Award-winning author Kerry Hudson will bring the joy of books and writing to communities as part of Paisley Book Festival

The Paisley Book Festival, organized by OneRen, will run for four days from Thursday 16 February to Sunday 19 February and will bring some of the best writers to the town for discussions and events.

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Paisley Book Festival (Image: Renfrewshire Council)

Kerry, who lives in Glasgow but is originally from Aberdeen, will be running taster sessions in communities across Renfrewshire as part of her role as performer at the festival.

She said: “I think the title ‘Writer in Service’ would be more appropriate because I really believe that when you take on a role like that, you’re then working for the people in that community.

“I want to create a safe and enjoyable environment, especially for those who may be completely new to writing and living literature, empowering people along the way.

“It can be incredibly intimidating to enter a space where you’re expected to just create, learn or experiment if you haven’t done that before, and I know that from my own personal experience.

“Through our informal taster sessions, often held in unexpected locations, we can help people experiment with writing, explore their imaginations and hopefully build their confidence and creativity.”

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OneRen’s Louise Oliver, producer of Paisley Book Festival, said: “We are delighted to welcome Kerry to the team and I have no doubt that she will be a huge success with the people of Renfrewshire.

“One of the main goals of the festival is to bring the joy of literature and writing to our communities, and we know that the only way to do that is to reach out to people.

“Kerry is not only a widely recognized and accomplished author, but also a teacher with a strong history working with communities both at home and abroad.

“Carrie is aware of the barriers that sometimes come with emerging creativity, and she knows how to help people find their own love for the written and spoken word.

“I would encourage everyone to look out for Kerry’s workshops and taster sessions in the coming months.”

Full details of Kerry’s sessions at various Renfrewshire venues will be announced between late November and January.

You can learn more HERE.