Kelman signs up for Breathing Space book

'Open up a book when you're feeling down' campaign

A QUARTET of Scotland's top writers has agreed to pen short stories to mark Breathing Space Day 2010.

Booker prize winner James Kelman, novelist and screenwriter William Boyd, poet Jackie Kay and crime writer Denise Mina plan to provide a story for a Breathing Space book to be distributed free in The Herald newspaper next year.

The theme of Breathing Space Day on February 1 is 'Open a book when you're feeling down' and to help promote the importance of reading and writing for mental wellbeing we've called upon some of Scotland's most famous literary names.

Stephen Anderson, Breathing Space operations manager, said: "We're delighted writers of such renown and calibre have agreed to write a story for Breathing Space.

"Many of James Kelman's characters struggle with alienation and isolation and this is a feeling people experiencing depression or anxiety might well recognise.

"Reading or writing are both means to give someone a break from whatever may be causing difficulties in their lives and they can also be really effective tools to aid recovery from mental ill health."