William McIlvanney in conversation with Ian Rankin at Harrogate Crime Writer's Festival

William McIlvanney In Conversation with Ian Rankin

             At Harrogate Crime Writing Festival 2013                     

When Val McDermid introduced William McIlvanney she described him as 'the most charming man'... she could have added humble, funny, intelligent, philosophical, talented, charismatic... but we only had an hour.

Ian Rankin in conversation with William McIlvanney Harrogate 2013

 In many ways this conversation was the meeting of the Titans: Ian Rankin in the Edinburgh corner and Willie McIlvanney in the Glasgow corner and, for me, it was a privilege.  The atmosphere was relaxed, with plenty of  banter between the two and an obvious mutual respect.  Willie's sense of humour was evident in his many stories : from... meetings with Sean Connery in Edinburgh zoo ... to requests to read manuscripts in the pub.

William McIlvanney is amazed at the crowds who've come to see him at Harrogate 2013
 

William McIlvanney is the author of the Laidlaw trilogy set in Glasgow in the 1970's.  He classes it as historic crime fiction.  This year has seen the re- issue of these novels and they're selling like hot cakes - better grab your copies soon!Hailing originally from Kilmarnock William  studied English Literature at Glasgow University, he  went on to become a high school teacher in Glasgow and in his own words he adopted Glasgow.

Ian  mentioned how much the Laidlaw books had inspired him in his writing.  Many authors maintain that McIlvanney's work influenced their writing.  Willie's books were the first of their kind looking at the grittier side of Glasgow and telling it as it was.  Willie didn't read a lot of crime fiction and wasn't particularly looking to write a crime book but, referring to Laidlaw when 'he heard his abrasive voice he knew he was going to dark places'. 

Willie maintains that 'Shakespeare taught him how to be human' and so in his writing he believes in 'the sharing of the nature of our humanity.'  However, McIlvanney has no time for the snobbery of 'literary fiction'  and once told an ex lecturer, who disapproved of McIlvanneys success with crime novels, "If brains were food you'd have malnutrition."


Liz Mistry William McKilvanney, Jackie
 

When me and Jackie bumped into him in the bar later he graciously consented to have his photo taken with us and wanted to introduce us to his wife.  I think I'm in love!!