BOOKS | Events
FREE An Evening with Allan Massie Golden Hare, 68 St Stephen Street, 629 1396. 6.30–9pm. Allan Massie discusses his work. FREE J David Simons: The Land Agent Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8218. 6.30pm. See Thu 23. FREE Talking Heids Sofi’s, 65 Henderson Street, 555 7019. 8pm. Poetry cabaret. Thursday 30
Glasgow FREE Storytelling Café Glasgow Women’s Library, 23 Landressy Street, 550 2267. 2.30–4pm. See Thu 16. FREE Robin Lloyd-Jones: The Sweet Especial Scene Waterstones, 153–157 Sauchiehall Street, 332 9105. 6.30pm. Robin Lloyd-Jones discusses his book, The Sweet Especial Scene. FREE Sick Sick Sick: The Books of Ornery Women CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 6.30pm. A reading group to get into the nitty gritty of the online Alt-Lit scene, looking at the writing of emerging female writers. Organised by MAP magazine, with meetings every six to eight weeks. St Mungo’s Mirrorball CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7pm. £5 (SMM members free). A showcase of the finest poetry talent on the Glasgow scene. Edinburgh FREE John Cairney: The Importance of Being National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3734. 6–7.30pm. John Cairney releases his memoir, The Importance of Being.
Friday 31
Glasgow Read Aloud! Celebrating Commonwealth Women’s Writing Glasgow Women’s Library, 23 Landressy Street, 550 2267. 1–3pm. £2 (free). See Fri 17. Edinburgh FREE Julia Donaldson Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8218. 2.30–4pm. The author swings by to celebrate the publication of The Further Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat.
Linlithgow Linlithgow Book Festival Various venues. Times vary. Prices vary. Until Sun 2 Nov. Small literary festival that pulls in an impressive roster of guests, including Kirsty Wark, Sara Sheridan and Ken MacLeod. There's a slight lean towards history and crime fiction, but this sits comfortably alongside poetry, open mic, discussion and family events.
Saturday 1
Edinburgh Beginners Guide to Reading and Talking About Poetry Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 10.30am. £5 (£4). Coffee, croissants and poetry. FREE Ian Stephen: Death and Fish Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 5.30pm. Ian Stephen weaves material from his new novel, A Book of Death and Fish, with a collection of traditional stories. Cockenzie Cockenzie House Book Festival Cockenzie House & Gardens, 22 Edinburgh Road, 01875 819456. 11am–10pm. £10–£35. Until Sun 2 Nov. Featuring international and East Lothian authors from a variety of genres and styles.
Sunday 2
Edinburgh Storytelling Masterclass Scottish 54 THE LIST 16 Oct–13 Nov 2014
12.30pm. See Thu 6. Read Aloud! Celebrating Commonwealth Women’s Writing Glasgow Women’s Library, 23 Landressy Street, 550 2267. 1–3pm. £2 (free). See Fri 17. FREE Cathie Devitt: Don’t Drink & Fly Waterstones, 174 Argyle Street, 248 4814. 7–8.30pm. Cathie Devitt launches Don’t Drink and Fly.
Saturday 8 Glasgow FREE TF Muir: The Meating Room Waterstones, 174 Argyle Street, 248 4814. 2–3pm. TF Muir on his crime fiction novel The Meating Room. Jodi Picoult: Leaving Time Eastwood Park Theatre, Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, 577 4956. 7pm. £5–£7. Jodi Picoult discusses her latest book, Leaving Time.
Monday 10
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. FREE Scots/English Writing Group Scottish Writers’ Centre, CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7–9pm. See Mon 27. Edinburgh An Evening With Yotam Ottolenghi Royal Lyceum Theatre, Grindlay Street, 248 4848. Times tbc. £12.50. Chef and food writer Yotam Ottolenghi discusses his new cookbook, Plenty More. FREE Edinburgh Creative Writers’ Club Monboddo Bar, Point Hotel, 34 Bread Street, 221 5555. 7–9.30pm. See Mon 20.
Tuesday 11
Glasgow FREE Fiona Rintoul: The Leipzig Affair Waterstones, 153–157 Sauchiehall Street, 332 9105. 6pm. Fiona Rintoul, author of The Leipzig Affair, discusses her work. FREE Red Squirrel Book Launches: Colin Will, Nikkia Magennis and William Bonar CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7–8.30pm. Red Squirrel Press' Sheila Wakefield presents an evening of poetry readings to mark the release of new books from three Scottish poets – William Bonar, Colin Will and Nikkia Magennis. Edinburgh FREE Edinburgh All-Comers Writers Club Sofi’s, 65 Henderson Street, 555 7019. 7–10pm. See Tue 21. Flowers in the Sand Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 7–9pm. £8 (£6). Armistice Day programme featuring contributions from poets and musicians. FREE Hush Hour The Lucky Liquor Co, 39A Queen Street, 226 3976. 7–8pm. Read books and drink cocktails – what more could you want?
Wednesday 12
Glasgow Poetry@The Ivory Ivory Hotel, Langside Avenue Shawlands, 636 0223. 7.15–9.30pm. £2–£3. Guest readers, local musicians and open mic spots. Supported by Scottish Book Trust.
Edinburgh New Edinburgh Writers Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street, 529 5616. 6–8pm. £0.50. See Wed 22.
✽ Alan Cumming: Not My Father’s Son Assembly Roxy,
2 Roxburgh Place, 623 3030. 7pm. £8. Alan Cumming discusses his memoir, Not My Father’s Son, with Damien Barr.
WEAK MESSAGES CREATE BAD SITUATIONS He’s already released over 20 books but with over 400 new works crammed into its monochrome pages, this heavy tome is David Shrigley’s biggest yet. The Glasgow-based artist and 2013 Turner Prize nominee is one of Scotland’s most celebrated contemporary creative figures and this particular collection will certainly please his fans. Look out for the particularly funny Kate Bush-themed entry. ■ Weak Messages Create Bad Situations: A Manifesto by David Shrigley is out on Thu 23 Oct from Canongate.
Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 2–4pm. £15. A workshop to get to grips with storytelling.
Monday 3
Edinburgh FREE Phil Taylor: Staying Power – A Year in My Life Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street, 226 2666. 12.30pm. Phil Taylor signs copies of his book, Staying Power – A Year in My Life. FREE Blackwell’s Book Quiz Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8201. 6–7.30pm. Test your literary credentials in teams of up to five members. Arrive early to secure a seat. FREE I Wonder What It’s Like To Be Dyslexic Central Library, 7–9 George IV Bridge, 242 8100. 6.30pm. Sam Barclay talks about living with dyslexia and his book, I Wonder What It’s Like to be Dyslexic. FREE Tricolour: NLS Poetry Night National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3734. 6.30pm. Three spoken word and performance poets take to the stage. FREE Edinburgh Creative Writers’ Club Monboddo Bar, Point Hotel, 34 Bread Street, 221 5555. 7–9.30pm. See Mon 20.
Tuesday 4
Edinburgh FREE Muriel Spark Society Annual Lecture National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3734. 6pm. Candia McWilliam discusses Muriel Spark’s life and work. FREE Edinburgh All-Comers Writers Club Sofi’s, 65 Henderson Street, 555 7019. 7–10pm. See Tue 21.
Wednesday 5 Edinburgh New Edinburgh Writers Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street, 529 5616. 6–8pm. £0.50. See Wed 22.
Thursday 6
Glasgow ✽ An Evening With James Ellroy Mitchell Theatre, 6 Granville Street,
287 2999. 6–7pm. £5. James Ellroy discusses his latest novel, Perfidia.
Edinburgh Creative Writing for Beginners Scottish National Gallery, The Mound, 624 6560. 10.15am–12.45pm. £60 for four weeks (£55). Four-week course in creative writing. FREE Dolina Maclennan: An Island Girl's Journey Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 6–8pm. Dolina Maclennan talks about her autobiography, which charts her childhood growing up on Lewis to her adult years befriending behemoths of the Scot literature scene. Part of Carrying Stream Festival. FREE Lord Byron and John Murray II: An Extraordinary Publishing Relationship National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3734. 6pm. Dr Mary O’Connell explores the relationship between Lord Byron and his publisher John Murray. Peter F Hamilton: The Abyss Beyond Dreams Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street, 226 2666. 6pm. £3 (£2 with Waterstones loyalty card). Peter F Hamilton chats about his new book The Abyss Beyond Dreams. FREE Anita Govan: D is for Dragons Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue, 529 5558. 6.30pm. Anita Govan shares her story and some performance poetry. FREE That Dark Night: Poetry and Death St John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street, 229 7565. 6.30pm. Candlelit discussion and poetry reading on life, death, grief and memory.
Friday 7 Glasgow FREE Peter F Hamilton: The Abyss Beyond Dreams Waterstones, 153–157 Sauchiehall Street, 332 9105.