A WEEK of literary events has been announced in the Borders as part of Book Week Scotland 2018.

Between November 19 and 25 the Scottish Book Trust is set to deliver hundreds of free events and activities, funded by Scottish Library and Information Council, throughout Scotland.

Crime writer Aline Templeton will visit Melrose Library on November 19 from 7pm to 8pm to talk about her journey from a six-year-old aspiring writer to the author of The Third Sin, the latest title in her popular Galloway-based crime fiction series.

Borders writer Jules Horne will visit Hawick Library on November 20 and 22 from 7.15pm to 8.15pm to present a spoken word performance of modern Border ballads and nanonovels in Scots and English.

She will be accompanied by stand-up cello and loop station and the performance will feature the Borders Heritage Festival Commission Three Border Songs and a touch of Borders Gothic.

Local writer Margaret Skea will give an illustrated presentation on her 1000-mile solo research trip to the former German Democratic Republic in search of Katharina von Bora - the nun who became the wife of the controversial reformer Martin Luther.

Margaret will also discuss her award-winning book that was a result of this search, Katharina: Deliverance, at the event at Galashiels Library on November 22 from 2.30pm and 3.30pm.

Writers interested in self-publishing are being encouraged to attend CABN Indie Author Gathering on November 24, 11am - 2pm, at Galashiels Library.

Promising an insight into the world of self-publishing, the event will provide an opportunity to meet like-minded writers, show and sell books, share information, and learn from other authors' experiences.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “As a life-long and avid reader, I know that there’s no greater pleasure than losing yourself in the magic of a book.

“That’s why I welcome this fantastic launch of 2018 Book Week Scotland programme, a flagship event of Scotland’s culture sector celebrating books, reading and Scotland’s rich literary history and dedicated this year to exploring the theme of ‘Rebel’.”

The seventh national celebration of books and reading was launched in Edinburgh where drag queen and Book Week Scotland ambassador, Nancy Clench, and bestselling author Claire Askew, posed with copies of the Rebel book, which features a story from Nancy, as well as others submitted from the public.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “We’re delighted to present another packed programme for Book Week Scotland, our national celebration of reading and writing.

“After listening to feedback, Scottish Book Trust is pleased to make 100,000 copies of the Rebel book available to the public.

“Many thanks to our partners and funders for making this programme possible, and we hope everyone joins us for Book Week Scotland, whether at a physical event, or by taking part in our Digital Festival.”

Erin McElhinney, Literature Officer, Creative Scotland, commented: “Scottish Book Trust have produced a programme that offers a whole host of routes into reading and writing, offering a cause to the rebel in all of us.

“It’s a week to celebrate new partnerships and connections, between organisations and the public, between digital and the book – and an invitation to challenge our own boundaries around reading.”

For information on events visit https://bookweekscotlandevents.com