Edinburgh Book Festival nominations

Debut novels from two island writers have been nominated for the Edinburgh International Book Festival's 'First Book' award.

Although Stornoway poet and storyteller, Ian Stephen
has published short stories and several books of poetry, his first novel, A Book of Death and Fish is eligible for this annual prize.

Stephen's book was launched at the 2014 Faclan Festival and was chosen as a Book of the Year by Robert MacFarlane, for the Guardian and Candia McWilliams for the Herald.

Michael F Russell - who hails from Barra and is a journalist with the West Higland Free Press, is also on the shortlist for his post apocalypse Highland based novel, Lie of the Land.

The two authors discussed their contrasting works at Ulapool Book Festival earlier this year and both are on the programme of Edinburgh Book Festival.

Readers who have enjoyed these works are invited to cast their vote on line at www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/first-book-award/vote

Island authors in running for literary award

21 July 2015