Jackie Kay Appointed to Edinburgh International Book Festival Board

We're thrilled to announce that the author, poet and Scottish Makar, Jackie Kay has been appointed to the Book Festival Board.  

 

Jackie Kay is an award-winning writer of fiction, poetry and plays, whose subtle investigation into the complexities of identity have been informed by her own life. Kay was born and brought up in Scotland and has published five collections of poetry for adults (her first, The Adoption Papers, won the Forward Prize, a Saltire Award and a Scottish Arts Council Book Award) and several for children.  Her novel Trumpet has been recently reissued as a Picador classic, and in 2010 her memoir, Red Dust Road, recounted the search for her birth parents. She was awarded an MBE in 2006 for services to literature. In March 2016, Kay was appointed the Makar or National Poet for Scotland for a five year term.

 

Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said “Jackie brings a passion for words, stories and literature as well as a wealth of experience of literary events and festivals. She will be a valuable addition to our Board.”

 

Jackie Kay said “I'm honoured and delighted to be appointed to the Book Festival Board. I've been coming to the Festival for many years, and enjoyed the wonderful capaciousness of its mind - the way it opens doors for you to walk through. It is the highlight of many people's summer but its after-glow continues all year round. How lovely it is to be coming aboard!”

 

Jackie also joins us as one of our Guest Selectors this year. A full list of her Guest Selector events can be found here.