One of the strengths of Scotland is its diversity of language, from Scottish English (you know, where outwith is a word), to Gaelic, from dialects to Doric. Indeed, the range of Scotland's languages is a part of our very identity.

BooksfromScotland.com has always tried to reflect this diversity - not just in the range of books we feature, but also in the articles and features on our site. We've long had articles on Gaelic books and publishing, but until now our Scots coverage has been lacking.

We asked Prof. Derrick McClure, of the University of Aberdeen, to write a series of articles for us on Scots language and literature. In his first piece, he explores the history of Scots - and asks, When Did Scots Become Scots?.

Calling all aspiring poets! We are delighted to offer a new Poetry Workshop service this year with the help of award-winning poet and Poetry School tutor Kona Macphee.

Every month BooksfromScotland.com will select one unpublished poem, which Kona will read and critique. The poem, along with Kona’s constructive feedback and suggestions for development, will be published on the site.

Please send us your poems by Monday 2nd March 2009 for the first workshop.
Have a look on the website for more about Kona, as well as terms and conditions of entering.

To celebrate Robert Burns' 250th anniversary, BooksfromScotland.com has five copies of Ian Rankin's The Poems of Robert Burns to give away. This new collection from Penguin includes over fifty of Rankin’s favourite Burns’ poems, some well known, others less so, and a new introduction to the Bard’s life and works.

Simply email us (editor@booksfromscotland.com) or send us a message with the answer to the following question – don’t forget to include your contact details!

In one of his most famous poems, Robert Burns wrote ‘My heart’s in the Highlands’; but what was it doing?

A-chasing the deer

A-chasing the lassies

Admiring the view

Clue: the answer can be found on BooksfromScotland.com...

The closing date is Friday 20th February 2009.

In 2009, Scotland will host its first ever Homecoming year which has been created and timed to mark the 250th anniversary of Scotland’s national poet, the international cultural icon Robert Burns. From Burns Night to St Andrew’s Day 2009 a country-wide programme of over 200 exciting Homecoming events and activities will celebrate some of Scotland's great contributions to the world, including Burns himself, Whisky, Golf, Great Scottish Minds and Innovations, and Scotland’s rich culture and heritage which lives on at home and through the global Scottish family.

BooksfromScotland.com are proud supporters of Homecoming Scotland and will be featuring here each month exclusive articles, interviews, competitions and reading guides on the Homecoming themes to bring you the best in Scottish writing and culture. Check out our special Homecoming pages - we're kicking of the celebrations with a series of features on Scotland's national bard, Rabbie Burns

In 2007, Scottish publishers Waverley Books produced a graphic novel of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped, adapted by world-famous comic book veterans Alan Grant and Cam Kennedy. The book was an instant best-seller and Waverley Books have now produced a beautiful two-volume slipcase edition of this epic story of adventure, friendship, murder and revenge

Volume 1 is a new hardback edition of the Kidnapped Graphic Novel while Volume 2 is a new book specially commissioned for this set – Creating The Graphic Novel - which includes pencil drawings, preparatory sketches and other never-before-seen material. The book illustrates the entire process of the creation of the graphic novel with interviews and commentary from Alan Grant and Cam Kennedy.

This desirable collector’s edition is available exclusively from BooksfromScotland.com. It is the ideal purchase for book collectors, for fans of Robert Louis Stevenson or Alan and Cam. For full details of binding, numbering and contents see the listing here.

Maw Broon's But An' Ben Cookbook

She’s back! Following on from last year’s runaway bestseller, Maw Broon’s Cookbook, the Gourmande of Glebe Street returns with a collection of new – but traditional – Scottish recipes from her But An’ Ben cookbook.

After her run-in last Christmas with the ‘diet police’, Maw is keen to emphasise her ‘everything in moderation’ policy. The new book is packed with wholesome, nutritious meals, with enough tips on eating organically, growing your own and using the great outdoors to keep even Jamie Oliver happy – and Maw is actually outselling Jamie in Scotland…

Have a look at our sample recipes, and see what the Daily Mail had to say about our ‘Second Helping’ of Maw…

The But An’ Ben Cookbook is as beautifully produced as the first, bursting with great ideas - and at only £9.95, Maw’s thriftiness is not limited to her cooking!

Just a quick note to introduce a new regular blog on BooksfromScotland.com. Members of the Society of Authors in Scotland will be writing for BooksfromScotland.com on subjects which interest them - from book sales and royalties, to bookshops and the joys of writing.

In our first blog, SoAiS Chair Nicola Morgan explains What's wrong with age-banding on Children's books.

Stona Fitch is an American author now living in Edinburgh. Writer Ray Banks interviewed Stona about his novel Senseless, which has just been published in the UK. Senseless was first published in the US just days after 9/11 and his haunting story - about the kidnap and torture of an American businessman - has now been made into a film by Simon Hynd. Senseless is published by Scottish publishers Two Ravens Press.

Read the full interview with Stona Fitch now.