Black Isle author shortlisted for national literary prize with debut novel
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BLACK Isle writer Verity Walker has been shortlisted for a national literary prize with her debut novel, Major Tom's War.
Written under the name Vee Walker, it is set it is set against the background of World War I and although it is a work of fiction, it is based on real people, places and events drawn from her grandfather’s unpublished war diary scrapbook, lovingly assembled by her grandmother, Evie.
It is one of five titles in the running for an inaugural award to be announced at next month's Malvern Military History Festival, Britain’s only literary festival dedicated solely to military history.
The Society for Army Historical Research (SAHR) Prize for Military Fiction will be announced during a reception on Saturday October 26.
Ms Walker, of Fortrose, is delighted that her book, launched last year at the National Army Museum in London, is among the contenders.
"I was completely gob-smacked to be shortlisted," she said. "I am not a historian. It was written very much as a story."
Major Tom's War is set against the background of events in India, England, Wales, Scotland, Belgium, Germany and France including the suffragette movement, executions by firing squad and the retreat from the Somme in March 1918.
Ms Walker, a museums and heritage consultant, spent almost a decade researching and writing the book which was snapped up by niche publisher, Kashi House.
She is also leading two free workshops on October 3 as part of NessBookFest in Inverness.
She will run a morning workshop at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery encouraging people to write short stories based on treasured family items such as an object or photograph. It will run from 10.30am to 12.30pm and places must be booked beforehand.
"It is for all ages and abilities – people who have never written before to people who hve been published," she said. "I will be giving tips and encouragement."
In the afternoon, she will run another workshop for users of the Nettley Centre at Highland Hospice.
"When someone is terminally ill, their thoughts often turn to their possessions and the stories attached to them and making sure they are carried forward," Ms Walker said.
