Aye Write 2020: Memoirs and Confessions – Justified Sinners Speakeasy

18 March, 2020
The Mitchell Library, North Street, G3 7DN 6 p.m. – 7.30 p.m.
Cheeky Besom Productions are Celebrating 250th Anniversary of James Hogg
Dr Adrian Hunter, senior lecturer of English Studies at Stirling University said. “James Hogg is one of the great literary geniuses of the 19th century whose work is just as relevant now as it once was” Cheeky Besom Productions are celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the ‘Ettrick Shepherd,’ James Hogg (1770-1835) in our partnership with Aye Write! Festival 2020. This is an opportunity for writers of all levels to share their patterns, themes, and stories, that shape their work inspired by James Hogg or come along and read one of his poems.
A Borders Poet

James Hogg portrait by Sir John Watson Gordon
A Borders poet, James Hogg was born in the Ettrick Valley and worked almost all of his life as a shepherd. His talent for writing was discovered by Sir Walter Scott, to whom he had sent poems for The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. His works include, The Queen’s Wake (1813), the story of the return of Mary Queen of Scots, to Scotland after her long stay in France. It was immediately recognised as a major achievement and his reputation as a leading poet of his generation was established. Hogg published several more volumes of verse and a number of novels including, The Perils of Man: or War, Women and Witchcraft (1822) and The Three Perils of Woman (1823) amongst others. He had 39 volumes published during his lifetime and was known on both sides of the Atlantic. He established friendships with Byron, John Murray, Wordsworth and Southey, and was asked on to the editorial board of Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine. He combined farming with writing, producing his most significant work, The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner (1824). “
Seeking Readers and Performers
CALLING ALL CREATIVES and justified sinners – seeking readers/performers to share their work inspired by the theme, ‘Memoirs & Confessions,’ and it’s open to your interpretation. Whatever sparks your imagination, anything goes! Readings of James Hogg’s work also encouraged. Each artist will be given a 5-minute slot to be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Slot times will be shared on the night.
To secure a slot Contact Ruby McCann: mccannruby@gmail.com .
Host for the evening is Jim Ferguson
Cheeky Besom Productions: ‘Artists with Attitude’: Derek J Brown, (poet), Jim Ferguson (poet, writer, and critic), Louise Malone (artist), Maria Marchidanu (writer/performer), Ruby McCann, (flâneuse) and Musicians in Residence, Jaded Lilies: ( Jeanette Hill, Hugh Stewart and Carol Jamnejad). A Glasgow based artist collective. “We devise concepts and collaborate to create: sharing knowledge, making and creating, for the love of literature, art, and music. We champion artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives.”
This is a FREE Event for All
Cheeky Besom Productions at Aye Write 2020
This section: Aye Write 2020, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Events, Fairs, Festivals and Fundraisers, Free Events
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