Literary Auction to Fund New Dictionary
When Scottish Language Dictionaries of Edinburgh asked Scotland's writers to donate items to raise money for a new Scots dictionary, they received some very prestigious items indeed. Scotsman.com reports that Harry Potter powerhouse J.K. Rowling donated "The Ballad of Nearly Headless Nick," a poem she cut out of one her books. Ian Rankin, author of the Rebus novels, arguably the most famous detective novels set in Edinburgh, donated a handwritten draft of "a possible opening to the final Rebus novel", sets out a scene where Rebus arranges to meet his arch enemy, the gangster "Big Ger" McCafferty. Alexander McCall Smith, creator of Mma. Ramotswe, donated of a series of pieces and the Scottish poet Edwin Morgan contributed a signed short story. The collection is being displayed at the Scottish Poetry Library until Thursday. The auction will be held on March 24 by Edinburgh auction house Lyon and Turnbull.