To self publish my novel Little Red Rowing Boat

Aim

I would appreciate your support in raising £2000, so that I can self publish my fictional novel based in the highland village of Killin.

• My name is Kirsty and I am a writer and poet. I write under the pseudonym of Eilidh G Clark. Some people might even know me as the "wee lassie fi the Reuse Shop," on the Main Street.  I moved to Killin in March, 2020, at the start of lock down and was totally inspired by this beautiful little village. Killin is steeped in history, from Clan rivalry to folklore. I fell in love with the loch, the rivers, the deer gathered on the viaduct on a misty morning. Hugged by mountains, and bordered by trees, this little village stands alone. But it's the people who make Killin. I fell in love with the traditions that the villagers have maintained over the years and I was inspired to use this as the setting for Little Red Rowing Boat. 

*Find out about rewards for donors at the bottom of the page.

The novel is set during lock down and is a tale of love, friendship, and family loyalty. Sometimes family feuds can last centurys. 

Excerpt from the prologue

 He struck the first match, and a hiss filled the silence. An orange flame swayed in the breeze, followed by a sharp sulphurous smell. Without blinking, he dropped the match and reached for another, a thrill of excitement rippling through him. Then boat by boat he struck and dropped, lighting the shoreline like a beacon, before dropping the last match into a pool of petrol at the foot of the steps. He watched the blue flame slither up the steps towards the wooden shed and as it reached the top, he turned the other way and ran. 

          The water was ice cold as he swam towards boat number nine. He clenched his teeth, dragging his legs behind him like wet rags. When he reached the boat, he grabbed the stern with shaking hands, and the boat rocked violently, but the lady in the yellow head scarf coaxed him silently with a smile, and he hauled himself on board.  Then as he shivered in his sodden clothes, she wrapped a blanket around him before picking up the heavy wooden oars and sinking them into the black water.   Behind them, a window exploded with a tremendous bang, followed by cracking and wheeling, snapping, and popping and flames rose high into the sky. And as the boat tore a line into the stillness of the loch, Joseph looked at his companion and saw flames in her eyes.

I aim to publish between 100 -150 copies of the novel and these sales will pay for a further print run.

Rewards

Every donor will be welcome to attend an exclusive book launch in Killin, with readings from the author, and signed copies on sale. 

Pledges over £100 will find themselves in a cameo role throughout the novel

Pledges between £75 and £100  will receive a mention, as a secondary character in the novel

Pledges over £50 will receive a mention in the acknowledgments

Pledges over £10 will receive a 10% discount on the novel and any other books that they wish to purchase.

Anonymous pledges and comedy names cannot be acknowledged, so please state your name when donating.  

This project successfully funded on 19th November 2024