There is, as far as I know, no central register of UK book festivals, but a modest degree of research shows that the current number is well in excess of 100, including the recently held event on Islay.
And though these range in size from the larger editions such as Hay, Oxford and Edinburgh, to smaller events such as those on Islay or in Derby, what they all have in common is a pressing need for both books and authors.
Without the latter, most would resemble grandiose book shops, albeit with very wide range of reading matter for purchase.
Book sales over the past five years have shown steady, but impressive gains, with figures in 2023 showing a 300% increase over those of 2018. It’s safe to say, therefore, that public demand for books is demonstrably on the increase.
In 2023, fifty new independent bookshops opened across the country.
Authorship, however, tends to be similar to that of the visual artist; a somewhat solitary affair, where, traditionally, the end result is adjudged of greater importance than of its creator. That, however, seems to have altered, with authors, particularly of fiction, frequently gathering every bit as much attention as their books.
So are authors comfortable with this possibly enforced transition to becoming ‘celebrities’? Is this their option, or is it something encouraged by their publishers? Are we, as a demanding audience, guilty of expecting authors to be ‘personalities’?
Islay’s opening event, held in Bowmore’s Round Church, witnessed Islay-born, BBC political journalist, Glenn Campbell, interview author of ‘The Mayflies’ and ‘Caledonian Road’, Andrew O’Hagan. During their conversation, Mr O’Hagan mentioned that he was then into the seventh week of a promotional tour, which had included several European cities.
So why has this happened? And are book authors comfortable with this aspect of their careers? After perhaps several years of solitary research and the seemingly endless re-writing of a series of drafts, is it daunting to emerge into the limelight, touring a number of national and/or international book festivals, answering questions about scenes and characters from their recently published books?
Has this become something that has to be factored in during the writing process, ensuring that they are never stuck for a cogent answer?
Local author, Les Wilson, whose most recent book ‘Orwell’s Island’ brought him to a discussion on Orwell’s ‘1984’ with author Gary Younge, and chaired by Orwell’s son, Richard Blair, told me, “Some authors are shy and never feel comfortable away from the desk, couch, bed, or wherever they write. Others embrace the chance to meet readers and talk about their work. I’m one of the latter.
“I believe that if you have spent effort writing a book it is worth spending a little time and effort to get people to notice it. Also, writers may just learn something by meeting their readers.”
Public popularity, however, can occasionally be seen as a double-edged sword.
“Back in the 1970s, I was an on-screen reporter for STV and on the news programme several times a week. One evening I was on the Glasgow Underground, crowded with football supporters going to Ibrox. I had a seat, and so did an old lady who sat diagonally across from me. She was peering at me through the throng of football fans. When the train reached a station, and it became relatively quiet, she shouted across to me, ‘Are you Les Wilson?’
“As I gave her the thumbs up, about a dozen guys all muttered, ‘Who the **** is Les Wilson?’ As they all said it at the same time, it came out loudly, as if from a chorus. Realising this, they all turned to look at me and laughed. I was mortified!
“Fortunately, book festivals have (so far) been less embarrassing, and I really enjoy meeting readers.”
Sue Lawrence, a writer of both fiction (Ladies’ Rock) and cookery (New Scottish Baking), said, “It’s such a difficult area, as some authors are inherently shy (the concept of a writer in the attic springs to mind) and thus hate the thought of standing up in front of lots of people talking about their own book.
“Also it’s so ‘un-Scottish’ to talk about ourselves!”
Sue’s first book was published in 1992, and she claims that she’s become used to it by now. Prior to that, she had won BBC’s ‘Masterchef’, “So I was thrust unwittingly into the limelight in the aftermath.”
However, she did point out, “There is nothing quite as daunting as a live audience. But the main thing to remember is, that they are, in fact, rooting for you!”
Gary Younge, who appeared with Les Wilson at the Islay Book Festival, is an accomplished journalist and author, having written at length for ‘The Guardian’ and contributed to ‘The Washington Post’ amongst others.
“When I write a book I want people to read it and I consider (book) events as part of the promotion process. Of course that pleases the publisher, but it’s not why I do it. Also as a professor, employed by a publicly-funded university, I think there is value in undertaking public events.
“But it’s not for everybody. The attributes that make someone a good writer don’t necessarily make them a good talker – nor should we expect them to. So some people have different comfort levels with it all.
“As for the celebrity aspect – I don’t think of myself as that, or as a ‘personality’. Indeed I find the less I think of myself in that regard, the better. My name is already on a book. That’ll do.”
Gary touches briefly above on pleasing the publisher, whose job it has traditionally been to publicise books on which they have spent both time and money. Having a ‘personality’ who might assist with that process is likely not to be underestimated.
Reluctance to join that particular party, however, might not be an option. Sue Lawrence told me, “Some publishers not only ‘recommend’ that you do these events, sometimes it is, in fact, written into to your contract.”
Mike Billett, author of ‘Peat and Whisky’ said that he doesn’t consider himself a ‘celebrity’, but added, “I have welcomed the opportunity to participate in all events. I think it is part of the ‘author-reader contract’ and why events like the Islay Book Festival are so important and enjoyable.
“Adapting to becoming a more public figure has been easy and rewarding – new contacts, friendships and journeys make all those hours in the peat bog and at the writing desk worthwhile. And, just hearing from someone who has read and enjoyed your book is something special.”
Mike told me that more appearances are planned when the book is released in North America this October.
Though the quotes above are from a small minority of authors writing on diverse subjects, it would appear that the opportunity to get away from the word processor, however briefly, might be just the tonic required before settling into the next period of writing.
And an apparent eagerness to meet with ‘their’ public is probably the principal ingredient that makes events like the Islay Book Festival so widely informative and entertaining.
