy in-person right here in St Andrews from both Waterstones and Topping and Company Booksellers.
Meanwhile, another St Andrews writer, Blair H. Smith, has just published Stranger Within – a collection of poetry and prose. This is his second collection, and his first since 1996. Illustrated by artist Emma Rankin, the book includes poems and short stories that are drawn from his experience as a doctor and a patient, and as a father and a son, among other roles. The title refers to a line in the first poem, in which the writer meets his own conscience, but also describes how the world – and the writer – appear different when examined closely.
Blair said, “This collection brings together work from across the years, and its compilation has been an interesting and reflective process, involving heart and soul. I’ve particularly enjoyed the input and support from Fife Writes, our local writers’ group, which inspired many of the more recent inclusions.”
Stranger Within was launched formally in St Andrews in August, with further readings and events planned locally and further afield. It is available from the publisher (Lumphanan Press: lumphananpress.co.uk), from the author directly,
and will become available in local bookshops soon!
An Overview of Fife Writes
from Chair, Marianne L. Berghuis
Fife Writes has supported writers since the group began over ten years ago. It gained charity status in 2020, which allowed us access to grants so we could begin to offer more writing-based events and showcase our members’ work. The organisation, run solely by volunteers, aims to provide varied opportunities for writers of all abilities; keeping them motivated, developing their writing, celebrating their writing successes and encouraging them to perform in front of live audiences. In 2022, the former St Andrews-based Byre Writers officially amalgamated with Fife Writes, creating a larger group and allowing the organisation to cover more of Fife.
Fife Writes offers writing support groups for its members. The groups provide peer support and are a great place to discuss ideas and gain feedback from other writers. Our membership consists of both published authors and those who write for enjoyment. We are a collective, friendly group of storytellers, poets, short story, script, flash fiction, memoir and novel writers. All are welcome no matter what stage of writing you are at. When time – and funding – allows, we also run creative writing workshops across Fife and have facilitated Book Week Scotland events (funded by the Scottish Book Trust) and writing hours at the annual StAnza poetry festival.
Visit fifewrites.org.uk
Facebook @FifeWrites
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