Dundee Comics Creative Space and Literary Festival to host big names

Comic industry pros Dave Gibbons and Tanya Roberts, actor Nick Frost and 2013 Great British Bake Off winner Frances Quinn are just some of the stars set to appear between 21 and 25 October at locations across the city.
The DCCS event will run from Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 October. Photo: Literary Dundee.The DCCS event will run from Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 October. Photo: Literary Dundee.
The DCCS event will run from Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 October. Photo: Literary Dundee.

A slew of industry celebrities will be taking part in Dundee’s Literary Festival next week, with a behind-the-scenes preview of a new studio for comic book writers and artists one of the highlights for visitors.

The Dundee Comics Creative Space (DCCS), situated in the Vision Building, Greenmarket, will be officially opened in early 2016 but a series of special preview events will take place next week as part of this year’s Dundee Literary Festival.

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The DCCS scheme is a new studio project and social enterprise developed by the University of Dundee in collaboration with The Rank Foundation and the Dundee Place Partnership Scheme. Creative learning via comics is the aim, with the event’s co-ordinator David Herd adding that the much-anticipated Comics Creators’ Jam will be occurring at 6pm on the Wednesday evening.

Visitors on the opening day of the festival will be treated to an informal talk with comic book industry icons Dave Gibbons, Tanya Roberts, Norrie Millar and Letty Wilson.

Actor and writer Nick Frost will be discussing the personal journey recounted in his memoir Truths, Half Truths and Little White Lies, while 2013 winner of the Great British Bake Off Frances Quinn will be talking about her first cook book Quintessential Baking, both later on in the week.

Dr Chris Murray, DCCS Operations Director and a Senior Lecturer at the University said: “Having writers and artists of their stature here is inspirational for anyone who wishes to work in comics, and indeed anyone with a love of the genre. The point of DCCS is to help young comics enthusiasts to develop their skills and nurture the Dave Gibbons and Cam Kennedys of tomorrow.

“This is a really exciting development for Dundee and will help cement our place as the home of the British comic industry.”

Comic industry names will be on hand to discuss creative plans with visitors to the Dundee Comics Creative Space preview event. Photo: Literary Dundee.Comic industry names will be on hand to discuss creative plans with visitors to the Dundee Comics Creative Space preview event. Photo: Literary Dundee.
Comic industry names will be on hand to discuss creative plans with visitors to the Dundee Comics Creative Space preview event. Photo: Literary Dundee.

Peggy Hughes, Manager of the Dundee Literary Festival at the University of Dundee added: “The new Dundee Comics Creative Space is a wonderful addition to the work already being done by Chris Murray and his colleagues and students, and we’re thrilled that the festival will give people an opportunity to have a sneak peek of it, to try their hand at comics production, and to enjoy hearing from and meeting some of the most exciting forces working in comics today.”

The 2015 Dundee Literary Festival programme will see some 50 talks, readings, workshops and other events take place from Wednesday 21st to Sunday 25th October.

Famous writers and artists set to perform include Jackie Kay and Janice Galloway. Rab C Nesbitt star Gregor Fisher’s appearance coincides with the launch of his new book about his biological family, which he traced after finding out he was adopted.

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A series of events showcasing the freshest new voices in literature and workshops for aspiring writers will also be held at the Festival, which will also see the winner of the 2015 Dundee International Book prize announced.

More information on the comic activities in the lead-up to the event can be found by visiting Literary Dundee.