The Edinburgh City of Literature Trust have today announced Edinburgh-based author Mary Paulson-Ellis as their appointed Fellow for the Dr Gavin Wallace Fellowship, funded by Creative Scotland.
A writer whose work engages deeply with Edinburgh as a place, Mary Paulson-Ellis will be working with Edinburgh City of Literature for one year, focussing on a new writing project and forging valuable creative connections through the international UNESCO Cities of Literature network.
The Dr Gavin Wallace Fellowship offers mid-career and established writers time to develop creative work during a year-long residency. Following the sad loss of Dr Wallace in February 2013, Creative Scotland established this annual fellowship in his name to honour his memory and commemorate and continue his good work.
Ali Bowden, Director of Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust, said: “We’re so pleased to be hosting Mary Paulson-Ellis, a writer for whom Edinburgh is not only a setting but a character, for the Dr Gavin Wallace Fellowship as part of our international residency programme. Dr Gavin Wallace was instrumental in Edinburgh securing its UNESCO City of Literature designation and as keen supporter of international exchange, we are honoured to be hosting this fellowship in his name. Our hope is that the diverse and active UNESCO Cities of Literature network will provide a welcoming and creative space, stimulating an international exchange of ideas.”
Mary Paulson-Ellis said: “I am truly honoured to be the recipient of this year’s Dr Gavin Wallace Fellowship, in partnership with Edinburgh City of Literature. As a local author of many years standing, and someone who uses the city as a canvas for my work, this is a very exciting moment for me.
"I’ve long harboured ambitions to write a big, sprawling, multi-layered novel of Edinburgh, so I’m thrilled to be working with the City of Literature to make this dream come alive on the page.
"I’m also looking forward to sharing my experiences as a writer-in-residence in Edinburgh with other authors across the Cities of Literature network, in a vibrant, international exchange of ideas. Fellowship and connection are at the heart of this network, and my new novel, so I’m hugely grateful for this unique opportunity to explore the true meaning of both within my home city and beyond.”
Harriet MacMillan, Literature Officer at Creative Scotland, said: “We are delighted that Mary Paulson-Ellis will be this year’s Gavin Wallace Fellow. As an esteemed writer whose work has often engaged with the city of Edinburgh, she is a wonderful fit for this year’s host organisation, Edinburgh City of Literature. We are excited to see how she makes use of the host’s international creative networks and can’t wait to hear about the work she produces during this Fellowship year.”
The Dr Gavin Wallace Fellowship is funded by Creative Scotland. The Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust gratefully acknowledges the support of the City of Edinburgh Council, and thanks the donors and partners who make our work possible.
Background
The Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust is the development agency for Edinburgh as a UNESCO City of Literature. It works to bring literature to the streets of Edinburgh, involving people in the city’s literary life, bringing organisations to work together collaboratively for greater impact, and sharing Edinburgh’s literary story with the world. Follow them at https://cityofliterature.com @EdinCityofLit
In 2004 Edinburgh was designated the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature, a permanent title celebrating Edinburgh's status as a literary capital and pioneer in the UNESCO Creative Cities network, which now has 295 member cities in seven creative artforms across the globe. The concept of a City of Literature was devised in Edinburgh by the Trust’s founding members and there are now 42 UNESCO Cities of Literature in the world.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot
Mary Paulson-Ellis lives in Edinburgh where she writes across the genres of crime, historical and literary fiction, exploring the world of people who die with no next-of-kin. Her critically acclaimed debut, The Other Mrs Walker was a Times bestseller and Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year. Her second, The Inheritance of Solomon Farthing was long-listed for the McIlvanney Prize for best Scottish crime novel and a Historical Writers Association Gold Crown. Mary’s short fiction and non-fiction have featured in the Guardian and on BBC Radio 4. In 2019 Val McDermid selected her as one of ten exciting LGBTQ+ writers working today. She has an MLitt in Creative Writing from Glasgow University where, on graduating, she was awarded the inaugural Curtis Brown Prize for Fiction. Emily Noble’s Disgrace is her third novel.
Media Contacts
Communications Officer, City of Literature Trust [email protected]