Peter Kravitz

Peter Kravitz is a figure in the Scottish literary scene. he was born in London, England, but has lived most of his life in Edinburgh. He is best known for editing Contemporary Scottish Fiction, which has been reprinted by both Picador and Faber, and was seminal in bringing new Scottish writers to a wider audience.

Between 1980 and 1990, Kravitz’s term as editor, Polygon, the former University of Edinburgh student imprint, came to lead the field in publishing new Scottish fiction, while his overlapping editorship of the Edinburgh Review, between 1984 and 1990, supplied a direct "feed" of fresh talent. During that time, he was influential in seeking ways of developing discussion between people involved in literature, politics and the visual arts, in Scotland and beyond.

When at Polygon, he tried to publish James Kelman's second novel, and requested a grant from the Scottish Arts Council. They refused, mainly on the basis of a complaint from Alick Buchanan-Smith, a Conservative MP, who complained about the "foul language" in Kelman's first novel.

In the late 1990s, he worked for Napier University, and he is now a psychotherapist and counsellor in Edinburgh. He still writes occasionally on Scottish literature.

External links

• Galloway archive: Guest essays