This year the people at The Brighton Prize decided to launch their new anthology from Edinburgh - the winner, Paula Hunter, hails from here and one of the runners-up is not far away (that's me by the way) and one of the shortlistees, Joanna Piesse, comes from the north, too, so it seemed like a good idea.
The event was held in the wonderful 'Golden Hare Bookshop' - I defy any booklover to go in here and not come out with a book or two or three to add to their bookshelves…a simply beautiful selection of books. The shops holds about 32 in the audience and the place was pretty full.
It is such an intimate and lovely venue to read in and the staff are so friendly and welcoming. It was a bright warm Edinburgh evening - and that always lifts the mood in the city. People shrug off their winter wardrobes and everywhere is lit up and filled with colour.
The readings went well - I really enjoyed hearing Paula and Joanna's stories read. Paula's is so beautifully understated and poignant; Joanna's has a punchy first page and a captivating voice. The readings were well received and the audience had time at the end to ask questions - good questions, too, something we could get our teeth into. And I believe we shifted some anthologies.
All in all, a successful launch to The Brighton Prize anthology.
Thanks to everyone.
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