Award winning author Maggie O'Farrell will read from and discuss her novels at the University of Glasgow on 17 January 2007. Publisher for Hodder Headlines, Bob McDevitt, will be in conversation with Maggie as well as discussing the opportunities for writers in the Scottish and UK publishing market.

Maggie O'Farrell's debut novel, After You'd Gone (2000), won a Betty Trask Award and was followed by two further novels: My Lover's Lover (2002); and The Distance Between Us (2004), winner of a Somerset Maugham Award. Her work has been translated into 16 languages and her latest novel is The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox (2006).

Bob McDevitt is head of Hodder Headlines' Scottish publishing operations and is editor of their Sceptre fiction list.

Professor Michael Schmidt, Convener of the Creative Writing MLitt Course at the University, said: "I am delighted that Maggie O'Farrell and Bob McDevitt will be coming to the University. Their experience and advice will be of interest not only to our students on the Creative Writing course but also to the wider public.

"This event is one in a series of talks taking place at the University by eminent individuals in the field of creative writing which will not only enhance the experience of our students in arts based courses but will also enhance the city's reputation for attracting the best talent in the arts industry."

The talk will take place on 17 January 2006 at 5.30pm in Seminar Room 2, Wolfson Medical Building, University of Glasgow. The event is free and open to the public.

Kate Richardson (K.Richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk)

For more information please contact the University of Glasgow?s Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3683 or email K.Richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk

Journalists and photographers are invited to the event and should contact the Media Relations Office if they plan to attend. There will be a photo opportunity with Maggie O'Farrell and Bob McDevitt when the talk concludes at 6.30pm.

The University of Glasgow is one of the United Kingdom?s oldest and most prestigious universities, with an international reputation for its research and teaching and an important role in the cultural and commercial life of the country.

First published: 12 January 2007