Elle McNicoll - Keedie
WithElle McNicoll
In conversation withMairi Kidd
On:11th April 2024, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
We're really excited that Elle McNicoll is returning to the bookshop for an event to celebrate the publication of Keedie – the highly-anticipated prequel to her award-winning debut middle-grade novel, A Kind of Spark. The previous events we've hosted with Elle McNicoll, for Like A Charm and Like A Curse respectively, have been joy-filled evenings celebrating the power of stories and we cannot wait for another one on Thursday 11th April!
This family-friendly event will take place in the bookshop with an in-person audience, as well as a livestream for attendees watching from home. There will be a signing after the event.
In-person vouchers can be redeemed on the night of the event against a single copy of Keedie – we will have a list of attendees with vouchers to be redeemed. Please note that only one voucher can be redeemed per book. Livestream vouchers are valid until the day after the event and can be redeemed on the website against a single copy of Keedie.
About Keedie:
Set in Juniper five years before A Kind of Spark, Keedie is a powerful coming-of-age story that thoughtfully tackles bullying, navigating friendships, and the joys and difficulties of being an autistic teenager.
As Keedie and her twin sister Nina approach their fourteenth birthday, they seem to only be growing further apart. Keedie instead feels drawn to, and fiercely protective of, their quiet younger sister Addie - who on the surface is the opposite of loud and fiery Keedie, but in fact they have more in common than anyone knows.
Please note: Tickets for our events are non-refundable. Professional photography and videography may take place during this event. Thank you for your understanding.
Participants:
Elle McNicoll Author
Elle McNicoll is a bestselling, multi-award-winning Scottish children’s author. Her debut novel, A Kind of Spark, won the Blue Peter Book Award and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, and was adapted for TV – Elle worked as a writer and consultant on the show, with Season 2 due to be released in 2024. Elle is an advocate for better representation of neurodiversity in publishing and founder of The Adrien Prize. She currently lives in London.
Mairi Kidd Chair
Mairi Kidd heads Moat Brae, the Birthplace of Peter Pan and Scotland's National Centre for Children's Books. She was formerly MD of Barrington Stoke, a children's publishing house working to open up the written word to children and young people with dyslexia, CEO of Seven Stories the National Centre for Children's Books and Head of Literature at Creative Scotland. Mairi is the author of We are All Witches, Warriors and Witches and Damn Rebel Bitches and Feisty and Fiery and Fierce, as well as Strong Brave True, Scottish Fairytales, Myths and Legends and a number of books in Gaelic for young readers including Uilleam Againne - the Gaelic translation of Oor Wullie! Mairi lives in Portobello with her husband Tom, an illustrator, and their very handsome cat.
The venue
The Portobello Bookshop
46 Portobello High Street
Edinburgh
EH15 1DA
Telephone: 0131 629 6756
Website: www.theportobellobookshop.com
Wheelchair Access
We have a ramp at the front of the shop which has a ratio of 1:10 and loading capacity of 300kg, and so should be able to be used by most wheelchair users or those with mobility vehicles. The front doors are fully automated. Our shop interior is designed to allow access throughout for wheelchair users and prams, though please note there is only 700mm wide clearance to access the staff toilet.
Sound
We use a PA system to enhance the audio at our live events. We also have a hearing loop system installed, if you’d like to use our loop system during an event please let us know and we’ll make sure we have it set up and connected to the live audio feed during the event. If you wish to attend an event and require BSL interpretation, please give us a few weeks notice and we’ll do our best to arrange an interpreter.