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archaeologist and historian condenses his blood-boiling new book, A Marxist History of the World: From Neanderthals to Neoliberals, into a 45 minute talk. Wednesday 24
Glasgow FREE Neil Faulkner: A Marxist History of the World Aye-Aye Books, CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 07946 643757. 6.30–8pm. See Tue 23. FREE Weegie Wednesdays CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7.30pm. Monthly forum offering anyone with a literary interest the chance to talk about books and publishing. First timers, please contact the organisers via weegiewednesday.org. With guest speaker Michael Malone. Edinburgh FREE Pippa Goldschmidt: The Falling Sky Looking Glass Books, 36 Simpson Loan, Quartermile, 229 2902. 6.30pm. Freight Books launches the newest addition to its esteemed roster. RSVP at info@lookingglassbooks.com. Priscila Uppal and Tishani Doshi Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 6.30pm. £7 (£5). The two award-winning poets, both signed to Bloodaxe, read from their recent collections. Café Voices Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 7pm. £5. A relaxed session of oral storytelling, poetry and song. Tonight, a celebration to kick off TradFest 2013, with host Donald Smith. See preview, page 38. Part of TradFest.
Thursday 25
Edinburgh FREE On the Trail of Bonnie Prince Charlie Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6pm. Gregor Ewing and Stuart McHardy discuss the myths surrounding the Scottish hero. See preview, page 38. Part of TradFest.
✽ Rockets for Edwin Morgan Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 6.30pm. £7 (£5). The sci-fi poets collected in Where Rockets Burn Through: Contemporary Science Fiction Poems join anthology editor Russell Jones for an evening of readings. FREE Stranger Than Fiction The Jolly Judge, 7 James Court, High Street, 225 2669. 7pm. Friendly, monthly Edinburgh writers’ group for those interested in writing non-fiction.
Friday 26
Edinburgh ✽ FREE Mr Twonkey: Itchy Grumble White Rabbit, 44
Broughton Street. 7–8.30pm. Edinburgh- based entertainer and writer Mr Twonkey launches his fantasy-meets- folk-tale illustrated novel Itchy Grumble, followed up by a ‘window show’ at erotic boutique White Rabbit.
Sunday 28 Edinburgh Edinburgh in Story Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 2pm. £6 (£4). Fergus McNicol and Ron Fairweather share some of Edinburgh’s key stories. See preview, page 38. Part of TradFest. Gallery Book Lounge Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art One, 75 Belford Road, 624 6200. 2–4.30pm. £12 (£10). This month, the National Gallery’s book group discusses Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
8.30pm. £6 (£4). An evening of the Perthshire song and stories collected by Lady Evelyn Stewart Murray. See preview, page 38. Part of TradFest. Tuesday 30
Glasgow Glasgow Science Fiction Writers’ Circle The Ogilvie Centre, 25 Rose Street, gsfwc.wordpress.com 8pm. £2. Regular fortnightly critiquing workshop for writers of all things fantastical. Beginners welcome; email glasgowsfwriters@gsfwc.co.uk in advance to attend. Edinburgh FREE John Barrington: Of Dogs and Men Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6pm. Shepherd and storyteller Barrington launches his latest book. See preview, page 38. Part of TradFest. SPL Poetry Workshop Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 6–8pm. £5 (£3). A writing workshop suitable for writers at any stage in their career, with discussion, reading and writing of poems.
Thursday 2 Edinburgh William McIlvanney: Laidlaw Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street, 226 2666. 6pm. £3. McIlvanney chats about his award-winning 1977 ‘tartan noir’ novel, Laidlaw. FREE Richard Holloway: Leaving Alexandria Central Library, 7–9 George IV Bridge, 242 8100. 7–8pm. The acclaimed thinker and outspoken former bishop of Edinburgh talks about his long-awaited memoir.
Edinburgh FREE Dissecting Edinburgh: Writing Medicine in the City of Literature Surgeons’ Hall Museum, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Nicolson Street, 527 1649. 6–8pm. Nasim Marie Jafry, Alison Summers and Tracey S Rosenberg read from their medical-based fiction. FREE Peter Burnett: #freetopiary – An Occupy Romance Looking Glass Books, 36 Simpson Loan, Quartermile, 229 2902. 6.30pm. Burnett’s latest concerns an Occupy camp set up in Aberdeen and a young hacktivist at the centre of it all.
Friday 10
Edinburgh Caesura The Artisan, 35 London Road, 07719 481092. 7–11pm. Entry by donation. An eclectic and experimental night of poetry, performance and spoken word. Manchester writer David Gaffney, Shetlandic writer and Lorca translator Christie Williamson and Edinburgh- based writer and musician Pete McConville are this edition’s guests. Saturday 11
Edinburgh ✽ FREE Leafing through Natural Scotland Royal Botanic Garden,
Arboretum Place, 248 2909. 10am–6pm. An exhibition of images and objects connecting books to nature.
Sunday 12 Edinburgh FREE Rogue Writers Pulp Fiction Café Bookstore, 43 Bread Street, 229 4444. 3.30–5.30pm. See Sun 21.
Friday 3 Monday 13
Edinburgh The Bongo Club Slam The Bongo Club, 66 Cowgate, 558 8844. 7pm. £5. The Bongo Club and Rally & Broad present the inaugural Bongo Slam. Up to 20 poets compete through heats, the semis and the final in this all-new, high- octane slam with judges Alan Bissett, Kirsty Logan and Hannah McGill plus music from Hailey Beavis. Sunday 5
Edinburgh FREE Rogue Writers Pulp Fiction Café Bookstore, 43 Bread Street, 229 4444. 3.30–5.30pm. See Sun 21.
✽ FREE Illicit Ink he Bongo Club, 66 Cowgate, 558 8844. 8pm. An evening
of prose, spoken word and storytelling, this time themed around ‘sleep’.
Tuesday 7
Glasgow Raymond E Feist: Magician’s End Waterstones, 153–157 Sauchiehall Street, 332 9105. 6.30–8pm. £3. Fantasy author Feist signs copies of his new book. Writing and Song: An Evening with Linda Jackson Scottish Writers’ Centre, CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7pm. £6 (£3; members free). The Glaswegian singer-songwriter discusses the relationship between her poetry and songs, and performs some too. Edinburgh FREE Tricolour: NLS Poetry Night National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. 6.30pm. Spoken word from Colin McGuire, Rachel Amey and Jenny Lindsay.
Thursday 9
Edinburgh FREE Edinburgh Creative Writers’ Club Pulp Fiction Café Bookstore, 43 Bread Street, 229 4444. 7–10pm. See Mon 22. Tuesday 14
Glasgow Glasgow Science Fiction Writers’ Circle The Ogilvie Centre, 25 Rose Street, gsfwc.wordpress.com 8pm. £2. See Tue 30. Edinburgh Jo Caulfield Presents . . . The Speakeasy Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 8pm. £6. A relaxed evening of entertainment featuring a diverse bill of artists. Tonight: writer Alan Bissett, magician Kevin McMahon, comedian Gavin Webster, ukelele player Eleanor Morton, a 10-minute play by Keara Murphy, storyteller Fiona Herbert, a short film by Jordan Mills, plus others and MC Jo Caulfield. The School of Poets Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 8–11pm. £2 for taster session; £10 for annual membership. Monthly workshop-type poetry session aiming to encourage and develop writing skills. Beginners and more experienced writers equally welcome. Remember to bring along 4–5 copies of one of your poems.
Thursday 16 Edinburgh FREE Jenny Mayhew: A Wolf in Hindleheim Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30pm. The launch of Mayhew’s debut, a thriller set in the Germany of 1926. Booking essential.
Monday 29 Edinburgh Tales and Music from Highland Perthshire Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579.
Glasgow FREE Mirrorball Showcase 2 The Poetry Club, 100 Eastvale Place, jim@ carruth.freeserve.co.uk. 7pm. Poetry readings from Anna Crowe, Alan Riach and Lucy Burnett. Stirling John Cooper Clarke Tolbooth, Jail Wynd, 01786 274000. 8pm. £16.50. The legendary Mancunian punk poet, who is a spiritual godfather to the likes of Mike Skinner and Plan B.
Events | BOOKS
5 THINGS . . . LESBIAN CLASSICS In Suzanne Rindell’s novel The Other Typist, old- fashioned Rose falls into a dangerous obsession with the glamorous Odalie. For some happier lady-love endings, try these lesbian classics
Valencia – Michelle Tea A true(ish) account of a year spent among the women of San Francisco’s Mission District: radical Marta, tormented poet Willa, beautiful but dramatic Iris, and Iris’s ex, the fantastically- named Magdalena Squalor. The most badass, punk-rock queer book ever written.
Tipping the Velvet – Sarah Waters Orphaned pickpocket Sue sets out to scam the rich and trusting Maude – but matters get complicated when they fall in love. You can’t beat a good bit of melodrama, particularly when the baddies get their comeuppance and Maude and Sue have a nice snog.
Annie on My Mind – Nancy Garden A sweet, safe story of two high school girls who fall in love. A minister in Kansas publicly burned this 1980s teen novel on its publication – give it a read just to spite him. The Price of Salt – Patricia Highsmith While working in a toyshop, naïve Therese develops a crush on elegant older woman Carol – but Carol is going through a messy divorce, and could lose custody of her daughter if the courts find out about her relationship with Therese. Not a blissfully happy ending, but pretty progressive for the time.
Best Lesbian Erotica – Various This anthology series has been running for 18 years (and counting), and every single year the stories are more daring, beautiful, and – of course – downright smutty than before. (Kirsty Logan) ■ The Other Typist is published by Amy Einhorn Books on Tue 7 May.
18 Apr–16 May 2013 THE LIST 47