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ONLINE REVIEW ONLINE MAGAZINE CHARLOTTE RAVEN (EDITOR) Feminist Times (feministtimes.com) ●●●●●
This new crowdfunded online magazine – with a print edition for financial supporters – represents an ambitious venture by its founder and editor Charlotte Raven. Launched in October, it was motivated by the questions ‘where have all the interesting women gone?’ and ‘what is feminism?’, with Raven attempting to create a publication that is ad-free, substantial and accessible to all. The content gathered so far is mixed in quality but admirably multi-vocal, and from the site’s healthy comment sections and growing Twitter following, it already seems to be fostering a community. The magazine’s main weakness is that despite a clear manifesto, the content lacks a sense of curation and editorial care: an article initially focused on Labour MP Gloria De Piero becomes a general rant about lads’ mags, while a long feature on the history of feminism turns out to be a transcribed talk, losing much of its power in printed form. More successful is Nina Power’s sharp and thought-provoking piece ‘Three- Dimensional Feminism’. But Feminist Times is definitely asking the right questions, and that is a very good place to start. (Paul Gallagher)
FLASH FICTION
FALLING #121 by Ryan Van Winkle
Winter and I cannot remember
a single breakfast. All the problems have become snow: not the drinking
nor the distance, it is the snow. It has been falling for months,
gets ploughed to the side of the road,
envelops the short Christmas days; sheathes her long nipples, the pond
is useless, layered with froth. The snow has hidden the solutions,
the consequences, the map. And in the dark it settles white,
blows thin onto the porch where she sat for the sun.
■ From poetry collection Tomorrow, We Will Live Here (Salt)
Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to books@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Jaclyn Arndt. ✽ Indicates Hitlist entry
Thursday 14
Glasgow FREE Sick Sick Sick: The Books of Ornery Women CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 6–7pm. (screening £3). A reading group to get into the nitty-gritty of the online Alt-Lit scene, looking at the writing of emerging female writers. Edinburgh Previously . . . Scotland’s History Festival Various venues across central Scotland, historyfest.co.uk Times vary. Prices vary. Until Sat 30 Nov. Previously . . . has a packed literary programme, with the bulk of events taking place in Edinburgh. Highlights include Rosemary Goring on her novel After Flodden; writer Andrew Greig and musician Rachel Newton on border ballads; and Inky Fingers’ historical poetry extravaganza. FREE False Attribution or Creative Imitation? The Tradition of Women’s Poetry in Early Qajar Iran Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 6.30pm. Dr Dominic Brookshaw examines three lyric poems written by three 19th-century Iranian women poets. Donna Tartt: The Goldfinch Assembly Roxy, 2 Roxburgh Place, 623 3030. 7pm. £8 (£5 with a Waterstones loyalty card). The best-selling American author talks about The Goldfinch. Duality Tango The Bongo Club, 66 Cowgate, 558 8844. 7pm. £7. Mix of music and spoken word.
Ayrshire Imprint Various venues, 01563 554300. Times vary. Prices vary. Until Sun 16 Nov. With local authors William McIlvanney and Zoe Strachan as patrons, Imprint attracts a range of writers and performers, plus workshops and the Imprint Writing Award allow up-and-comers to test their talents. The programme includes Laura Marney, James Robertson and a celebration of McIlvanney’s landmark novel, Laidlaw.
Saturday 16 Glasgow FREE Graham Fulton Book Launch Street Level Photoworks, Trongate 103, 552 2151. 7pm. The Scottish poet reads from his latest collections, Reclaimed Land and The Universe is a Silly Place.
Edinburgh ✽ Anti-Zine Launch Night Summerhall, 1 Summerhall, 0845
874 3001. 2–5pm. £6. The second issue of contrary publication Anti-Zine is themed ‘Circus’. Kirsty Logan gives a reading and Paul Vickers performs his Twonkey’s Blue Cadabra.
Sunday 17
Edinburgh FREE Inky Fingers SPEAKeasy The Forest Café, 141 Lauriston Place, 229 4922. 2–5pm. A group for writers perform their work. Email inkyfingersedinburgh@ gmail.com to book a place.
Monday 18 Edinburgh FREE Johnny Vegas: Becoming Johnny Vegas Waterstones, 98/9 Ocean Terminal, Ocean Drive, Leith, 554 7732. 5pm. The stand-up signs copies of his autobiography. Gary Lucas: Touched by Grace Electric Circus, 36–39 Market Street, 226 4224. 7pm. £13.50. The guitarist recounts his collaborations with Jeff Buckley, Captain Beefheart and more.
TOP 5 . . . NEW SCARES
The Rabbit Back Literature Society – Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen Young teacher Ella is the newest member of the exclusive writing group of Rabbit Back, run by famous children’s author Laura White. But why are the words in Ella’s library books rearranging themselves? And has Laura really disappeared in a whirlwind of snow? This clever mystery mixes the small-town surrealism of Twin Peaks with the clandestine-society theme of The Secret History.
Rustication – Charles Palliser It’s Christmas 1863, and teenage opium addict Richard has been sent down to the crumbling family pile where his mother and sister live in impoverished glamour. As threatening letters from the nearby village pile up, the family’s behaviour becomes increasingly bizarre.
The Vampyre Family – Andrew McConnell Stott Love, sex, fame: Byron and Shelley certainly knew about drama. This non-fiction explores the origins of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and The Vampyre by John Polidori. The Abominable – Dan Simmons The summit of Everest must be an unnerving place at the best of times – but imagine it’s 1925 and you’re only there to discover the corpses of the last people who attempted the trip. Mingling fact and fiction, and clocking in at almost 700 pages, this novel will certainly keep you busy (and terrified) through the winter.
Sad Monsters: Growling on the Outside, Crying on the Inside – Frank Lesser Freaked yourself out too much? Banish the spooks with this funny take on classic monsters. (Kirsty Logan)
13-30 NOVEMBER 2013 274 events
14 Nov–12 Dec 2013 THE LIST 45