The Bookseller.com

1st December 2008

Birlinn leaves Publishing Scotland

07.05.08

Birlinn, one of Scotland's biggest publishing companies, has split from the nation's main publishing body, questioning its existence and describing its funding by the arts council as a "disgrace", reports the Herald.

Birlinn, which publishes 150 new books a year - including works by James Kelman, Alexander McCall Smith, Lewis Grassic Gibbon, Sorley MacLean and Hamish Henderson - has withdrawn from its membership of Publishing Scotland in protest at the £260,000 grant the body has received from the Scottish Arts Council (SAC).

Hugh Andrew, chief executive of the Birlinn/Polygon group, said he is dismayed not only with the grant given to Publishing Scotland but the SAC's suspension of funds to Scottish publishers.

Andrew also questioned the worth of its booksfromscotland.com website, which sells books online, and asked why a trade association should receive public funds.

Herald

Birlinn Scotland Home Scottish Arts Council

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