Mailbox

LIT CRIT

We. as professional writers in Scotland. wish to express serious concern about the seemingly imminent takeover of the booksellers Ottakar's by Waterstonc-‘s. which is in turn owned by the HIvIV Group.

It is not necessarily that we favour a particular corporate chain over another. but instead worry about the monopoly over booksellrng which a single company will be able to enjoy. Waterstone's has argued that its total market share will be 23.5“; but this includes internet retailing. as well as airports. supermarkets and newsagents. which tend to stock only large quantities of bestselling titles. Waterstone's' actual control of specialist bookselling will be a staggering 135:5:

With that kind of dominance over the market. Waterstone's can force publishers into huge trade discounts. ‘NITICII smaller publishers can iIl afford as it is. and with so much at stake. publisher's may well take fewer risks on more challenging material and produce yet more celebrity biographies and TV tie-ins. \‘i/atm'stone‘s’ central ordering system will further ensure that more and more bookshoi 5; stock the same. dis/rndling range of (generally best sellingi titles. For the majority of shoppers it will simply be a matter of Waterstone's - and them alone

deciding what they read. There will be even more subsequent pressure placed on writers to del:ver (and writer conunercrally or not at all. This takeover. then. ‘.'/|II not only limit cnorce for readers. but could haze a highly detrimental effect on Scotland’s vrbrant literary culture.

Julie Bertagna, Alan Bissett, Nick Brooks, Ron

What you Opening Night, Gig! Lothian Road, Edinburgh, Fri 7 Oct

Lydia

2 THE LIST 1%; ()(:t r-; (or l’fi‘f):')

Property developer

It works really well as a venue. although it’ll take a lot to get over the stigma of being the old Revolution.

The List,

Butlin, Regi Claire, Sophie Cooke, Linda Cracknell, Julia Donaldson, Anne Donovan, Margaret Elphinstone, Matthew Fitt, Cathy Forde, Janice Galloway, Magi Gibson, Keith Gray, Rodge Glass, Jan Henderson, Laura Hird, AL Kennedy, Elizabeth Laird, Gerry Loose, Kevin MacNeil, Catherine MacPhail, Laura Marney, Richard Mason, Alison Miller, Nicola Morgan, Ewan Morrison, Liz Niven, Colette Paul, Stephen Potts, Tom Pow, Alison Prince, Frank Rodgers, Suhayl Saadi, Ali Smith, Zoe Strachan, Aline Templeton, Valerie Thornton, Louise Welsh.

NIP AND TUCK

Pete Docherty. put away your sweaty fat boy nips! Your music doesn't Justify your excessive media coverage. Claud

Leith

ROBOTICKETS

After spending over 1:”) minutes on the phone to a cinema helpline this week. I neither felt helped nor in the mood for the cinema. Why can't we talk to actual human berngs rather than being shunted about from one system to another? In the end I was so thrilled to hear a person's voice that the woman on the other line thought I was havrng some sort of fit. Damn you. sinarmy info lines; bring human contact back! Gemma Parkinson

By email

RAVE ON

I loved Neil Cooper's agenda piece in the last issue. Quite right too . . .

Laura Cameron Lewis

By email

14 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TE

or The List at the CCA

350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JD or email editor@list.co.uk

JOHN HIGGINS

Very sad news reached us this week that John Higgins had been drowned in a tragic accident while swimming in the Red Sea. John joined the staff of The List in 1989 and quickly came to play a leading role in the life of the magazine. Always full of engery and laughter, it was John who made sure no opportunity for a celebration was missed. Among many other innovations and escapades, he took charge of The List Festival party and made it into the hottest ticket in town. John went on to work

EDINBURGH: THE NEW MILTON KEYNES? While Edinburgh may pride Itself on being a festival city with a Wide range of cultural activities to offer the Visitor. its nightlife is in grave danger of becoming a sterile. characterless sea of identikit chain pubs and mainstream super-clubs if the local authority does not stand up for venues such as Studio 24 and the Venue against the big-money housing developers. Both these clubs. as the police \.‘V|II admit. are frequented largely by

up everywhere.

‘Crawford Baptie’ Edinl )urgh

peaceful followers of underground rnusrc scenes who create far less of the said disruption and noise that the developers and residents seem concerned about than the clientele of the alcohol~focused multiplex venues which seem to be popping

Furthermore. the local authority must remember that the diversity and richness of Edinl'uirgh's cultural entertainment is a primary reason for attracting such money into the crty. If this is not valued as such then Edinburgh could easily turn into Milton Keynes after dusk. Just as football clubs target the corporate sector. pricing out the hardcore fans who make it an attractive occasion in the first place. Edinburgh must be wary not to neglect its underground music scenes in bending over backwards for new money. as it runs the risk of marginalising what is a key factor in the city's attraction.

THE LETTER OF THE ISSUE WILL RECEIVE TWO BOTTLES OF

THE TAWNY

Distinctively Grahams. Definitiver ‘The Tawriy'

for the Council, the Fringe and the Festival before moving to Antibes. Wherever he was, John made things happen and gathered round him a wide circle of friends, helping us all enjoy the best that life has to offer. We send our deep sympathy to his family.

GRAHAM'S

W1

Olaf

Band manager

I saw Killing Joke play the scariest gig ever here, then they turned it into a horrible schemie disco. It's good to have it back.

Jenny

Art student

There’s a lot of potential. I imagine it'd be great it it was full. Loved the decor too. but that's because I found it funny being in Revolution.

GLASGOW AND EDINBURGH

EVENTS GUIDE

CONTRIBUTORS Publisher & General Editor Robin Hodge

EDITORIAL

Editor Nick Barley

Deputy Editor Brian Donaldson Assistant Editors

Mark Robertson. Paul Dale Subeditor Ashley Davres Research Manager Julie Graham

Research Henry Northmore (Film. Rock 8 Jazz) Ruth Hedges (Art) Rachael Street (Theatre. Dance. Comedy 8 Sport). Morag Bruce (Around Town. Classical. Folk 8 Kids)

SALES & MARKETING Advertising Sales Manager Rachel Shields

Senior Media Sales Executives

Carol Ferguson

Brigid Kennedy

Richie Meldrum

Media Sales Support Sharon Stephen Promotions Manager Sheri Frrers Promotions Assistant Gemma Beard Circulation Manager Neil Earnsha'ri Circulation Executive Keith Benzre

Special Projects Amanda Mungall

PRODUCTION Art Director

Krista Robertson Production Manager Simon Armin Designer lucy Reeves Production Assistant Russell Steedman

ADMINISTRATION Accounts Manager Georgette Rem-rick Accounts Assistant Manager Donna Taylor

Reception

Tracey Fisher

Edinburgh Office Manager Katie Scott

Glasgow Office Manager Katharine Haslett

SECTION EDITORS Around Town Morag Bruce Books Brian Donaldson Clubs Henry Northmore (With Sandra Marron) Comedy Brian Donaldson Comics Paul Dale

Dance Kelly Apter

Eat 8 Drink Barry Shelby Film Paul Dale

Gay Ronin Iee

Kids Kelly Apter

Music Mark Robertson

IWIIII Norman Chalmers Carol Main. Kenny '.tatliies(iri Trona Shepherd)

News Allan Radcliffe

Play Henry Northmore

IWIIII Iain Davrdsoni

Shop Katy McAulay Television Brian DonaldsOn Theatre Steve Cramer Travel Rachael Street Visual Art Alemnder Kennedy