Authors in Schools

Following, the passing of our Honorary President, Christine Findlay, BOOKMARK in partnership with the English Department at Blairgowrie High School set in motion a writing competition

The Christine Findlay Short Story Prize.

Over the years a number of students have taken part in writing short stories and students at the Art Department in the school have taken part in designing a cover for the booklet.

In 2021  Keira Doig was the winner with her short story Whistle for the Wind and the cover of the leaflet was designed by Olivia Van Hooft, a local Artist, Illustrator and Designer.  To read this story, please click here.  

In 2022 the competition continued  and Gail Wylie, BOOKMARK Chair, and the other judges had a very difficult task in choosing the winner - Mili Drover for her chilling tale Hillcrest Cottage.  The cover of the booklet was designed by Ocean Anton.To read Mili's story, please click here

In 2023 the judges commented that 'choosing an outright winner for this year's choice of stories proved to be vey difficult' but they chose Morag Strang who wrote Windows.  The booklet cover  was designed by Luci Donachie.  To read Luci's story, please click here

The author who won the Christine Findlay Prize in 2024 was Erin McWilliam for It's Just a Delusion. BOOKMARK encourages all of the writers to continue to tell their stories because, who knows, which one could be invited to a future Book Festival.  The cover this year was created by Rowan Wightman.  To read Erin's story, please click here

Every year BOOKMARK's Chair, Gail Wylie short lists a variety of books to take part in the BOOKMARK Book of the Year.  A number of different judges, including two local book groups, get to choose which one will win. It's always interesting to see who the winner will be because he/she will be invited to BOOKMARK Book Festival the following year to discuss their book and receive a wonderful bespoke book mark specially made by Blairgowrie's Sara Cave, Silversmith.  Every one of these books are donated to Blairgowrie High School Library for all the students to read.  Copies are also given to Blairgowrie Library.