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

Gifford Lectures 2016, University of Glasgow

University of Glasgow – photography Jim Byrne

Gifford Lectures 2016: Sean Carroll – The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself Gifford Lectures Date: Wednesday 19 October 2016 – Thursday 27 October 2016 Time: 17:30 – 19:30 Venue: Bute Hall and Hunter Halls Category: Public lectures Speaker: Sean Carroll Downloads: Abstracts for the Gifford Lectures 2016 There […]

Read the full article: Gifford Lectures 2016, University of Glasgow

The Five STEPS to a Winning Mindset, Professor Damian Hughes 14 September, 2016 Waterstones Sauchiehall Street

damian hughes

14 September, 2016 Waterstones, 153-157 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EW In The Five STEPS to a Winning Mindset, Professor Damian Hughes, the acclaimed author of Liquid Thinking and How to Think Like Sir Alex Ferguson, draws on both his life time experience and academic background within sport, organisation and change psychology to reveal the best […]

Read the full article: The Five STEPS to a Winning Mindset, Professor Damian Hughes 14 September, 2016 Waterstones Sauchiehall Street

Stuart Cosgrove, Young Soul Rebels –Northern Soul Event The Admiral Bar Sat 27 August, 2016

stuart cosgrove the admiral bar

August’s DIVINE is a northern soul special of epic proportions! The Admiral Bar is very proud to welcome Stuart Cosgrove to launch his personal history of northern soul “YOUNG SOUL REBELS” in Glasgow, with a reading, a Q&A session, a book signing AND an exclusive guest DJ set at the club night Doors open at […]

Read the full article: Stuart Cosgrove, Young Soul Rebels –Northern Soul Event The Admiral Bar Sat 27 August, 2016

Scottish Writers’ Centre Silence and Other Stories with Tim Turnbull CCA Tue 13 September 2016

tim turnbull

Scottish Writers’ Centre Silence and Other Stories with Tim Turnbull Tue 13 September 2016 CCA 7pm, £6 (£3/Free for SWC Members) on the door, Clubroom 18+ 0141 352 4900 In the last five years, Tim Turnbull has made a transition from writer and performer of poems to short story writer, with a brief excursion into […]

Read the full article: Scottish Writers’ Centre Silence and Other Stories with Tim Turnbull CCA Tue 13 September 2016

Botanic Concrete Website Launch Thu 8 September 2016 Project Cafe

botanic concrete website launch

Botanic Concrete Website Launch Re-imagining Garnethill Thu 8 September 2016 6pm, Free but ticketed, at The Project Cafe, 134 Renfrew St All ages Book online / 0141 352 4900 Botanic Concrete has developed a new website for sharing community actions and tools for reimagination. The website will not only record the events and initiatives proposed […]

Read the full article: Botanic Concrete Website Launch Thu 8 September 2016 Project Cafe

Scottish Writers’ Centre Three Poets – Three Languages of Scotland, CCA Tue 30 August 2016

scottish writers centre

Scottish Writers’ Centre Three Poets – Three Languages of Scotland Tue 30 August 2016 7pm, £6 (£3) on the door, Free to SWC Members, Clubroom 18+ 0141 352 4900 Related CCA Events Scottish Writers’ Centre Silence and Other Stories with Tim Turnbull Tue 13 September 2016 Sheila Templeton, Maggie Rabatski and A.C. Clarke read and […]

Read the full article: Scottish Writers’ Centre Three Poets – Three Languages of Scotland, CCA Tue 30 August 2016

AH Proctor, Byres Road Book Festival, Hillhead Library 26 September, 2016

Thumble Tumble and the Ollpheist is a story about witches and dragons. As with all good fairy stories, there is the balance of good and evil. Come along and hear AH Proctor read Thumble Tumble and the Ollpheist – 3 to 4 p.m. Hillhead Library,348 Byres Road, Glasgow G12 8AP0141 276 1617

Read the full article: AH Proctor, Byres Road Book Festival, Hillhead Library 26 September, 2016

Book Launch: ‘And When I Die’ Russell D McLean, Waterstones Argyle St, 2 September, 2016

Book Launch: And When I Die, Russel D McLean Waterstones Argyle St 2 September 2016 Join us at Waterstones Argyle Street in Glasgow to celebrate the launch of AND WHEN I DIE, Russel’s first Glasgow-based crime thriller. Free entry, but do please let us know if you’re coming so we can get in enough wine […]

Read the full article: Book Launch: ‘And When I Die’ Russell D McLean, Waterstones Argyle St, 2 September, 2016

William Shakespeare’s Star Wars, Waterstones Sauchiehall St, Friday 26 August

star wars

With author Ian Doescher   Waterstones, 153 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3EW Come along for a night of Star Wars Shakespeare fun with author Ian Doescher as he reads from his series of Shakespeare Star Wars books and signs copies. We have a prize for those who really get into the spirit and dress up […]

Read the full article: William Shakespeare’s Star Wars, Waterstones Sauchiehall St, Friday 26 August

PEOPLE WHO WORK: A Creative Writing Workshop with Brian Whittingham 20 September, 2016

brian whittingham

PEOPLE WHO WORK: A Creative Writing Workshop with Brian Whittingham Spend the day learning and writing about what ‘Clydebuilt’ means amidst the shipbuilding heritage at the former working world of the Titan Crane. Titan Enterprise Office and Titan Crane: http://www.titanclydebank.com/get-directions.aspx Tuesday 20th September 2016 10:00 – 12:00: Presentation and seminar on the working history of […]

Read the full article: PEOPLE WHO WORK: A Creative Writing Workshop with Brian Whittingham 20 September, 2016

‘Communal Luxury: The Political Imaginary of the Paris Commune’ (2015) by Kristin Ross CCA 17 August, 2016

cities and bookmark

Cities & Bookmark: Reading Platform | ‘Communal Luxury: The Political Imaginary of the Paris Commune’ (2015) by Kristin Ross Wed 17 August 2016 7pm, Free and unticketed, Clubroom Ages: 15+ 0141 352 4900 Related CCA Events Cities Until Fri 30 September 2016 Please note this event will now start at 7pm. Kristin Ross’s new work […]

Read the full article: ‘Communal Luxury: The Political Imaginary of the Paris Commune’ (2015) by Kristin Ross CCA 17 August, 2016

The Haystack featuring a Q&A with Joanna Cherry CCA 17 August, 2015

scotish pen

Scottish PEN presents The Haystack A FREE screening of the documentary, The Haystack Featuring a Q&A with Joanna Cherry QC MP, Olivia Cappuccini and David Irvine  The CCA, 17th August, 6.15pm Did Orwell get it right, or is Big Brother bigger and more invasive now than ever envisaged? The Snowden revelations in 2013 demonstrated the […]

Read the full article: The Haystack featuring a Q&A with Joanna Cherry CCA 17 August, 2015

Gutter Magazine Issue 15 Glasgow Launch, Gesso, 19 August, 2016

gutter issue 15

Gutter – the Magazine of New Scottish Writing – presents a launch reading event for its Autumn 2016 issue. Post-Brexit, the theme of this issue is the ‘North Alantic Drift’ and it features work from Icelandic, Canadian, Scottish and Irish writers, including James Kelman, Malachy Tallack, Christie Williamson, Cynthia Rogerson, Au∂ur Jónsdóttir and many others, […]

Read the full article: Gutter Magazine Issue 15 Glasgow Launch, Gesso, 19 August, 2016

Poetry Apothecary with Rebecca Sharp CCA Sunday 18 September, 2016

poetry apothecary rebecca shap

  CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JD   11 a.m. – 4 p.m.   In this unique workshop, you will create a poem with a matching essential oil scent blend to take home. We will be exploring how the ingredients and techniques for composing and blending a scent can be compared to writing a poem, […]

Read the full article: Poetry Apothecary with Rebecca Sharp CCA Sunday 18 September, 2016

Liam McCormick’s debut pamphlet, ‘Why Do People Never Snap and Think They’re Buddha? review by Stephen Watt

Liam McCormick

Exhibiting a veritable flare for developing candid, memorable characters, young Glaswegian poet Liam McCormick’s debut collection of prose and poetry ‘Why do people never snap and think they’re Buddha’ is a blunt, impartial observation of adolescents in the west of Scotland finding their way through onerous school days and the daily evils which they bring. […]

Read the full article: Liam McCormick’s debut pamphlet, ‘Why Do People Never Snap and Think They’re Buddha? review by Stephen Watt

National Poetry Competition 2016 – closing date for submissions 31 October

poetry comp

National Poetry Competition The Poetry Society’s annual National Poetry Competition is for previously unpublished single poems and has a first prize of £5,000.  2016 The competition is now open for entries! Ten prizes First prize: £5000 Second prize: £2000 Third prize: £1000 Seven commendations: £200 each Winning poems are published on The Poetry Society website, and […]

Read the full article: National Poetry Competition 2016 – closing date for submissions 31 October

Doune, Doune, Doune The Rabbit Hole at McChuills, 11 August, 2016

doune the rabbit hole festival 2016

  McChuills, 40 High Street, G1 1NB Thursday, 11 August, 2016 – 8 p.m. A night of highlights from the SPOKEN WURD tent at DOUNE THE RABBITHOLE 2016 descends on McChuills on 11 August.  If you canny make the festival, it’s a chance to see what’s goin on. And if you’re sorted for Doune, come […]

Read the full article: Doune, Doune, Doune The Rabbit Hole at McChuills, 11 August, 2016

The Muse at St Louis, Brian Whittingham Wednesday 10 August, 2016

the muse brian whittingham 10 aug

West End Launch – ‘Sometimes I Radiate’ Everyone’s invited to another great night of literature at St Louis with host Linda Jaxson, who will also provide the musical entertainment with Tony Stallone. Glasgow Writer Brian Whittingham is the main guest of the evening and you can look forward to performances by the poet Finola Scott […]

Read the full article: The Muse at St Louis, Brian Whittingham Wednesday 10 August, 2016

Mary Irvine’s blog: literary goings on Dumbarton and Glasgow West End, July 2016

elephant book cover.jpg

Hiya! Feeling a wee bit guilty that I haven’t been writing of late, not just for this site but generally. I have been subject to a period of lethargy. The ideas are all there. It’s the physical effort that seems to be lacking. However, I have decided not to justify this state as ‘part of […]

Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s blog: literary goings on Dumbarton and Glasgow West End, July 2016

Kimberley Chambers and Anna Smith – crime writers in conversation Waterstones

kemberley chambers

  Waterstones 153 – 157 Sauchiehall Street G2 3EW Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 6:30 PM We are very pleased to welcome back two masters of Crime fiction Kimberley Chambers and Anna Smith as they discuss their latest novels and take questions from the audience. Speak to a bookseller or call 0141 332 9105 Anna […]

Read the full article: Kimberley Chambers and Anna Smith – crime writers in conversation Waterstones

Long Way From Glasgow a memoir by John Donaldson

long way from glasgow

John Donaldson’s memoir ‘Long Way From Glasgow’ is a fascinating read. It encompasses his life growing up in Glasgow during the Second World War and the years he spent in Canada building the trade union movement. John’s experiences are well worth chronicling including difficulties encountered in Africa and time spent in such far flung places […]

Read the full article: Long Way From Glasgow a memoir by John Donaldson

Book launch: I See You Clare Mackintosh Tuesday 26 July, 2016

i see you

Waterstones, Argyle Street  Tuesday 26 Jun, 2016  7 p.m. Clare Mackintosh, author of the explosive and spine-tingling debut thriller I LET YOU GO, launches her second novel I SEE YOU exclusively at Waterstones Argyle Street! Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to hear Clare talk about her powerful psychological thriller with BBC Scotland presenter and local […]

Read the full article: Book launch: I See You Clare Mackintosh Tuesday 26 July, 2016

Soundwaves Anthology Launch 26 July, 2016 Tron Theatre

sounwaves anthologylaunch

Soundwaves Anthology Launch 26 July, 2016 7 p.m. Tron Theatre, Victoria Bar, 63 Trongate G1 5HB Book Launch: New writing from the Federation of Writers (Scotland). Hugely entertaining – poems and prose, fiction and non-fiction. Don’t miss it! Event on Facebook Federation of Writers (Scotland)

Read the full article: Soundwaves Anthology Launch 26 July, 2016 Tron Theatre

Buy Buy Baby by Helen MacKinven, Waterstones Argyle Street, 19 July 2016

buy buy baby

Waterstones, 174 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 8AH   19 July, 2016 – 7 p.m.   Helen MacKinven will be in store to talk about and sign copies of her new novel, Buy Buy Baby; don’t miss the chance to meet this Glasgow author or her discussion of her latest project! ~~~~~ What price tag would you […]

Read the full article: Buy Buy Baby by Helen MacKinven, Waterstones Argyle Street, 19 July 2016

Jim Monaghan’s Safe Space 26 – 29 July, 2016 Govanhill Baths

jim monaghan

Jim Monaghan’s Safe Space   26 – 29 July, 2016   Jim Monaghan is totally fed up with people and their opinions so he has created a safe space for him and his friends to talk about the important issues that they want to talk about, such as “why moustaches?” or “why are young people […]

Read the full article: Jim Monaghan’s Safe Space 26 – 29 July, 2016 Govanhill Baths

Pauline Lynch – Armadillos: Meet the Author review by Calum Maclean

Pauline Lynch – Armadillos: Meet The Author Waterstones Sauchiehall Street 14/07/16 6.30pm Armadillos is Pauline Lynch’s debut novel, and it’s a fantastic read.  It tells the story of Aggie, a fifteen year old runaway, escaping from her abusive family and encountering a variety of characters, some trustworthy, some not, and attempting to survive alone in […]

Read the full article: Pauline Lynch – Armadillos: Meet the Author review by Calum Maclean

Scottish Writers’ Centre Ryan Van Winkle 2 August, 2016, CCA

ryan van winkle

Ryan Van Winkle on Intimacy: Reading, Hearing, Writing, and Feeling Poems Tuesday 2nd August 2016 7 pm Club Room, CCA 350 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JD Ryan Van Winkle is an Edinburgh-based poet, live artist, podcaster and critic. Through collaboration, small bespoke performances, immersive sets and analogue technology, Van Winkle creates performances which surprise, delight and […]

Read the full article: Scottish Writers’ Centre Ryan Van Winkle 2 August, 2016, CCA

Meet the author: PK Lynch, Armadillos, Waterstones Sauchiehall Street, 14 July, 2016

Pauline Lynch

Pauline Lynch, talking about her book Armadillos. 14 July, 2016 – 6.30 p.m. Waterstones, 153 – 157 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3EW Free event call 0141 332 9105 to reserve your place. Meet local author Pauline as she discusses and takes questions about her latest novel. Armadillos is a book about journeys that have to […]

Read the full article: Meet the author: PK Lynch, Armadillos, Waterstones Sauchiehall Street, 14 July, 2016

An Evening With James Kelman Thursday 21 July, 2016, Waterstones Sauchiehall St

dirt road james kelman

An Evening With James Kelman Thursday 21 July, 7 p.m. 153 – 157 Sauchiuehall Street, G2 3EW Join us in our basement cafe for an evening with author James Kelman. Tickets are £2 (£1 for Reward Card holders) and can reserved by calling 0141 332 9105 or speaking to a bookseller. From the Booker Prize-winning […]

Read the full article: An Evening With James Kelman Thursday 21 July, 2016, Waterstones Sauchiehall St

Summer Discussion Cities | Chantal Akerman – News from Home (16mm print) CCA 12 July, 2016

chantal akerman

Cities | Chantal Akerman – News from Home (16mm print) Tue 12 July 2016 6.30pm, Free but ticketed, Cinema All ages Book online / 0141 352 4900 Related CCA Events Summer Discussion: Cities Fri 1 July — Wed 31 August 2016 News from Home – 16mm print Dir. Chantal Akerman; introduction by Ainslie Roddick (CCA […]

Read the full article: Summer Discussion Cities | Chantal Akerman – News from Home (16mm print) CCA 12 July, 2016

chantal akerman

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