The Forbidden Planet International Blog Log

In August 2007 the prestigious Edinburgh International Book Festival held its first ever events discussing graphic novels, with a major, hour-long discussion – entitled “Graphic Novels – Literature of Pulp Fiction” – held between three Scottish authors: British comics legend Alan Grant, bestselling crime novelist-turned comics scribe Denise Mina and the incredibly popular crime writer, lifelong comics fan (and soon to be comics writer) Ian Rankin, with Gregor Urquhart chairing. The discussion ranged from early influences, how the authors first got into comics writing, how different people perceive the genre and how that perception is changing.

(Denise Mina, Ian Rankin and Alan Grant at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August 2007)

It was extremely encouraging to see the genre treated so respectfully at one of the world’s major literary events and to see such a good turnout, with a packed audience of all ages in attendance. I posted an account of the event back here in the blog and am now delighted to say that the good folks at the EIBF have very kindly supplied us with a recording of the event to share with you. FPI would like to thank both the organisers of the EIBF and the participants for allowing us to post the recording of the event (copyright remains with the EIBF and participants); we hope you enjoy it.

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