BOOKS | Events Tuesday 19
Glasgow June Brown: Before the Year Dot Waterstones, 153–157 Sauchiehall Street, 332 9105. 6.30pm. £4 (£3). The EastEnders actor signs copies of her memoir.
Edinburgh FREE My Own, My Native Land Writers’ Museum, Lady Stair’s Close, Lawnmarket, 529 4901. 5.15pm. Until Fri 22 Nov. Theatre Tusitala performs a selection of Walter Scott’s work. Wednesday 20
Glasgow FREE Weegie Wednesday CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, weegiewednesday.org 7pm. Monthly forum offering anyone with a literary interest the chance to talk about books and publishing. First-timers, please contact the organisers via the website. Edinburgh Roxana Vilk: Poets of Protest Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 6.30pm. £5 (£4). Filmmaker Vilk talks about Arabic poets and shows Poets of Protest films. Café Voices Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 7pm. £5. Tonight’s session is themed ‘A Candle in the Darkness’, with stories from Aileen Carr and Beverley Bryant.
Thursday 21
Glasgow FREE St Mungo’s Mirrorball The Poetry Club, 100 Eastvale Place, 357 7246. 7pm. It’s Showcase 6, with Michael Symmons Roberts, Andrew Philip and Alexandra Oliver. Edinburgh Craig A Smith: The Mile Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30pm. Free, but ticketed. Smith launches his debut novel about three friends pub- crawling the Royal Mile. Donald Smith: Ballad of the Five Marys Central Library, 7–9 George IV Bridge, 242 8100. 7–8pm. Free, but ticketed. The author discusses his historical fiction about the handmaidens of Mary, Queen of Scots. A Random History of Scottish Poetry and Song The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street, 557 2876. 7–10pm. £5 (£4). An evening of cabaret- style readings and music, recreating spirit of yesteryear. FREE Stranger Than Fiction The Jolly Judge, 7 James Court, High Street, 225 2669. 7pm. Writers’ group for those interested in writing non-fiction.
Friday 22
Edinburgh FREE Bob Cant: Something Chronic Word Power Bookshop, 43 West Nicolson Street, 662 9112. 6.30pm. The Dundee-born author launches his magic- realist fiction about Scottish identity. Rally & Broad Counting House, West Nicolson Street, 07989 508436. 8–11pm. See caption, above. 3 Edinburgh The Jataka Tales of the Buddha’s Past Lives Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 7pm. Free, but ticketed. Listen to some of the world’s oldest tales, which recount the life of the Buddha before he found enlightenment. With storytellers Steve Killick and Mark Rivett.
Sunday 24
Edinburgh Michael Connelly and Denise Mina in Conversation Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 7pm. £8. Scottish crime writer Mina talks about the genre with America’s Connelly, and both read from recent works. 46 THE LIST 14 Nov–12 Dec 2013
Templeton and AC Clarke offer their own perspectives to this night. Tuesday 3
Edinburgh Nothing but the Poem Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 6pm. £5 (£4). Tonight’s session includes a reading and discussion of the TS Eliot Prize shortlist. Gerry Hassan & James Mitchell: After Independence Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30pm. Free, but ticketed. An exploration of what a Yes win could mean for Scotland.
Wednesday 4 Edinburgh Aline Templeton: Bad Blood Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30pm. Free, but ticketed. The latest DI Fleming tale.
Thursday 5
Glasgow FREE Reading Group for Muslim Women Glasgow Women’s Library, 23 Landressy Street, 248 9969. 7–9pm. Reading group for women. Edinburgh Fras Publications Invites . . . Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6pm. Free, but ticketed. A launch night with five new Fras pamphlets. Magicians of Edinburgh Central Library, 7–9 George IV Bridge, 557 2876. 7pm. £5 (£4). Ron Butlin celebrates Edinburgh.
Saturday 7 Edinburgh Nothing but the Poem Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 11am. £5 (£4). See Tue 3.
Sunday 8
Edinburgh Performance Poetry The Jazz Bar, 1 Chambers Street, 220 4298. 2pm. £5 (£4). Hosted by Jenny Lindsay. Tuesday 10
Glasgow In Process with Jim Carruth CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7–8.30pm. £6 (£3; SWC members free). The founder and chair of St Mungo’s Mirrorball shares his poetry. Edinburgh FREE If Books Grew on Trees Central Library, 7–9 George IV Bridge, 242 8100. 6pm. Bookbinder Lucy Roscoe shows off some of her favourite pop-up books from the NLS collection. An Evening of Music with Alexander McCall Smith The Queen’s Hall, 87–89 Clerk Street, 668 2019. 7.30pm. £16 (£14; children £10). The author discusses his work and debuts a new collaboration. The School of Poets Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 8–11pm. £2 for taster session; £10 for annual membership. Workshop-type poetry session. Electric Tales The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £5 (£4). A blend of comedy and storytelling.
Wednesday 11
Glasgow FREE Weegie Wednesday CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900, weegiewednesday.org 7.30pm. See Wed 20. It’s a Weegie Wednesday Christmas party time! Edinburgh A Blackwell’s Christmas Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6–8pm. Free, but ticketed. Celebrate the season in literary style, with poetry, readings and music.
RALLY & BROAD Rachel McCrum and Jenny Lindsay bring a cabaret of song, spoken word and poetry to Edinburgh once again with their Heroes & Antiheroes themed night. Joining them in their high-jinks will be Slam Champion Rachel Amey, Edinburgh-born poet Ross Sutherland and musician Jonnie Common. ■ The Counting House, Edinburgh, Fri 22 Nov.
Shore Poets Henderson’s @ St John’s, St John’s Terrace, 3 Lothian Road, 229 0212. 7.15–10pm. £5 (£3). This month’s performers include Gerrie Fellowes, Christine de Luca and Tracey S Rosenberg. Monday 25
Glasgow ✽ Book Week Scotland Various venues, bookweekscotland.com. Times
vary. Prices vary. Until Sun 1 Dec. The second edition of Scotland’s national book festival kicks off today, with support from Creative Scotland, the Scottish Book Trust and many other collaborators. See preview, page 43.
Edinburgh Bloody Scotland Crime Panel Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street, 226 2666. 6pm. £3 (loyalty card holders £2). Quintin Jardine, Aly Monroe, Sara Sheridan and Lin Anderson talk shop. Tuesday 26
Glasgow ✽ Book Week Scotland See Mon 25. Lesley McDowell, J David Simons and
Laura Marney. Alastair McIntosh: From Island Spirituality to American Exceptionalism Pearce Institute, 840 Govan Road, 445 6007. 6.30–8.30pm. By donation (suggested £2–£5). The writer and activist launches a new book.
Edinburgh SPL Poetry Workshop Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 6pm. £5 (£4). Workshop suitable for writers at any stage in their literary career. Wednesday 27
Glasgow ✽ Book Week Scotland See Mon 25. For a preview of the next generation
of Scottish writing talent, head over to the Glasgow Women’s Library, where up-and- comers are trying their luck in front of a ‘Dragon’s Pen’ judging panel.
Edinburgh ✽ Book Week Scotland See Mon 25. Today in Edinburgh, learn about Jane
Austen’s Scottish contemporaries or listen to Karen Campbell and James Robertson talk about their work. Colin Campbell: Engine of Destruction – The 51st (Highland) Division in the Great War Central Library, 7–9 George IV Bridge, 242 8100. 6–7.30pm. Free, but ticketed. Colin Campbell talks about and signs copies of his
brand new historical book, which marks the centenary of World War One. Thursday 28
Glasgow ✽ Book Week Scotland See Mon 25. Today in Glasgow, Julia Donaldson signs
copies of her books.
Edinburgh ✽ Book Week Scotland See Mon 25. Sara Sheridan, Robin Lloyd-Jones, Kirsty
Gunn and Tony Black. FREE Poetry and the Deep Time of Trees Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place, 248 2909. 1–2pm. Poet Mandy Haggith talks about her experiences with trees.
Friday 29
Glasgow ✽ Book Week Scotland See Mon 25. Paraig MacNeil and Rebel Inc founder
Kevin Williamson are on today.
Edinburgh ✽ Book Week Scotland See Mon 25. Lari Don and Wee Small Hours. Guid Crack Club Waverley Bar, 1 St Mary’s Street, 557 1050. 7.30–8pm. Suggested donation £3. Regular storytelling club.
Saturday 30 Edinburgh Tales of a Grandson: My Story of Scotland Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 3–4pm. £6 (£4). Andy Cannon spent a year collecting the stories of Scotland.
✽ Book Week Scotland See Mon 25. The Dead Poets Slam and artist Harry
Giles hosting Speak Out: Open Mic.
Sunday 1
Edinburgh Illicit Ink Underground The Bongo Club, 66 Cowgate, 558 8844. 8–10pm. £5 (£3). Illicit Ink keeps things dark and playful with a theme of Toy Stories.
Monday 2
Glasgow FREE Don Powell: Look Wot I Dun Waterstones, 174 Argyle Street, 248 4814. 5–6pm. The Slade drummer signs. Edinburgh FREE Tricolour: NLS Poetry Night Central Library, 7–9 George IV Bridge, 242 8100. 6.30pm. Maggie Rabatski, Sheila