GRAEME MACRAE BURNET Waterstones West End, Edinburgh, Wed 1 Nov, graememacraeburnet. wordpress.com See review, page 75. Also Waterstones, Falkirk, Thu 30 Nov. Mon 27 Nov–Sun 3 Dec, bookweekscotland.com 2017’s lineup features a writing workshop with Liz Lochhead, a family day with Metaphrog and conversations with Denise Mina, Chris Brookmyre and Lin Anderson.
BOOK WEEK SCOTLAND Various venues, Scotland, METAPHROG Langside Library, Glasgow, Sat 2 Dec,
H I T L I S T
metaphrog.com Glasgow-based duo Metaphrog talk about comics and graphic novels and how they create their stories.
MESSAGE FROM THE SKIES Various venues, Edinburgh, Mon 1–Thu 25 Jan, edinburghshogmanay. com Read a new story by leading Scottish writer Val McDermid, told through projections onto Edinburgh’s buildings and landmarks.
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Highlights | BOOKS MURIEL SPARK CENTENARY SYMPOSIUM Glasgow University, Wed 31 Jan –Fri 2 Feb, murielspark100.com This symposium explores the writing of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie author Muriel Spark, in the year of her 100th birthday. See preview, page 75.
BOOKS HIGHLIGHTS
Events are listed by city, then date. Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add
Hollie McNish
GLASGOW
DIAS DE LOS MUERTES CCA, Thu 2 Nov, dovetalesscotland. co.uk Poets AC Clarke and Sheila Templeton take part in readings in an event chaired by Liz Niven. JUNE SARPONG Waterstones Sauchiehall Street, Thu 2 Nov, waterstones.co.uk June Sarpong MBE discusses her book, Diversify, where she casts a spotlight on six marginalised groups and reveals how a lack of inclusivity limits our economy, our society, and us as individuals.
JOHN HEGLEY: PEACE, LOVE & POTATOES Òran Mór, Thu 2 Nov, oran-mor. co.uk The reigning lord of comic verse performs some treats from his new poetry collection. STORY CAFE Glasgow Women’s Library, Thu 2 Nov, womenslibrary.org.uk Author Ajay Close reads from her book, The Daughter of Lady Macbeth.
LIN ANDERSON Elder Park Library, Mon 27 Nov, lin-anderson.com The Scottish crime writer and founder of Bloody Scotland talks about the twelfth book in the Rhona MacLeod series, Follow the Dead.
JUDY MURRAY Tue 28 Nov, Mitchell Library, glasgowlife.org.uk Judy Murray discusses her autobiography, Knowing the Score. Also Wed 29 Nov, The Brunton, Musselburgh, thebrunton. co.uk TOM RUSSELL: GODFATHER OF ROCK Library at the Bridge, Tue 28 Nov, tomrussellrocks.com Radio DJ Tom Russell discusses his long career in the
music industry. Also Bridgeton Library, Thu 30 Nov. WOMEN, WATER & WHEELS Arlington Baths Club, Wed 29 Nov, womenslibrary.org.uk Enjoy inspiring stories of the pioneers of women’s sport with Jenny Landreth, author of Swell: A Waterbiography and The Guardian swimming blog.
HER SPIRIT SOARED Tramway, Thu 30 Nov, womenslibrary.org.uk Stories of survival and hope from women moving on from abuse.
CHRIS MCQUEER Partick Library, Thu 30 Nov, chrismcqueer.wordpress.com Chris McQueer reads from his debut collection of short stories, Hings. If you like Limmy’s Daft Wee Stories, Hings is probably also your ’hing. See 404 Ink feature, page 43. THE DARK SIDE OF REALITY WITH JEAN RAFFERTY CCA, Tue 5 Dec, scottishwriterscentre.org.uk Author Jean Rafferty explores the process of using real life in fiction.
HERLAND: ALTER NATIVE BURNS Glasgow Women’s Library, Fri 26 Jan, womenslibrary.org.uk An alternative Burns Night with song and storytelling in Gaelic & Scots from female creatives. EDINBURGH
STUART ASHEN Waterstones Fort Kinnaird, Wed 1 Nov, waterstones.co.uk YouTube sensation signs copies of his latest book Attack of the Flickering Skeletons. WILFRED OWEN 100 YEARS LATER Scottish Poetry Library, Fri 3 Nov, scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk On the centenary of the day the war poet Wilfred Owen left Edinburgh, the SPL is staging a panel discussion on Owen’s legacy.
LONGING, BELONGING & BALFOUR Scottish Storytelling Centre, Sat 4 Nov, tracscotland.org Music and spoken word concert weaving together Jewish, Palestinian and British storylines. CHRIS BROOKMYRE Blackwell’s, Wed 8 Nov, blackwell.
co.uk Brookmyre discusses his newest book Places in the Darkness, a crime novel set in space. See feature, page 23. Also Sloans, Glasgow, Thu 9 Nov, waterstones.com IAN RANKIN The Caves, Thu 9 Nov The Scottish crime writer on his life, inspirations and plans for the future.
JENNIFER EGAN Waterstones West End, Thu 16 Nov, jenniferegan.com The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Visit from the Goon Squad reads from her latest novel, Manhattan Beach. THIS IS IT! LITERARY CABARET Central Hall, Thu 23 Nov, literaturealliancescotland.co.uk A 90-minute sprint through the highlights of 2017’s literary happenings.
DILYS ROSE Amnesty Bookshop, Edinburgh, Wed 29 Nov, scottishbooktrust.com/ book-week-scotland The historical fiction author talks about her novel Unspeakable. COLD TURKEY Summerhall, Fri 1 Dec, summerhall. co.uk Music from Withered Hand and Frightened Rabbit’s Scott Hutchison, plus poems and spoken word from Hollie McNish and Michael Pedersen.
EDINBURGH COMIC ART FESTIVAL Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Sat 2 Dec, comicartfestival.co.uk A weekend of new authors, new comic books and new comic art talent. Rachael Stott, artist for Star Trek, Ghostbusters and Dr Who, is the guest of honour.
HAVE YOURSELF A LITERARY CHRISTMAS CCA, Tue 19 Dec, scottishwriterscentre.org.uk A festive evening of readings, performances and slams from members of the Scottish Writers’ Centre. The guest writer is Jim Ferguson. 1 Nov 2017–31 Jan 2018 THE LIST 77