Celebrating the Kirkcudbright effect

[John Dean]

I am delighted to have had a piece accepted for a new book that celebrates the way that Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway inspires writers.

Kirkcudbright Encounters started life as a fightback against the dismal days of Covid and features local writers.

It is published by The Stewartry Writers and Friends, who include members of Kirkcudbright Poetry Group and The Gallery Writers, of which  I am a member.

The writers took up the challenge to respond to the place and people of Kirkcudbright through poetry and story-telling.

The resultant works include scenes on the River Dee, one involving a frisky mermaid, tales of creaking oars in the dark of night, several scenes involving bad driving and another about hope, something we all need in these times, plus a nasty incident with a choir and another involving the surgeon’s knife.

As Kirkcudbright is the Artists’ Town, there are accounts about artists and their model, references to The Galloway Hoard, and local archaeology, as well as tales of love and regret, plus lots of photographs and illustrations. I live in the area and my contribution is a piece of flash fiction.

Kirkcudbright Encounters is available from Kirkcudbright Post Office, Kirkcudbright Galleries and The Tollbooth, as well as from Barry Smart in Castle Douglas and other outlets. Price £8.

[Diane M Dickson]

congratulations. Sounds like an interesting project. dd

[John Dean]

Thank you, Diane, it was indeed