American author with local connection to give talk at library

American author David Anthony Durham is to give a talk at the library while visiting Shetland in late July.

David has a local connection, being the son-in-law of Shetland writer Laughton Johnston. He is married to Laughton and Patricia’s daughter Gudrun, a knitwear designer who runs the online blog The Shetland Trader.

David is the author of five novels including the Acacia fantasy trilogy and the historical epic Hannibal: pride of Carthage. His work has been published in the US and UK and translated into nine languages. Three of his novels have been optioned for development as feature films.

His first Acacia book won the 2009 John W Campbell Award for best new writer and he is currently working on the third book in the trilogy.

He has also published short stories in several anthologies, reviewed for The Washington Post and served as a judge for the Pen/Faulkner Awards. His interests include epic fantasy, historical fiction, science fiction, multi-cultural writers and African-American fiction.

David will be signing copies of his books, and they are also available to borrow from the library.

Councillor Gussie Angus said: “I’m pleased to see that Shetland Library continues to provide the public with access to well-known authors, especially when there is a local connection.”

The talk will take place on Thursday 29th July at 7pm, and entry is free.