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Aug 2002 Index

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September 2002

Murray Watts From Freswick Launches New Children's Bible In Caithness

Murray Watts who lives at Freswick, Caithness has spent four years writing this latest children's bible for Lion Publishing well known for their many bibles aimed different age groups.  This latest bible is lavishly illustrated by Helen Cann targets the 8 - 12 years age group.  Murray dedicated the book to the children of Caithness whom he said had inspired much of his writing for the latest renditions of the stories.
 

Murray Watts  has carried his love of literature and the bible into his writing career that has covered many aspects of theatre, film and publishing.   He has previously developed scripts for various projects and his work on the Miracle Maker received tremendous acclaim from the millions of people who have read the book or seen the subsequent film of the book that is also available on video.

A passage in German, Dutch and English To give a flavour of its international appeal.

He has worked in the theatre and was a founder member of the Riding Lights Theatre Company.  Undoubtedly his experience in the theatre comes through in reading a passage from the new book for the audience.  His own reading followed the same passage being read in German and Dutch from other locals currently staying in Caithness to help illustrate the international nature of the whole project.  The book has already been translated into several languages and more are to follow.

From young to not so young attended the launch

Confidence in the book is extremely high and deserves to be as the writing is aimed specifically at its young target audience and the book flows with colour.   The retelling of the many stories familiar to many but seen afresh though new young eyes will mean it is likely to become a best seller very soon. 

 
Keiss school children Meet Murray Watts and see his writing desk

The unusual step of launching the new bible in Caithness far from the mainstream of publishing in Edinburgh or London was at Murray's own request.  His dedication at the front of the book to local children was earnestly meant and proven in his thanks to them at the launch in Mackays Hotel, Wick.

From start to finish the entire work has seen the hand of not just the author Murray Watts for four years but the eye of Helen Cann well known in Europe and America for her previous books for Lion.   The pictures leap out at you almost before each page has rested on its neighbour.   Both words and pictures have been lovingly labour over and are likely to draw a wide audience  - even we suspect many adults who wish to see the old stories in the easy flowing style of Murray Watts.    The style may appear easy but as the many drafts pinned on a long board showed they have taken many of the hours of the past four years.  Despite that Murray has managed to do other work and even now is getting into his next big project - a script for a screenplay of which we will no doubt hear more later................. 

This new Lion bible for children is available from D R Simpsons in Wick or from the publishers -
Lion Publishing or via the Caithness.org Book Shop