The Citizen, 7 May 2004

‘Far From Home’ is the title of a collection of poetry by Kingsbarns woman Deborah Moffatt.

The collection, which is her first, was published recently by Lapwing, a Belfast poetry press.

Many of the poems in the collection have been published previously in a variety of periodicals, including The New Statesman, Oasis, Cencrastus, and Fortnight. The poems, “set sometimes in North America, often bring to mind the Scottish writer Lewis Grassic Gibbon, who so powerfully portrayed life beyond the city,” writes Richard Montgomery, of the collection.

Although she lives in Kingsbarns, Deborah, herself is “far from home”, having been born and raised in Vermont, in the United States.

She has lived in Fife for nearly 20 years, however, residing for in Auchtermuchty for 10 years before moving to her current home in 1993.

As well as poetry, Deborah writes fiction, and her stories have appeared in many periodicals, including ‘Cosmopolitan’, ‘Company’, and the now defunct ‘The Listener, as well as in anthologies from Faber, Bloomsbury, Virago and HarperCollins. In 1986 she was awarded a Scottish Arts Council Bursary of £5000.

She is known locally for her musical activities, as well as her writing, playing fiddle and flute in local pub sessions and as a member of the Kilrymont Accordion Band.

Lapwing Press has published many of Ireland’s best known poets, including James Simmons, Padraig Fiacc, Robert Greacan, Desmond O’Grady and Mary O’Donnell. Forthcoming publications include a new collection from Irish poet Rody Gorman, who lives in Scotland and writes in both Irish and Scottish Gaelic, as well as in English.

Far From Home is available from local booksellers or directly from the publisher (Lapwing Publications, 1 Ballysillan Drive, Belfast BT14 8HQ).