Joan Lingard, who has died aged 90, was a highly regarded writer of more than 60 books for both adults and children, and was best known for her Kevin and Sadie quintet of young adult books set in Belfast during the Troubles in the 1970s.
She was also an influential figure in the contemporary Scottish literature scene, having served as an active member of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish PEN, and been an instrumental member of the committee that fought to get the Edinburgh international book festival established. She also founded the group Scottish Writers Against the Bomb.
