Illicit Ink and Graphic Scotland: Tales from the Strip

Preview by Daniel Davies | 02 Jul 2013

1. So, who are you guys?
We started out as a bunch of graduates from Napier University’s creative writing course, wanting to do something very different from what was going on in Edinburgh. Basically, we wanted to play in the dark and pull the wings off fairies.

2. Your event is part of the 'Stripped' strand of Book Festival events. Are we reaching a golden age for comic books?
Heavens no. I think we are about to, but there's still a long way to go. The surface of what this medium is capable of has only just been scratched. It will be a golden age when a great graphic novel is no longer considered unusual and can sit alongside everything else without being relegated to a niche genre.

3. Your event is a collaboration with Graphic Scotland and will involve both aural and visual literature, how are you going to do this?
Emma Viecelli and Steven Collins, two great illustrators, are joining us on stage to draw as we read. The broad idea is that we challenge the illustrators to condense what they hear into a story that can be told in just a few panels. It will show us exactly what words and pictures can do, and how the narrative merits of each can create lovely tension.

4. One of Illicit Ink's greatest strengths is your belief in variation and versatility. What is your ethos for designing events?
We like to keep things as fresh and vibrant as possible, which is why our events are themed. Writers absolutely have to come up with something new every time, which creates a lovely unstable vibe. Anything could happen. Ultimately, all that matters to us is that we make the best possible show. And that we've all had a good chance to guddle about in the dark.

Guardian Spiegeltent, Sun 24 Aug, 9pm, free http://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/whats-on/jura-unbound-13