Margaret Atwood arrives to begin Muriel Spark International Fellowship

Canadian author Margaret Atwood arrives in Scotland today to begin her month-long Muriel Spark International Fellowship.

The Fellowship, established by the Scottish Arts Council, hosts a one-month visit to Scotland by a leading world writer every two years, providing them with the opportunity to spend time concentrating on work while also taking part in a number of light public duties, including presenting masterclasses, readings and lectures.

Margaret Atwood has written more than thirty internationally acclaimed works of fiction, poetry, and critical essays, including The Blind Assassin, which won the 2000 Booker Prize for Fiction.  Other works include the Booker Prize shortlisted novels The Handmaid’s Tale, Cat’s Eyes, Alias Grace, and Oryx and Crake, which was also shortlisted for the 2004 Orange Prize for Fiction.  In 2005 Margaret also received the Edinburgh International Book Festival Enlightenment Award.  Her latest work, Moral Disorder, is a collection of 11 inter-related short stories.

During her Fellowship, Ms Atwood will be giving a masterclass at Glasgow University to students of its Creative Writing programme, as well as appearing at the StAnza poetry festival in St Andrews.  She will also appear at Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall in an exclusive Edinburgh International Book Festival event, reading from Moral Disorder.

Gavin Wallace, Head of Literature, Scottish Arts Council said: ‘It is an inestimable privilege to welcome an author of Margaret Atwood’s stature to Scotland as our first Muriel Spark International Fellow, and I have no doubt her visit will be a major inspiration to us all’.

Media contact:
Sophy Dale
Tel: 07967 775 912
Michelle Jordan, Scottish Arts Council                   
0131 240 2404

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Arts Council champions and sustains the arts for Scotland, investing over £60 million from Scottish Executive and National Lottery funding to support and develop artistic excellence and creativity throughout Scotland. Further information is available on our website: www.scottisharts.org.uk
2. For more information about Margaret Atwood visit: www.owtoad.com

Contact email(s)

media.office@scottisharts.org.uk

Issued by: Scottish Arts Council