Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events.

hyndland bookshop inside

Books, talks and poetry events. Glasgow has everything on offer for lovers of literature, including major book festivals, book launches, poetry slams and spoken word open mics.

Plenty to choose from with events showcasing new talent as well as acclaimed writers and poets.

Events and New Books To Watch Out For

Balloch Open Mic Blog: Dora Wright

Dora Wright has been a stalwart supporter of the Open Mic at the Balloch House Hotel from the beginning. She is also a member of the Leven Litts and Clydebank groups of writers. Mary Irvine’s Interview with Dora When did you start writing Poetry? I started writing poetry after a bad fall, when I fell […]

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Graeme Macrae Burnet – Glasgow Writer

CJ Monk Graeme Macrae Burnet

‘Case Study;’, longlisted for Booker Prize 2022 and shortlisted for Gordon Burn Prizeand Book of the Year in 2021 by The Spectator, The Scotsman and Waterstones Graeme will appear at ‘Meet the Author’ Byres Road Book Festival, 25 September, Hillhead Library. Graeme Macrae Burnet at Aye Write 2022 – 15 May 3 p.m. The Mitchell […]

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Poetry Launch Party – Jim Ferguson and Kirsty Taylor

turbulent twenties launch party

Saturday 18 September, 2021 7 p.m. – 10p.m Whirlpool Press and Scotland in Europe invite you to the launch of  12 Dead Keys by Jim Ferguson and Turbulent Twenties by Kirsty Taylor. The Old Toll Bar, 3 Paisley Road West, Glasgow G51 3LF Free entry – All welcome Also celebrating Jim Ferguson’s 60th birthday. Music […]

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Lin Anderson on Bloody Scotland 2021

lin anderson photo

(Linn Anderson photo by John Anderson) Bloody Scotland 2021 is just two weeks away! In the run up to the festival,  some members of the board were asked about their must-see events, as well as their best memories of the festival. Lin Anderson Lin Anderson is a co-founder of the Bloody Scotland festival and writer […]

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Bernard Maclaverty Creative Conversations

bernard maclaverty robert burns

Thursday, 16 September 2021 at 15:00 Glasgow University Memorial Chapel – University Avenue – Glasgow G12 8QQ Creative Conversations: Bernard MacLaverty in conversation with Professor Louise Welsh About this event Creative Conversations returns to the University Chapel for the first in-person event for over 18 months. They are delighted to announce their inaugural guest of […]

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Tuesday, August 31, 2021 | Filed under: Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events

Autumn Creative Writing Courses – Dr Tawnya Selene Renelle

Dr. Tawnya Selene Renelle

Dr. Tawnya Selene Renelle – Experimental writer, performer and educator Courses start 20 and 21st September, 2021.  12 week course – Sign up for full course or select specific weeks. All workshops are writing intensive and designed to get you experimenting in your writing. Hybrid and Experimental Memoir Classes in Family, Fiction, Essay and Research, […]

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Magi Gibson – Audacious Women Festival

magi gibson hat audcious women

Monday 20 September, 2021 at 7 p.m. Online Buy tickets Magi will read from and talk about her latest poetry collection, ‘I Like Your Hat’ in which she ‘rips up the linoleum and lays bare the world. Profound, heartrending & at times hilarious, these are extraordinary poems from the heart of an extraordinary poet’ (Ali […]

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Walking and Writing in the Botanics with Gerry Loose

The Kibble Palace in The Botanic Gardens

25 August, 8 September, 2021, 1.30 p.m. – 3 p.m. Creative Writing inspired by Glasgow Botanic Gardens About this event A series of mystery walks where you will discover the hidden treasures of Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens, where you can stroll, talk, stand & stare, read & write – moving slowly through Summer to Autumn . […]

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Walking and Writing with Lesley O’Brien, Glasgow Green

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Creative Writing Workshops in Glasgow Green Spark My Words with nature, song and stories Free Dates: 2 September, 2021 (11 a.m. – 1 p.m) Book at Eventbrite A Series of Min-Adventures A series of mini-adventures exploring the familiar in a new way to spark your imagination and creative writing. Meeting Place The rendez-vous point is […]

Read the full article: Walking and Writing with Lesley O’Brien, Glasgow Green

Balloch Open Mic returns to Balloch House Hotel

room-open-mic-alexandria-balloch room

Monday, 6th September, 2021 at 7 p.m. Delighted to announce that Balloch Open Mic will resume as normal.  Come along early to Balloch House Hotel and book your 5 minute slot. No headliner for this event. Will be brilliant to see, and hear, all the usual suspects. Thanks for participating on Zoom.  See you on […]

Read the full article: Balloch Open Mic returns to Balloch House Hotel

Poets’ Time, Book Launch

poets time book

26 August, 2021 The Playhouse at Websters, 416 Great Western Road, Kelvinbridge G4 9HZ Launch of Poets’ Time an Anthology edited by Linda Jackson, published by Seahorses Publications –  a book looking at causes in their time, Covid Time and what time means to us. Performing will be the Linda Jackson Trio plus guest writers […]

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Book Festival – Govanhill International Festival 2021

she settles in the shields

Mohandas Gandhi: Experiments in Civil Disobedience, Author Talk by Dr Talat Ahmed Wednesday 04 August, 5:00 to 6:00pm Online event Mohandas Gandhi, icon of Indian liberation, remains an inspiration for anti-capitalists and peace activists globally. His campaigns for national liberation based on non-violence and mass civil disobedience were critical to defeating the power of the […]

Read the full article: Book Festival – Govanhill International Festival 2021

‘There’s a Problem with Dad’ by Carlos Alba

Dad cover v3 low res

Launched: May 11, 2021 – Price: £9.99 Ringwood Publishing – Buy the book. ‘There’s a Problem with Dad, explores the issue of undiagnosed, high functioning autism among adults and the problems it creates for those with the condition and those around them.’ About the book: George Lovelace has always done everything by the book – […]

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Govanhill International Festival 2021

govanhill festival and carnival

2nd – 15th August, 2021 The Govanhill International Festival and Carnival is back: bigger, brighter and bolder than ever before! Now in its fifth year, the festival began in 2016 as an antidote to racism towards migrant communities from Eastern Europe in Govanhill. It started as a carnival, parade and weekend of music, aiming to […]

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Scribblers Union Digital Gig Series

scribblers gig

Various Dates – July, 2021 The Scribbler’s Union is back for a series of digital gigs showcasing the hottest new voices in spoken word. Join on facebook.com/scribblersunion where they’ll be streaming live from 7pm on each of the following dates: Monday 5th July Tuesday 6th July Monday 12th July Tuesday 13th July Each show will […]

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Bloody Scotland – Crime Debut of the Year 2021

Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival are delighted to reveal the shortlist for Crime Debut of 2021. The Silent Daughter by Emma Christie (Wellbeck) No Harm Done by Alistair Liddle (Self Published) Edge of the Grave by Robbie Morrison (Macmillan) Waking the Tiger by Mark Wightman (Hobeck Books) The winner will be judged by Janice Forysth from BBC Radio […]

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Monday, June 28, 2021 | Filed under: Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events

Brian Whittingham – Writing Walks in Kelvingrove

26 aug walk brian kelvingrove

Walking, Writing Photography Mindfulness Sessions – facilitated by Brian Whittingham Thursday 26 August, 2021 at 10.30 a.m. Meet at Lord Kelvin’s Statue in Kelvingrove Park. Guided Walk exploring the social fabric of the park. Where you will join in the walk, talk, reading, writing and taking photographs. You will take paths less-travelled that will allow […]

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Three Lockdown Poets at Avant Garde

linda jackon avant garde july 2021

26 July, 2021 at 7 p.m. The Muse @ Avant Garde Host Linda Jackson – Featuring Three Seahorse Lockdown Poets: Lesley Benzie, Donna Campbell and George Gibson Sax music from Gordon Dickson Free event. Call to book your table – even if not eating.  0141 552 7123 Books available to buy at Seahorse Publications

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Monday, June 21, 2021 | Filed under: Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events

Independent Bookshop Week 2021

independent bookshop week 2021

19 – 26 June, 2021 Celebrate our independent bookshops Check out the range of events, celebrations, reading groups, literary lunches taking place on and offline. Part of the Books Are My Bag campaign and is run by the Booksellers Association, and seeks to celebrate independent bookshops all over the UK and Ireland. SARAH MOSS AND […]

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Tell it slant, Glasgow: Book Launch: A Bird Is Not A Stone.

alasdair and abla oudeh

Last week (2 June, 2014) I went along to Tell it slant, Poetry Shop, 134 Renfrew Street, for the launch of A Bird is Not a Stone; an anthology of contemporary Palestinian poetry. The collection features poetry by 25 contemporary Palestinian poets and as many Scots writers, including the makar Liz Lochhead, Costa Award winner […]

Read the full article: Tell it slant, Glasgow: Book Launch: A Bird Is Not A Stone.

Red Squirrel Press – Launch of Three Publications

red squirrell press

22 June, 2021 at 7 p.m. until 8.30 p.m. Red Squirrell Press Launch of Ellen McAteer’s, ‘Honesty Mirror’ also Billy Bonar’s ‘The Stuff of the Earth’ and Elizabeth Rimmer’s ‘The Well of the Moon.’ Red Squirrel Press invites you to the launch of three publications, Ellen McAteer’s debut pamphlet, Honesty Mirror, Billy Bonar’s first full-length […]

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#StreamMyStory Children’s Online Events Summer 2021

Scottish Public Libraries host #StreamMyStory author events online for children to enjoy in the summer holidays. Launching 17 June, 2021  Local Public Libraries across Scotland launch a new series of children’s digital events for the end of term and summer holidays, entitled #StreamMyStory, bringing together authors, illustrators, storytellers and libraries from across all 32 local […]

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Women’s Library – In Conversation with Paria Goodarzi

Paria-Goodarzi w l

22nd June, 2021  at 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Free, Online Event Highlighting and Celebrating the work of Paria Goodarzi Part of Series of Events  at Women’s Library Glasgow – ‘In Conversation with….’ Women of Colour creatives in Scotland.  Talking to emerging and established women creatives about their life, creative practice, key projects and future […]

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Bloody Scotland 2021 McIlvanney Prize Long List Announced

The McIlvanney Prize recognises excellence in Scottish crime writing, and includes a prize of £1,000 and nationwide promotion in Waterstones. Five years ago the Scottish Crime Book of the Year Award was renamed the McIlvanney Prize in memory of William McIlvanney. His  his final book, The Dark Remains has now been completed with the help […]

Read the full article: Bloody Scotland 2021 McIlvanney Prize Long List Announced

The Owner of the Sea – Richard Price readings and discussion

the owner of the sea

Wednesday, 23 June, 2021 at 7 p.m. Please join Carcanet Press to celebrate the launch of The Owner of the Sea: Three Inuit Stories Retold, the new collection by Richard Price. Hosting the reading will be fellow Carcanet poet, David Kinloch, joining Richard to discuss the new edition. The event will feature readings and discussion, […]

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Bernard MacLaverty: Glasgow Writer

bernard profile

Bernard MacLaverty, special guest at SCAP (Seahorse Creative Arts and Publications) Summer Festival, Saturday 26 August, 2023. Scottish Writers Over 70 Talking About Creativity in Later Life – part of Book Week Scotland in Association with Aye Write! Mitchell Theatre, Wednesday, 21 November, 2018 Bernard MacLaverty, Book Week Scotland, Kelvin Hall, 2 December, 2017 Bernard […]

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Sunday, June 13, 2021 | Filed under: Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, writers, Writing

Glasgow Writers: Theresa Talbot

theresa-talbot

Theresa Talbot is a Glaswegian author and freelance broadcaster/journalist – as Traffic and Travel on BBC Radio Scotland her voice is familiar to many. I met up with her at BBC, Pacific Quay just after her 2 p.m. radio stint and enjoyed chatting about her blossoming career as a writer. Theresa could not be more […]

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Saturday, June 12, 2021 | Filed under: Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, writers

Scottish Books Long Weekend

Books From Scotland – The Best Of Scottish Books 10 – 13 June, 2021 booksfromscotland.com/scottish-books-long-weekend The Scottish Books Long Weekend is a celebration of Scotland’s rich and diverse writing and publishing landscape. From Thursday 10th June to Sunday 13th June, BooksfromScotland and Publishing Scotland bring you a bounty of book events. Showcasing thrillers, teenage dreams […]

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Meet the Poet: Marcus Slease & Colin Herd

meet the poet marcus slease and colin herd

 9th June, 2021 – 8pm until 9pm Event by Home Stage Two of Boiler House Press’s published poets: Marcus Slease and Colin Herd for a live hour of poetry reading, discussion, and answering questions from the online audience. Be sure to tune in, all for free! See Event on Facebook Marcus Slease Marcus Slease is a […]

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Balloch Open Mic on Zoom

balloch house hotel

Join Zoom Meeting – Balloch Writers’ Open Mic Headliner is Julie McNeill, prose and poetry writer, The first makar of the SWNT (Scottish Women’s national Football team) Monday 9th Join On Zoom Meeting ID: 868 5436 9222 Passcode: 9XKffC Also performing are: Catriona Malan Steven Hastings Lisa Murray Diane McKee Graham Morgan Ann MacKinnon  Dora […]

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balloch house hotel

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