Peter Kravitz
Encyclopedia
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.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
literary scene. he was born in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, but has lived most of his life in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. He is best known for editing Contemporary Scottish Fiction, which has been reprinted by both Picador
Picador
A picador is one of the pair of horsemen in a Spanish bullfight that jab the bull with a lance. They perform in the tercio de varas which is the first of the three stages in a Spanish bullfight.The picador has three main functions:...
and Faber
Faber
- People with the surname Faber :* Basil Faber , Lutheran theologian* Lady Caroline Faber* Dave Faber, Lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Faber Drive* David Faber * David Faber , market news analyst...
, 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
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
student imprint, came to lead the field in publishing new Scottish fiction, while his overlapping editorship of the Edinburgh Review
Edinburgh Review
The Edinburgh Review, founded in 1802, was one of the most influential British magazines of the 19th century. It ceased publication in 1929. The magazine took its Latin motto judex damnatur ubi nocens absolvitur from Publilius Syrus.In 1984, the Scottish cultural magazine New 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
James Kelman
James Kelman is an influential writer of novels, short stories, plays and political essays. His novel A Disaffection was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction in 1989...
's second novel, and requested a grant from the Scottish Arts Council
Scottish Arts Council
The Scottish Arts Council is a Scottish public body that distributes funding from the Scottish Government, and is the leading national organisation for the funding, development and promotion of the arts in Scotland...
. They refused, mainly on the basis of a complaint from Alick Buchanan-Smith
Alick Buchanan-Smith
Alick Laidlaw Buchanan-Smith was a Scottish Conservative and Unionist politician.The second son of Alick Drummond Buchanan-Smith, Baron Balerno and Mary Kathleen Smith, he was educated at Edinburgh Academy, Glenalmond College, Pembroke College, Cambridge and University of Edinburgh...
, a Conservative MP, who complained about the "foul language" in Kelman's first novel.
In the late 1990s, he worked for Napier University
Napier University
Edinburgh Napier is one of the largest higher education institutions in Scotland with over 17,000 students, including nearly 5,000 international students, from more than 100 nations worldwide.-History:...
, and he is now a psychotherapist and counsellor in Edinburgh. He still writes occasionally on Scottish literature.