list.co.uk/books
includes discussion, reading and writing of poems. Leo du Feu: Landscapes and Birds of Scotland Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30pm. Free but ticketed. The Scottish artist talks about his new artist’s book.
Wednesday 30
Glasgow FREE Poetry Session @ CafeW Waterstones, 174 Argyle Street, 248 4814. 7–8.30pm. Readings from featured poets in Waterstones’ cafe, followed by an open mic. Tonight, Niall Campbell takes the spotlight, reading from his new book, Moontide. Rally & Broad Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 07989 508436. 8.30pm. £5. See Fri 18. Tonight’s line-up features Raymond Soltysek, Amy Shipway and Stephen Watt. Ticket includes a complimentary glass of anCnoc whisky. Edinburgh FREE Alexander Moffat and Alan Riach: Arts of Independence Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 623 3734. 6.30–7.30pm. The pair talk about an important – but neglected – aspect of Scotland’s bid for independence. Part of TradFest. FREE Hillary Rohde: The Other Side Word Power Bookshop, 43 West Nicolson Street, 662 9112. 6.30pm. Rohde launches her autobiography, sketching her life from South Africa to the Scottish Highlands.
Thursday 1
Glasgow FREE St Mungo’s Mirrorball CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7pm. A showcase of the finest poetry talent on the Glasgow scene. Tonight’s verse comes courtesy of Gerrie Fellows and Jacob Polley. Edinburgh FREE Doug Johnstone: The Dead Beat Looking Glass Books, 36 Simpson Loan, Quartermile, 229 2902. 6.30pm. Edinburgh author Johnstone discusses his sixth novel, about a newspaper intern launched into a search for answers when a coworker commits suicide. In conversation with Allan Guthrie. Patrick Richardson: In Search of Landfall Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30pm. Free but ticketed. The travel writer introduces his new memoir, structured on the Odyssey and tackling big life questions. Lindsey Davis: Historical Whodunnist! Central Library, 7–9 George IV Bridge, 242 8100. 7–8pm. Free but ticketed. Historical novelist Davis talks about her long writing career (with 20 novels under her belt), including her latest, Enemies at Home.
Friday 2
Glasgow Iain Macwhirter: The Road to Referendum The Glad Café, 1006a Pollokshaws Road, 636 6119. 7.30pm. £10. The political columnist presents his new book, a companion to the three-part television series of the same name, and discusses Scotland’s political future. Edinburgh Rally & Broad The Bongo Club, 66 Cowgate, 07989 508436. 7pm. £5. See Fri 18. Tonight it’s ‘The Ampersand Edition’, featuring mash- ups and collaborations. Dancer and choreographer Ruth Mills teams up with Gerry Campbell (formerly Belle & Sebastian) and poet Ryan Van Winkle teams up with singer-songwriter Lake Montgomery. Part of The Bongo Lives!
Saturday 3 Edinburgh A Braw Nicht Oot Scottish
Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 7–9.30pm. £8 (£6). Four Scots storytellers spin yarns in different dialects. Plus, music and song! TradFest.
Sunday 4
Edinburgh Illicit Ink Underground The Bongo Club, 66 Cowgate, 558 8844. 8–10pm. £5 (£3). Illicit Ink keeps things dark and playful at this themed writers’ performance night. Tonight’s theme is ‘Word Games’.
Tuesday 6
Edinburgh FREE Inky Fingers Open Mic The Forest Café, 141 Lauriston Place, inkyfingersedinburgh@gmail.com 8–11pm. Open mic for literature and spoken word lovers. Email ahead for a chance to perform. Wednesday 7
Glasgow Word Play Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 552 4267. 8–11pm. £2 suggested donation. Open mic night (five-minute slots) with acoustic music, poetry and prose, hosted by the Word Factory. Edinburgh FREE Reiving and Bereaving: Walter Scott and the Ballads National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 556 9579. 6–7pm. An afternoon of Borders-centred folklore, images, and ballads. TradFest. FREE Gerry Hassan: Caledonian
Dreaming Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30–7.30pm. See Sun 20. Thursday 8
Glasgow FREE St Mungo’s Mirrorball CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7pm. See Thu 1. Tonight’s featured poet is Belfast’s Miriam Gamble, with her Clydebuilt mentees – Susan Mansfield, Jane Hartshorn, Julie Martis and Tracy Patrick – also taking the stage. Edinburgh Donald Smith: Ballad of the Five Marys Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 6–7pm. £6 (£4). The author discusses his historical fiction, about the handmaidens of Mary, Queen of Scots. TradFest. FREE Louise Welsh: A Lovely Way to Burn National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3734. 6–7pm. The Scottish crime literature stalwart releases the first in her Plague Times trilogy, which begins as a global plague called ‘the Sweats’ sweeps across London. FREE Dilys Rose: Pelmanism Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30–7.30pm. Rose shares her new novel, centring on the bitterness and love between a girl and her father. TradFest.
Friday 9 Edinburgh Caesura Summerhall, 1 Summerhall, 07719 481092. 7pm. £3. An eclectic and experimental night of poetry,
P H O T O © A N T J E M
. P O H S E G G E R
RICHARD WISEMAN: MYTH-BUSTER Magician, psychologist, sleep expert, myth debunker − Richard Wiseman is on a mission to bring the rigours of scientii c enquiry to us everyday folk, and to keep us thoroughly entertained at the same time. As part of World Book Night, he discusses his latest book, 59 seconds, in which he aims to replace the self-help industry’s mind myths with simple but quirky solutions that, we’re promised, will improve our lives in minutes, not months. Will you let Wiseman play with your mind? ■ Central Library, Edinburgh, Wed 23 Apr.
Events | BOOKS
performance and spoken word. For Caesura #23, it’s experimental writer Dorothy Alexander, sound poet Luke Poot, musician Sam Cunningham-Siggs and playwright Karen Strang. Cumnock Boswell Book Festival Auchinleck House, Auchinleck, boswellbookfestival. co.uk, times vary. Prices vary. Until Sun 11 May. A quirky literary festival devoted to biography and the first modern biographer, James Boswell. Set at his former home of Auchinleck House, the fest spans talks, performances and workshops by writers, actors and artists. This year includes Kirsty Wark, Nigel Anthony, Susan Stephen, Jessica Fox and more.
Saturday 10 Edinburgh FREE Quintin Jardine: Hour of Darkness Waterstones, 98/9 Ocean Terminal, Ocean Drive, Leith, 554 7732. 2.30pm. The crime writer signs copies of his latest Bob Skinner novel.
Monday 12
Glasgow ✽ Laydeez Do Comics Pearce Institute, 840 Govan Road, 445 6007. 6.30–9pm. £2. A worldwide graphic novel forum led by women, open to all, with a focus on topics of the domestic and the everyday. Sick Sick Sick: The Books of Ornery Women CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7pm. £4. See Thu 24. Things get shaken up tonight with Remastered, a performance of Katherine Angel’s Unmastered: A Book on Desire, Most Difficult to Tell.
West Dunbartonshire FREE Booked! Various venues, West Dunbartonshire, 01389 608978. Times vary. Until Sat 31 May. A free, local literature festival run by West Dunbartonshire Libraries that nevertheless manages to book some big name authors. The 2014 programme includes Hew Strachan, Colin Campbell, Alistair Moffat, Janis Sharp and James Oswald. Tuesday 13
Glasgow Ewan Morrison CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7–8.30pm. £6 (£3; SWC members free). The ‘erudite purveyor of filth’ talks about his newest works and the experience of his novel Swung being made into a film. Organised by Scottish Writers’ Centre. Edinburgh FREE Tom Pow: In Another World National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3734. 6–7pm. Pow speaks about his book In Another World: Among Europe’s Dying Villages, which explores the impact of population change through essays, stories, photographs and poems. Mark Ellen: Rock Stars Stole My Life! Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30pm. Free but ticketed. The writer and broadcaster shares his new memoir, recounting his teenage years as a massive underground rock fan. Interviewed by Bruce Findlay. Jo Caulfield Presents . . . The Speakeasy Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 8–10pm. £6. See Comedy listings.
Wednesday 14 Glasgow Poetry@The Ivory Ivory Hotel, Langside Avenue Shawlands, 636 0223. 7.15–9.30pm. £2–£3. Poetry event with guest readers, local musicians and open mic spots. Supported by the Scottish Book Trust.
17 Apr–15 May 2014 THE LIST 45