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sessions on recent football writing in Scotland (6pm & 7.30pm), and a Gutter magazine showcase of Scottish writers Doug Johnstone and Elaine di Rollo (7.30pm). Edinburgh The School of Poets Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 7pm. £2 for a taster session; annual membership £10 (£5). Monthly workshop-type poetry session aiming to encourage and develop writing skills. Beginners and more experienced writers are equally welcome. You can attend any session as a taster, and if you like it, join up for the year.
Wednesday 9
Glasgow ✽✽ Aye Write! Mitchell Library, North Street, 353 8000. Times vary. Prices vary. Among other events, Dorian Lynskey discusses his history of protest music (6pm; see review, page 45), Sarah Brown talks of life Behind the Black Door – of Number 10, that is – (6pm), and Stuart Kelly muses on the persistent legacy of Sir Walter Scott (7.30pm).
Edinburgh FREE Discovering Family History at NLS National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. 6pm. NLS reveals geneaology research techniques in this practical workshop. Includes a short tour of the library. Booking essential. Café Voices: Life in Stories and Art Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 7pm. £4. A relaxed evening of storytelling, poetry and song organised by the Connecting Voices project. This time around, it’s hosted by Mary Kenny and focuses on her exhibition About Face. Poetry Association of Scotland: Kona McPhee & Andy Jackson
Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 7.30pm. £5 (£3). The two very original young Scotland-based poets are up for discussion.
Thursday 10
Glasgow Aye Write! Mitchell Library, North Street, 353 8000. Times vary. Prices vary. Brooke Magnanti (better known to most as Belle de Jour) reflects on the ethics of online identities in the age of digital social media (6pm); Niall Ferguson examines the West’s shaky position as world leader (6pm); Rodge Glass discusses his first graphic novel (6pm); St Mungo’s Mirrorball presents a special festival edition of the regular open mic session (7.30pm); and you can round off the day by taking on an elite squad of highly trained librarians in the big Aye Write! ‘Literally Quizzical’ book quiz (8pm). Edinburgh Nothing But . . . Poems by Seamus Heaney Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 6–7.30pm. £5 (£3). Relaxed poetry group focusing on the poems of Seamus Heaney. No previous knowledge required. FREE Readeasy Writers’ Group The Forest Café, 3 Bristo Place, 220 4538. 6–9pm. A fun, welcoming and constructive environment in which to try out new writing in front of a friendly audience of fellow writers. Email your piece (max 500 words) to inkyfingersedinburgh@gmail .com to get involved. FREE Doug Johnstone Blackwell, 53–62 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30pm. The celebrated Scottish author, journalist and musician introduces his third novel, Smokeheads. Ticketed event. FREE Gillian Galbraith Ratho Library, 6 School Wynd, Ratho, 333 5297. 6.30–7.30pm. See Thu 3.
Dundee FREE Three Crime Writers Central Library, The Wellgate, 01392 431500. 7–8.30pm. Karen Campbell, Alex Gray and Caro Ramsey are the three in question. Part of Dundee Women’s Festival. Friday 11
Glasgow Aye Write! Mitchell Library, North Street, 353 8000. Times vary. Prices vary. Today’s programme includes Anthea Bell discussing Stefan Zweig and her translations of both his work and the Asterix books (3.30pm); philosopher Julian Baggini on new work of scepticism, The Ego Trick (6pm); actor and born raconteur John Cairney on luvvie life (7.30pm); respected political and social commentators Polly Toynbee and David Walker on the last Labour government (7.30pm); and Christopher Brookmyre and Billy Franks teaming up for a raucous night of tales and tunes (9pm). Edinburgh FREE Edinburgh Book Fair Radisson Blu Hotel, 80 High Street, 01356 650278. Noon–7pm. Dealers from throughout Scotland sell antiquarian and second hand books, maps and prints. The Petal Garden of King Shubash Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 7pm. £8 (£6). A story of wit, love and deceit as mighty King Shubash, who values loyalty more than anything, faces the wisdom of a woman. Ages 12+.
Saturday 12 Glasgow Aye Write! Mitchell Library, North Street, 353 8000. Times vary. Prices vary. The final day of the festival starts bright and early with a 75th birthday celebratory Broons quiz (10.30am), before continuing apace with a veritable torrent of great writers,
EVENTS Books
including Ossian scholar Allan Burnett (12.30pm), living legend Alasdair Gray (2pm), science fiction writers Iain M Banks & Ken MacLeod (2pm), biographer Michael Holroyd (3.30pm), artist David Shrigley (5pm) and musician James Yorkston (7pm). Edinburgh FREE Edinburgh Book Fair Radisson Blu Hotel, 80 High Street, 01356 650278. 10am–5pm. See Fri 11. FREE Arno Camenisch & Donal McLaughlin Word Power Books, 43–45 West Nicolson Street, 662 9112. 2pm. A reading from Swiss poet Camenisch, who writes in both German and Rhaeto- Romanic (the fourth official language of Switzerland), and Scottish short story writer and translator (from German), McLaughlin.
Sunday 13
Glasgow Words Per Minute The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000. 2–4pm. £4. Monthly spoken word, music, film and performance night run by Glasgow-based writer-performers Kirsty Logan, Helen Sedgwick and Kirstin Innes. Edinburgh FREE Spark! Creativity Showcase The Jazz Bar, 1 Chambers Street, 220 4298. 6–8.30pm. See Sun 6. Poetry at the . . . The Store, 37 Guthrie Street, 220 2987. 7.45–9.45pm. £4 (£3). Monthly poetry event featuring top UK names as well as local emerging writers. This month’s guests are AB Jackson, Andy Jackson and Niall Campbell.
Monday 14 Edinburgh FREE Joseph Pearce’s Book Club Joseph Pearce’s, 23 Elm Row, 556 4140. 7pm. Monthly book club in a cosy bar.
3–31 March 2011 THE LIST 47