Two writers who feature in HI~Arts’ Spring 2011 Sampler of the best unpublished writing in the Highlands and Islands region, are giving showcase readings of their work at the Highland Literary Salon on Tuesday 19th April 2011.

But, although both Orla Broderick and Richard Neath live on the Isle of Skye, their work comes from very different parts of the literary spectrum, and their reading together proves not only the depth but the diversity of writing coming from the Highlands and Islands.

Orla Broderick’s work in a progress is her first novel, the highly original ‘The January Flower’. The novel tells the story of Mary, a women living on the fictional Island housing estate ‘Drumlie Dub’, and, as Orla explains:

‘Mary cannot easily conform to the ways of an ordinary housing scheme. Her sensitivity clashes with the local culture and, with her small daughter, she escapes into the beauty of her island home where she dances, weeps and allows her imagination to soar, all in her search for love and the strength to maintain it.’

Orla was mentored through HI~Arts’ Writing Development Programme by internationally acclaimed – and Isle of Raasay based – writer Roger Hutchinson (Calum’s Road). HI~Arts’ Writing Development Coordinator Peter Urpeth first met Orla at a writer 1-2-1 session in the Aos Dana Book festival at Sabhal Mor Ostaig some five years ago.

‘It was clear to me from that first meeting’, says Peter, ‘that Orla has as a writer something very different to offer. Her work is spans an incredible emotional range and with a real stylistic originality, everything from gritty honesty in the raw realities of the lives of her characters, to a highly engaging vision of alternatives, and a real poetic bent.’

Richard Neath’s first novel, ‘A Fall of Stones’, was self-published and yet, unlike many authors who choose to publish their own work, he managed to sell 1000s of copies of the title, requiring three reprints and huge amount of work organising promo events, readings, local media and the logistics of having copies to sell.

His second novel, ‘Breakfast Will Do’, is a genre-busting murder mystery that’s also part ‘road’ novel part action thriller.

As Richard explains: ‘It is a book of unexpected twists and turns that tells the story of Charles Spencer Eddington over the course of one night’s drive along the M6 motorway north to the island of Seil. Bitter over the death of his father, even more so over the betrayal of the, albeit short term, love of his life, Charles has thrown himself into a life of alcohol, computer games and depression – a life that grows more desperate as his outlook on the world becomes more cynical each day. ‘Breakfast will do’ is a story riddled with dark humour and presents a main character so deeply etched with cynicism that the reader at first wants to slap him, then, gradually starts to feel just that bit sorry for him and finally, hopefully, wants to shake his hand.’

Peter Urpeth first met Richard at a writer 1-2-1 session at HIE offices in Portree, Isle of Skye and, says Peter, Richard’s dedication to promote his work is a hard but object lesson for many writers wanting to find readers for their work in the contemporary book trade:

‘Richard’s story is almost the stuff of novels itself’, says Peter. ‘The book trade is no longer a straight forward struggle to get an agent, get a publisher and promote your work to a target readership who easily hear of your work, and want to buy it. The reality for many authors today is that traditional publishing routes are simply not available. Richard has shown that by having the guts and determination to publish and promote your own work, a readership can be found. Having gone down that route once, and having proven his work appeals to a wide readership, Richard is now seeking a publisher for his second novel.’

Orla and Richard’s readings take place at the Highland Literary Salon at 7.30pm on Tuesday 19th April, at The Glen Mhor Hotel, Ness Bank, Inverness.

Samples of Orla and Richard’s work can be read in the HI~Arts New Writing Sampler: http://issuu.com/hi-arts/docs/hi-arts_new_writing_sampler_spring_2011/1