THREE top-selling Ayrshire authors - including former Chronicle editor Douglas Skelton - gave a fascinating insight into their craft at a special event, writes Stewart McConnell.

A Readers’ Afternoon was staged and taking part were Douglas, fellow East Ayrshire author Pat Young - a native of Auchinleck - and Ayr writer Michael J Malone.

They each spoke for half-an-hour about their road to publication and the books they had written.

There was then a cream tea served followed by a question and answer session which certainly got people thinking.

Douglas said: “The audience were very knowledgeable and had some great questions about books and we had some writers there and people who wanted to write asking questions.

“It was thoroughly enjoyable.

“In terms of writing for me I can’t explain where it comes from, it just happens.

“The Troon Library staff did a great job in pulling it together and they were were there on the Sunday afternoon. It’s a nice library and we hope to be there again soon.

“The event was a sell-out and was a great event.

“People should go along and support events like this as they need as much support as we can possibly give them.

“They are being made more of a hub and that’s the way to do it.”

Douglas Skelton’s books include Glasgow’s Black Heart - A City’s Life of Crime and Devil’s Knock.

Pat has penned Till the Dust Settles and I know Where You Live and Michael’s works include A Suitable Lie and Bad Samaritan.

Around 50 people from across the community turned out for the three-hour event, held at Troon library.

All three authors have been involved in book launches in Ayrshire.