One of Scotland's most acclaimed authors is backing a campaign to make more literature accessible to people with sight loss.
James Kelman will be reading from his award-winning new novel 'Kieron Smith, Boy' at an event organised today by the Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland at the Edinburgh Book Festival.
But the charity is pointing out that only around five per cent of books published in the UK ever make it into alternative formats.
Sponsored by City Building (Glasgow) LLP, RNIB Scotland is launching a braille and audio version of the novel at the Festival this afternoon.
James Kelman said: "I am absolutely delighted that RNIB Scotland has chosen to transcribe 'Kieron Smith, Boy', and I fully support their campaign to allow people with sight loss to take part in something as everyday as a shared enjoyment of literature."
Kelman has touched on the theme of sight loss in his previous work. In his Booker Prize-winning novel 'How Late It Was, How Late' the protagonist wakes up to find himself suddenly blind. His new novel is set in late 1950s Glasgow.
John Legg, director of RNIB Scotland, said: "It is a tremendous coup to have one of the most revered living Scottish authors to help launch two transcribed versions of his latest novel. Whether an author's words are seen, touched or heard, the skill and feeling conveyed in the story can still be enjoyed by all.
"But we also want to highlight the fact that in this, the bi-centenary of the birth of Louis Braille, only five per cent of published books ever make it into alternative formats such as braille or audio. That's a very small proportion - needlessly small, given the potential of today's new technology. We'd like to see many more books made available in accessible formats.
"It takes five days on average to record an RNIB 'talking book' and costs between £1,000 and £2,500. For example, we have only been able to produce these two versions of James Kelman's new novel thanks to sponsorship from the major Scottish construction company, City Building (Glasgow).
"But we are determined that Scottish authors should be available," said Legg. "'Kieron Smith, Boy' won Scotland's most prestigious literary award, the Saltire Society's Book of the Year, was nominated for the 2008 Man Booker Prize. At previous Edinburgh Book Festival events we been very lucky to have writers like Janice Galloway and AL Kennedy do readings of their work."
Willie Docherty, managing director of City Building (Glasgow) LLP, said: "We are very pleased to once more support RNIB Scotland in its campaign to make more books accessible to a wider readership. City Building manages Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi), which employs workers with sight loss and other disabilities, so we both recognise and are fully committed to equality of opportunity, in work and leisure."