This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scottish Arts Council Book Awards
05/06/2003
Scotland has a rich heritage of world class writers and
its contemporary writing continues to attract a world-wide
reputation for excellence, Culture Minister Frank McAveety
said today at a Scottish Arts Council awards ceremony.
White Mughals by William Dalrymple was named as SAC Book
Of The Year, and Little Rabbit Lost by Harry Horse was
named as SAC Children's Book of the Year.
Presenting the awards, Mr McAveety said:
"In Scotland today we are privileged to have writers who
are producing work of excellence that is both popularly and
critically recognised at home and abroad.
"Writers based in Scotland are creating work across a
range of literary genres that is being consumed by
increasing numbers of discerning readers.
"I am delighted to see the increased profile being given
at these awards to writing for children. It is important to
stress the positive contribution that books, storytelling
and reading can make to children's quality of life and
their future life-choices.
"The Scottish Arts Council Book Award plays a major part
in attracting significantly increased readership to its
featured books."
NOTES TO NEWS EDITOR
1. The Scottish Arts Council champions and sustains the
arts for Scotland, investing £60 million from Scottish
Executive and National Lottery funding to support and
develop artistic excellence and creativity throughout
Scotland. Further information is available from the SAC
website at
www.scottisharts.org.uk
Six writers were shortlisted for this year's SAC Book
of the Year Award. They were:
White Mughals - by William Dalrymple
Clara - by Janice Galloway
Why Don't You Stop Talking - by Jackie Kay
Pure Dead Wicked - by Debi Gliori*
Warehouse - by Keith Gray*
Little Rabbit Lost - by Harry Horse*
* Children's book
The SAC Book of the Year gives recognition to the
outstanding literary talent of Scotland. The awards have
the highest monetary value of all literary awards in
Scotland. Each of the shortlisted writers for last year's
award enjoyed a five-fold growth in sales.