Two popular Highland authors have made contributions to a new literary venture to raise money for NHS charities.
Neil Lancaster and Margaret Kirk, who have recently swept to prominence with crime books such as Going Dark and What Lies Buried, are included in the Noir at the Bar initiative which will be published next month.
Mr Lancaster, who is based in the Black Isle, said he was delighted to get involved with the project which has been pulled together by Simon Bewick and Vic Watson, whose work features a diverse range of 30 crime short stories from more than 20 writers.
Mr Lancaster said: “I jumped at the chance to support NHS charities.
“The opportunity to have a story featured alongside such amazing authors including my fellow Highland writer, Margaret Kirk, and Scottish bestseller, Neil Broadfoot was just too good to miss.
“This is a terrific concept where the writing community have all donated their stories to help worthy causes and I am proud to be part of it.”
When the lockdown started, Noir’s founder, writer and creative writing tutor, Ms Watson, invited authors to join a free weekly virtual get-together.
Mr Bewick, a marketing consultant and writer, agreed to provide marketing and technical support and, in less than two months, more than 70 authors have already appeared at Virtual Noir at the Bar, with over 100 more scheduled until August.
All the authors, editors and designers have given their time freely and agreed that all proceeds should go towards supporting the NHS.
Ms Watson said: “Running Virtual Noir at the Bar has given us the ability to host writers from across world, together in the one space.
“We’ve even had authors in New Zealand getting up at 6.30am to appear and bringing an audience with them!
“I’m keen to showcase new and emerging writers alongside established authors within the anthology. People may buy it because of the writers they’re familiar with, but they’ll be treated to stories from writers who will become household names.”
Mr Bewick added: “Anyone buying the book will not only get some of the best short crime and mystery fiction available at a fantastic price, but they will be donating to the NHS – so it’s a win-win situation!”
Noir from the Bar is available from June 10, via Amazon Kindle, for £2.99. All proceeds will go to NHS Charities Together.