Up-and-coming authors are being given the chance to take to the stage and share their work when a unique crime fiction festival returns to the north-east.
Granite Noir was held for the third time in February, with dozens of authors involved in hosting talks, readings and workshops across a range of venues in Aberdeen.
Over the three days crowds heard from big names including Stuart Macbride, Susan Calman and broadcaster James Naughtie, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon chairing a session with author Abir Mukherjee.
And alongside them, a raft of north-east writers were given the opportunity to read extracts from their own noir fiction.
Applications have now opened for the 2020 “locals in the limelight” scheme, with those successful receiving the opportunity to share the billing with some of the literary world’s most influential individuals.
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Aberdeen writer and former policeman Eric Davidson released his first crime novel, 1906, five years ago and was one of those selected for the initiative last year.
He said: “Granite Noir has done wonders for my profile as an author.”
Jane Spiers, chief executive of organising body Aberdeen Performing Arts, said: “In 2019, Granite Noir hosted 37 events across seven venues, with 64 international authors.
“We are so proud of how far the festival has come, and thrilled to have been shortlisted as one of the best cultural events in Scotland.
“Granite Noir attracts top international authors and fans of the crime fiction from far and wide, and we are delighted to be able to offer a fantastic platform for local authors to share their work each year as part of the festival.
“If you are an unpublished or self-published writer based in the north-east and would like a chance to showcase your work at Granite Noir 2020, we would like to hear from you.”
Those interested in applying should send an extract of their work, a one-paragraph biography and their contact information to Lesley Anne Rose by emailing lesleyanne.rose@aberdeenperformingarts.com by noon on September 2.