Stuart Syme and Moira Foster
Can you begin by telling us a little bit about your blurb-writing competition?
We think this is a very exciting competition for our S1 pupils. We are not aware of anything like this happening anywhere else and it has certainly fired the imagination of our young people. The challenge is to write the blurb for a book that doesn't exist but which the pupil would like to see in print. The blurb can be about anything and it doesn't need to be really well written. This is about capturing concepts and ideas rather than a traditional writing competition. We felt some people wouldn't be motivated by the thought of producing a long piece of text but most would feel they could manage a short snappy piece.
Once we had the idea of what we wanted we next had to think of what would make a good prize. The most amazing prize we could think of was the book of the blurb being written by a well known author and published by a well known publisher. We took the idea to Barrington Stoke at their Edinburgh office knowing it was a big ask. However, we were delighted by their enthusiastic response and left their office full of optimism knowing they were on board. When they contacted us a few days later to say they had Cathy MacPhail to write the book, we couldn't believe our luck as we are both huge fans!
What was the inspiration behind the project?
Four years ago we set up the Dundee City of Discovery Picture Book Award. This has been very popular with P6 and P1 pupils, and with the teachers in our primary schools. We wanted to do something biggish in the secondary sector that was educational and fun. As with the Picture Book Awards, it was important that the work involved had a number of learning outcomes and that the idea would appeal to teachers as well as pupils. Moira's son Cameron came up with the initial concept over a hot curry and we finalised the idea over a bowl of cold soup on the Royal Mile after attending the first Royal Mail Book Awards. The soup probably started out hot but we were so taken with the idea that it was cold by the time we came to try it.
What has the response been like from schools so far?
Absolutely overwhelming. To begin with, when we first put the idea to the Principal Teachers of English at a meeting some of them were so taken with the idea they wanted to take part themselves. We have spoken to all of the pupils involved about the competition (over 1,500). There comes a point in the explanation of the competition where a silence descends as each pupil realises a) they have a chance of winning b) we are not asking for a huge piece of writing c) it is the idea we are after and d) that Cathy MacPhail will write the book of their idea. Some schools have informed us that they found the project so worthwhile they are going to embed it in their S1 curriculum.
Has the standard of entries surprised you?
Definitely, there are some real crackers. It is not going to be easy choosing a winner. There are some fabulous ideas coming in thick and fast. There are entries that are put together so well you can almost imagine the book jacket. Others aren't necessarily so well written but the idea comes through really strongly. The response and quality of the entries has exceeded all of our expectations.
What does Catherine MacPhail bring to the project and how have you found working with her?
First of all is Cathy's sheer professionalism. We have had her in all of our secondary schools to talk to pupils taking part in the competition and the way they respond to what she says is just wonderful to see. She really is inspiring. She is also lovely. Her down to earth manner and straightforward approach really hits the spot with young people and adults. When she talks about the background to Run, Zan, Run you could hear a pin drop in the hall or classroom.
We want to adopt her as our aunty.
Was there a reason behind choosing Barrington Stoke to publish the winning blurb and book?
Yes! First of all we are enthusiastic about their books. We knew they reached the parts that other publishers cannot when it comes to universal appeal with young people. It was paramount for us that this competition was completely inclusive and involved non-readers, reluctant readers and avid readers alike. Also, we were aware that BS use children as reviewers and have their finger on the pulse re the need for high interest material produced in an accessible and attractive format. They manage to do this without compromising on quality of writing and have a wonderful pool of authors.
When did you start working for Dundee City Council and how did you get involved with the Library Service?
Stuart: I came to Dundee in 1980 from Stirling where I had been working as a school librarian. I started working for Dundee City Council as Librarian in Charge of Youth Services. I then ran the City's branch libraries and then moved to take over the School Library Service which is where I remain because that's what I like to do and where I like to be.
Moira: I first worked for Dundee City Council as a school librarian in 1998. Prior to this I worked in the library of Dundee University. I moved from being a school librarian to join the Educational Development Service as Learning Resources Co-ordinator in 2000. My job has changed a bit since then and so has my title which is now Education Support Officer, Learning Resources, so I always need a really big name badge at conferences.
Although we work for different departments (Stuart, Leisure and Communities; Moira, Education) the overlap means that we work very closely and are involved in many partnership initiatives.
What do you like most about your job?
Stuart: The thing I like most is being allowed the freedom to come up with ideas and develop them. This means that my manager trusts me and allows me to run with things knowing that I am not spending my time drinking coffee in Waterstones or Borders but that I am getting on with what I'm paid to do. I also like working with Moira. We are both prepared to work really hard on projects but we always enjoy a good laugh along the way. Both of us like to cut to the chase when we are working and get on with things. We don't like to get bogged down or sidetracked in things that take away from what we are trying to achieve. That said, we have been spotted now and again drinking coffee in Waterstones or Borders while we plot our next move.
Moira: I love being able to promote things that I feel passionate about - books and reading. The projects we've developed seem to be popular and the positive feedback is a real motivator. Working with Stuart is fab! We do work really hard, in fact Stuart gave up a week's holiday when we were in the midst of Time Tram Dundee. It's that level of commitment that ensures we achieve our aims. We really like to have things well planned, with a set of identified outcomes that are achievable, then we just get our heids doon and batter on! I also enjoy the freedom to think creatively and then turn ideas into something that benefits the young people of Dundee. They are the reason we do what we do and it is incredibly important to us that whatever we devise is as inclusive as possible. I deny the allegation that I have been seen drinking coffee in book shops and it is utterly untrue that there was once so much caffeine in my system that I had difficulty operating the clutch in my car due to the shakes in my leg.
What were your three favourite books as a child?
Stuart: The Wind in the Willows was an early favourite of mine though I have to say I hadn't a clue what the chapter with Pan was about. I have to mention Enid Blyton of course. The Famous Five books really got me into reading. A little later I loved the Jim Starling and the Last Apple Gang stories by E. W. Hildick. These were stories about real boys in real back yards doing things real boys did. There were never any lashings of ginger beer.
Moira: One of the first books I remember reading by myself was the first Milly Molly Mandy. Even although it was really old fashioned and it was a second-hand copy I just thought it was great. I loved the map at the beginning of the book which allowed you to trace where MMM went in each story. I still have my copy of MMM and wouldn't part with it. I was also a huge fan of Rupert Bear, both the stories and the illustrations just transported me right into the adventures. There was something very exotic about the world Rupert lived in which appealed to me. Of course, I am a very exotic kind of gal. The first book to make me cry was To Kill A Mocking Bird. This was very strange for me as I wasn't really a very weepy sort of child but that book just struck a cord.
What are your three favourite children's books now?
Stuart: That is a difficult one to answer. Philip Pullman's Northern Lights for one. I also really enjoy John Gordon's writing. He is very much undervalued in my opinion. I particularly enjoyed The House on the Brink. I think the way he handles the growing friendship between a boy and a girl is beautifully done. Third I would have to choose a book by Jan Mark. I am her greatest fan. The Eclipse of the Century is just fabulous.
Moira: I think it is great that this is a difficult question because it means there are so many brilliant books for young people it is hard to choose between them. Like Stuart, I have to have Northern Lights in my top 3. I haven't been able to bring myself to see the film The Golden Compass because I don't want to shatter my interpretation of this great book. Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn was a fabulous read. While the story was unusual and exciting it was the beautiful writing which really captured me. My last choice is Martyn Pig by Kevin Brooks. This appealed to my dark sense of humour. You wouldn't think there would be much to laugh about when a young boy accidentally kills his father but Brooks manages to combine humour with tragedy incredibly well.
Do you think it is important for teenagers to continue reading and writing outside of the school environment?
We are predominately involved in the promotion of reading and think this is just as important for teenagers as it is for emergent readers. Books are the only medium where the reader is in control of how the text is represented in their head. All other formats have ready made images and soundtracks. They offer a unique form of entertainment.
In addition, reading provides opportunities to have an insight into a whole range of experiences and issues which help young people to make sense of their lives and the world around them. Being a teenager can be a traumatic time as well as very exciting, and reading is a way to find out about different approaches to situations from a variety of perspectives.
Teenagers should most definitely read outside school, this allows them to choose what they want to read rather than texts they have to read in class which we know can be outdated and irrelevant. Buying or borrowing the book you want to read is far more conducive to you enjoying it.
As to writing, we know a lot of young people are not motivated to produce large pieces of text while others thoroughly enjoy the process. We would say, if you enjoy it then go for it, if you find it difficult, do the best you can but don't let it worry you.
What other projects have you pioneered in Dundee?
In 2006 Time Tram Dundee was published. This is a history of Dundee which is accessible and fun and aimed at young people. It came about because we and a colleague, Lynn Moy, were bemoaning the fact that there was a lack of local history information aimed at children. There was plenty of information but it was often quite dry, academic and unattractive to young people. We decided to apply for Heritage Lottery Funding to enable us to produce a high quality, professionally produced, attractive publication. We quickly discovered that a few bullet points on a piece of A4 were not going to convince HLF that we deserved the money. Two years later we had the bid ready and sent it in for their consideration. Bless 'em, they gave us £50,000 to make our dreams come true. The money allowed us to commission Matthew Fitt to write the book and Keith Robson to illustrate it. We got Jacqueline Wilson to say a few words for the book jacket and after a further two years of angst, anguish and gnashing of teeth the book was published by Waverley (thanks for all the help Ron). It has sold very well; in fact it is now in its third print run. The money we make from sales won't buy us the luxury yacht we would like but instead is used to promote heritage to children in Dundee.
Some of the proceeds were used to fund a re-enactment of the Battle of Camperdown in the grounds of Camperdown House in Dundee by primary 5 pupils from three primary schools - just don't ask!!
For four years now we have organised and delivered the Dundee City of Discovery Picture Book Award. This involves P6 pupils across the city really getting to know four short-listed picture book titles. They talk about them in class, champion them and read them to pupils in P1. They then organise a vote for themselves and the P1s to find out their school's favourite. A display featuring the books is also exhibited in their local library. There are also ICT opportunities imbedded in the project. The votes from across the city are gathered and counted and the winning title is announced at the Award Ceremony to which all the P6s are invited and the authors and illustrators of the books are present. The Ceremony is hosted by some of the P6 pupils and the Lord Provost presents the prizes of £1,000 for the winning title and £250 for each of the runners up. This year's Ceremony will take place in the Whitehall Theatre on Tuesday 17th June.
This year we helped to develop a pilot for a science based literature project as part of the Dundee Literature Festival. This is a partnership project with Sensation, our interactive science facility, the University of Dundee, and our two departments. Three P5 classes are involved and they have to read Gill Arbuthnott's Crazy Creatures, carry out a number of science related activities in class, make DNA necklaces with help from Sensation outreach staff, and visit the Sensation science centre for a tour and a meet the author session with Gill Arbuthnott. Sponsorship for the project has come from Starbucks. We hope to develop this further in the future.
Plans are afoot for a celebration of reading in Dundee in September 2009. This is in its early days but we hope to make a splash and promote the many reading initiatives that are going on in our schools and libraries across the city. Not just the high profile events but all the other smaller things that are ongoing and require dedicated staff to ensure their continued delivery. There is a lot going on out there and we would like to see all the effort of all those involved and the impact of what they do recognised.
Next week we'll have a new interview with Cathy MacPhail talking about the job she'll have when the winner of the blurb-writing competition is chosen!
If you are interested in finding out more about any of the projects discussed in this interview, contact Stuart Syme at stuart.syme@dundeecity.gov.uk
