Top authors 'booked' for festival

People are being encouraged to come along to local library events

Award-winning authors, football pundits and family history experts are among guests taking part in this year's North Lanarkshire Book Festival.

'Words 2007' started this week and runs until Saturday 13 October.

Scottish favourites Isla Dewar and Janice Galloway are among a host of authors who will give readings.

The BBC's Tam Cowan will host a special 'Fitba' Daft' evening and the creator of the hugely popular Katie Morag books will hold a workshop for children.

The books and writing festival, now in its second year, will also include local and family history events.

People are encouraged to come along to their local libraries to take part in 'Who do you think you are?' sessions, with experts on hand to help trace family trees.

'Reader-centred'

Lizanne McMurrich, head of community information and learning, said: "We are delighted to offer people in North Lanarkshire the opportunity to meet such a wide range of authors and attend reader-centred events.

"There is an even bigger line-up this year of top authors from across the full spectrum of literary genres and for all age groups.

"Janice Galloway, Professor Tom Devine, Isla Dewar, Laura Marney and Geraldine O'Neill are just a small selection of the authors who will be visiting libraries."

Organisers were also promising plenty of events for children and young people.

There is an even bigger line up this year of top authors from across the full spectrum of literary genres. Lizanne McMurrich North Lanarkshire Council

Mairi Hedderwick, writer and illustrator of the Katie Morag series of books, will be at Wishaw Library on Saturday 6 October to talk to children about the much-loved stories.

Third and fourth year pupils at 25 secondary schools across the county have also been casting their votes in a bid to find the best teenage contemporary fiction.

The winning title, chosen from a short list of four, will receive the North Lanarkshire Catalyst Book Award 2007.

The award was set up to promote teenage fiction in North Lanarkshire's secondary schools and community libraries, and encourage a higher level of teenagers reading for enjoyment.

Further information about the book festival can be obtained by calling in to any North Lanarkshire library to collect a brochure or by visiting the council's website.