We’re looking for five reading groups based in Scotland to read and review Sal, Mick Kitson’s debut novel. Two groups will also receive the opportunity for an author visit with Mick to discuss the book in person. Told by one of 2018’s most distinctive, powerful protagonists, and set against the backdrop of rural Scotland, this is a wonderful opportunity for reading groups to share their thoughts on a lead debut pre-publication.
Successful reading groups are asked to complete their feedback cards to be returned to us and share their thoughts on Twitter and Facebook, including @readingagency, @canongatebooks and #SAL in their posts. Once we’ve received your feedback, two lucky groups will also receive an author visit from Mick to discuss the book in person.
About the book
This is a story of something like survival.
Sal planned it for almost a year before they ran. She nicked an Ordnance Survey map from the school library. She bought a compass, a Bear Grylls knife, waterproofs and a first aid kit from Amazon using credit cards she’d robbed. She read the SAS Survival Handbook and watched loads of Youtube videos.
And now Sal knows a lot of stuff. Like how to build a shelter and start a fire. How to estimate distances, snare rabbits and shoot an airgun. And how to protect her sister, Peppa. Because Peppa is ten, which is how old Sal was when Robert started on her.
Told in Sal’s distinctive voice, and filled with the silent, dizzying beauty of rural Scotland, Sal is a disturbing, uplifting story of survival, of the kindness of strangers, and the irrepressible power of sisterly love; a love that can lead us to do extraordinary and unimaginable things.
About the author
Mick Kitson was born in South Wales, and studied English at university before launching the prolific 80s pop band, The Senators, with his brother Jim. He worked as a journalist for several years, then went on to become an English Teacher. Mick lives in Fife, Scotland with his wife Jill and bad tempered dog Lucy. He has three grown up children, and spends more time than is good for him fly fishing for sea trout, reading, playing the banjo and growing strawberries. He also builds boats. Sal is his first novel.
Closing date: 21 August
