Books EVENTS
Monday 19 Edinburgh FREE Blackwell Book Group Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6pm. In Dickens’ bicentenary year, the group discusses Great Expectations. FREE Edinburgh Creative Writers Pulp Fiction, 43 Bread Street, 229 4444. 7pm. See Mon 5.
Tuesday 20
Glasgow ✽✽ French Passions: Christopher Brookmyre Alliance Française de Glasgow, 3 Park Circus, 331 4080. 7pm. £8 (£6). Crime writer par excellence Brookmyre talks about his encounters with the work of Rabelais and how it might have influenced his own writing.
Edinburgh The Hugh MacDiarmid Lecture: Alastair Fowler on ‘Obscurity in Poetry’ Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 6.30pm. £7 (£5). The Edinburgh University Fellow gives the annual Poetry Association of Scotland lecture, this time exploring the uses of obscurity in poetry, particularly more modern work. FREE Stuart McHardy: The Pagan Symbols of the Picts Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30pm. Musician, poet, storyteller and folklorist, McHardy relates his investigations into the Pictish symbols to be found around Scotland. Part of Ceilidh Culture.
Wednesday 21 Edinburgh FREE Aline Templeton Drumbrae Library Hub, Drum Brae Drive, 529 5524. 6.30pm. The local crime writer discusses the latest in her DI Marjory Fleming series, Cradle to Grave. FREE Edinburgh Reads with Ryan Van Winkle Central Library, George IV Bridge, 242 8100. 6.30pm. Poet in residence Ryan Van Winkle hosts a friendly discussion of poetry.
Thursday 22
Glasgow ✽✽ A ‘Twenty Years of Changing Minds’ GWL Anniversary Event Glasgow Women’s Library, Mitchell Library, 15 Berkeley Street, 248 9969. 5.30pm. £3.50 (free). The library, an important resource for women’s history in Scotland and Glasgow, celebrates its 20th birthday with readings from Anne Donovan, Margaret Elphinstone and Karen Campbell, three of the writers in a new, specially commissioned collection of prints and writing inspired by the library.
Edinburgh FREE David Breeze & Rebecca Jones Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30pm. David Breeze, author of an authoritative book on the Antonine Wall, and archaeologist Rebecca Jones discuss the bid for World Heritage Site status for what is the Romans’ northernmost frontier (much further north than its more famous Northumbrian cousin, Hadrian’s Wall). The Coming of the Unicorn Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 228 1155. 7pm. £5 (£3). Launch event for Duncan Williamson’s posthumous collection of folk and fairy tales for children and adults, collected from the traditions of the travelling people, as well as the crofters, farmers, and shepherds he met along the way. Ages 8+. Part of Ceilidh Culture. FREE A Night in the Gutter: Scottish Independence, Irish Consequences National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. 7pm. Hip literary mag Gutter teams up with Irish literary magazine Irish Pages to host a discussion between three Scottish and three Irish writers about the
50 THE LIST 1–29 Mar 2012
Aardman and the Pirates! This would seem a prime opportunity for a nautical pun, but we’re sure Aardman Animations’ (the team behind Wallace & Gromit) new film The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists has more than enough of them. Instead we’ll just mention that the author of the Pirates! novel on which the film is based, Gideon Defoe, as well as co-founder of Aardman, David Sproxton, will be talking about the big screen adaptation and showing exclusive clips at a special Aye Write! event, chaired by List film critic Eddie Harrison. Why? Because they aaargh . . . So sorry. ■ Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Sat 10 Mar, 1.30pm.
possibility of Scottish independence and its potential effect on Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Booking essential.
Saturday 24 Edinburgh Fiere Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 1.30pm. £8 (£6). Gaelic chanteuse Joy Dunlop teams up with fiddle/harp duo Twelfth Day to explore the lives and loves of Scottish women, drawing on a variety of Gaelic and English poetry. Tall Tales Oscar Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 228 1155. 7.30pm. £8 (£6). Listen to tall tales, ferocious fibs and fables performed live on stage by Scotland’s finest tellers, then decide who wins the accolade of Oscar the Leprechaun. Part of Ceilidh Culture.
Sunday 25 Edinburgh Shore Poets Venue tbc, see website for details, shorepoets.org.uk 7.45pm. £5 (£3). Regular local poetry meet, with readings of new verse and live music. With Norman Kreitman, Jane McKie and Jean Atkin.
Monday 26 Edinburgh The Importance of Being Awkward: Tam Dalyell in Conversation with Brian Taylor National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. 6pm. £5. Former Labour MP Tam Dalyell discusses his new memoir of a political career characterised by outspokenness and a strong sense of moral conviction. Includes
refreshments and a book signing after the discussion. FREE Edinburgh Creative Writers Pulp Fiction, 43 Bread Street, 229 4444. 7pm. See Mon 5. Balloch Lomond Writers’ Gathering Kilted Skirlie, Ben Lomond Way, Loch Lomond Shores, 01389 754759. Times vary. £25–£100. A newcomer to the literary scene, this festival is dedicating its inaugural year to local author Agnes Owens, author of Gentlemen of the West and For the Love of Willie. As well as talks about Owens, the festival promises a Romance and Historical Fiction Day and appearances from known writers in a series of quizzes and workshops.
Tuesday 27
Edinburgh FREE Alanna Knight: Deadly Legacy Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30pm. Prolific Edinburgh crime writer Knight published her first novel in 1969 and seems to have barely paused for breath since. Here she celebrates the arrival of her latest Rose McQuinn adventure, Deadly Legacy. FREE Inky Fingers The Third Door, 45–47 Lothian Street, 225 6313. 7pm. Regular poetry, song and music session.
✽✽ Literary Death Match The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street, 556 7060. 7pm. £5 in advance; £8 on the door. The competitive reading event returns to the City of Literature, presented jointly by Birlinn and Polygon, with judges Christopher Brookmyre, Alan Bissett and Hannah McGill keeping score as writers, poets and performers including Sara Sheridan, Gavin Inglis, Michael
Pederson and Claire Askew let rip with their most articulate of wordy ammo. Balloch Lomond Writers’ Gathering Kilted Skirlie, Ben Lomond Way, Loch Lomond Shores, 01389 754759. Times vary. £25–£100. See Mon 26.
Wednesday 28 Balloch Lomond Writers’ Gathering Kilted Skirlie, Ben Lomond Way, Loch Lomond Shores, 01389 754759. Times vary. £25–£100. See Mon 26.
Thursday 29
Glasgow FREE International Women’s Day Poetry Book Launches CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7pm. The Scottish Writers’ Centre launches poetry books by AC Clarke and Amy Anderson.
Edinburgh Nothing But the Poem Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 6pm. £5 (£3). Poetry discussion forum with no preparation or previous knowledge required, focusing on a different poet each month. Two sessions run for each poet (this session is repeated on Sat 31 Mar) due to popular demand, booking advisable. In March the group takes on a classic, exploring the poems of Rudyard Kipling. Balloch Lomond Writers’ Gathering Kilted Skirlie, Ben Lomond Way, Loch Lomond Shores, 01389 754759. Times vary. £25–£100. See Mon 26.