Glasgow Writers: Stephen Watt, Poet
Stephen Watt – Scottish poet and spoken word artist Stephen Watt was born in Dumbarton in 1979, and is a Scottish poet and spoken word artist. He is the author of the poetry collection ‘Spit’, and was crowned the Poetry Rivals Slam Champion in Peterborough in 2011 after beating 8,000 entrants. Since then, Stephen’s online […]
Read the full article: Glasgow Writers: Stephen Watt, Poet
Monday, May 2, 2016 | Filed under: writers
Glasgow Writer: Micheal Norton
Micheal Norton is an Irish writer from a rural background in Tipperary. He lived and studied in Galway for ten years, initially at the Institute of Technology before undertaking a Masters in Script Writing at the National University of Ireland. For the past five years he has lived in Glasgow. He enjoys reading books by […]
Read the full article: Glasgow Writer: Micheal Norton
| Filed under: Ten Writers Telling Lies, writers, Writing
Glasgow Writers: Phil Murnin
Phillip Murnin is a fiction writer, who has gained numerous awards for his work. He studied M.Litt Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow, where he won The Sceptre Prize for emerging writers. In 2014 he was awarded the Scottish Book Trust, New Writers’ Award 2014 and, in 2012, the Gillian Purvis Award for New […]
Read the full article: Glasgow Writers: Phil Murnin
Monday, April 25, 2016 | Filed under: Ten Writers Telling Lies, writers
The Carbeth Clearances
The Carbeth Clearances: An Item For The Land Reform Agenda. Ten miles north of Glasgow at Carbeth, over 100 tenants face eviction from their homes, or rather huts, they built at their own expense. For the best part of a century~ these huts, for which the tenants traditionally paid a fairly low ground rent, have […]
Read the full article: The Carbeth Clearances
Tuesday, April 12, 2016 | Filed under: Ian Mitchell
Phil Murnin: Glasgow Writer
Phillip Murnin is a fiction writer, who has gained numerous awards for his work. He studied M.Litt Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow, where he won The Sceptre Prize for emerging writers. In 2014 he was awarded the Scottish Book Trust, New Wriiters’ Award 2014 and, in 2012, the Gillian Purvis Award for New […]
Read the full article: Phil Murnin: Glasgow Writer
Sunday, April 10, 2016 | Filed under: writers
Glasgow Writers: Gillian Margaret Mayes
Gillian Mayes started writing in diaries when she was eleven. A pursuit she abandoned when her children learned to read. As an academic, at the University of Glasgow, where she is now Honorary Research Fellow (School of Psychology & Neuroscience), she wrote many journal articles, reviews, research reports and co-authored a book, Child Sexual Abuse’. […]
Read the full article: Glasgow Writers: Gillian Margaret Mayes
Sunday, March 27, 2016 | Filed under: Ten Writers Telling Lies, writers, Writing
Glasgow Writers: James Carson
It’s always a pleasure to read James Carson’s stories – a thoughtful communicator and great listener with an irreverent sense of humour, he has an abundance of gifts to bring to the task of story telling and, with his talent for mimicry, it’s also a joy to watch him perform. James demonstrates an enviable dedication […]
Read the full article: Glasgow Writers: James Carson
Dream Lover Two by Ian Macpherson – a love story for Valentine’s Day
from The Book of Blaise In daylight I can always tell when Blaise is upset. The face gives it away. At 4.32am, however, I have to rely on vocal hints. Sobs. Suppressed sniffles. The rustle of yet another tissue being removed from its box. Often all three in that order. Sob, sniffle, rustle. Sob, sniffle, […]
Read the full article: Dream Lover Two by Ian Macpherson – a love story for Valentine’s Day
Saturday, February 13, 2016 | Filed under: Love Poems, Stories and Tales from Glasgow writers, Writing
One Track by Maggie Graham – a love poem for Valentine’s Day
One Track Through the train window I saw On the platform A handsome guy hitch up his jeans And felt a jolt That wasn’t the train For it wasn’t moving At all When we met I told you And you laughed And we kissed. For it was you Love Always Only you Maggie Graham […]
Read the full article: One Track by Maggie Graham – a love poem for Valentine’s Day
Friday, February 12, 2016 | Filed under: Love Poems, Stories and Tales from Glasgow writers, Valentine's Day Glasgow 2016, Writing
‘Fact’ by Magi Gibson – a love poem for Valentine’s Day
Fact I can no more say how much I love you than number the stars in the midnight sky I can no more say how much I love you than count the grains of sand on a beach catch the wind in my fist shimmy with the northern lights guess the name of […]
Read the full article: ‘Fact’ by Magi Gibson – a love poem for Valentine’s Day
| Filed under: Love Poems, Stories and Tales from Glasgow writers, Valentine's Day Glasgow 2016, Writing
Out of Sight by Ciara MacLaverty: a poem about love.
Out of Sight The best thing You do for me is to let me be as I am (better than I do for myself, I add) and when necessary you meet my what if it doesn’ts with a what if it does… You teach me more than you know- though I don’t always tell you […]
Read the full article: Out of Sight by Ciara MacLaverty: a poem about love.
Thursday, February 11, 2016 | Filed under: Love Poems, Stories and Tales from Glasgow writers, Poetry, Valentine's Day Glasgow 2016, What's On Glasgow West End: cinema, clubs, theatre, music, events, festivals, community and more
The Question by Calum Maclean. A Love Poem (of sorts).
The Question Darling, I can see that you’ve been looking at me strangely, I sense the question coming, ‘Do you ever want to change me?’ A threatening predicament, and one we’d best avoid; your mobile rings, you take the call, inside I’m overjoyed. Later, on the sofa, while I’m watching CSI, you turn to me […]
Read the full article: The Question by Calum Maclean. A Love Poem (of sorts).
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 | Filed under: Love Poems, Stories and Tales from Glasgow writers, Valentine's Day Glasgow 2016, What's On Glasgow West End: cinema, clubs, theatre, music, events, festivals, community and more, Writing
First Love – a poem by Leela Soma for Valentine’s Day
First Love My first love, teen fresh, skin aglow A pearly sunny summer, so, so slow, Kisses rich, fondles and caresses mellow Our hearts and minds entwined, not low. Your breath on my skin, touch so soft That summer blue, the azure sky, the lot Laughter and love, like a cloying sweet Wonder now, […]
Read the full article: First Love – a poem by Leela Soma for Valentine’s Day
A Valentine’s Story: 24 Hours in the City of Love by James Carson
24 hours in the city of love If your relationship’s in need of rekindling, why not spend Valentine’s Day in Paris, the capital of romance! What to bring As a woman with a passionate nature, the most important thing you should carry on this trip is a massive grudge from last week, when you returned […]
Read the full article: A Valentine’s Story: 24 Hours in the City of Love by James Carson
Saturday, February 6, 2016 | Filed under: Love Poems, Stories and Tales from Glasgow writers, Valentine's Day Glasgow 2016, Writing
Selkie’s Song by Finola Scott
A poem about love. ‘Selkie’s Song’ published in NVP Anthology ‘The Second Tide’ Selkie’s Song From the depth of the blue night I waken. Slip sliding back beneath the white crests of sheets, shivering, I feel you barely waking, reach out and pull me in close. Snuggled up I’m anchored. Your sea-serpent arms hold me […]
Read the full article: Selkie’s Song by Finola Scott
Friday, February 5, 2016 | Filed under: Love Poems, Stories and Tales from Glasgow writers, Valentine's Day Glasgow 2016, Writing
Love Poem by Stephen Watt: I Think I’m Falling In Love With Football
I Think I’m Falling In Love With Football Saturday mornings are looking different. Fog has fallen upon the football pitches,covering every inch like a cathedral train.A delicious wispiness coruscates diamantesin the early rain; flares of white paintstreak up each wing into exploding corner flags of colour. Nets are hung over posts like bridal veils.Excited, barking […]
Read the full article: Love Poem by Stephen Watt: I Think I’m Falling In Love With Football
Wednesday, February 3, 2016 | Filed under: Love Poems, Stories and Tales from Glasgow writers, Stephen Watt, Poet., Writing
The Old Baths – Christina Byrne
Social History Essay on Clydebank by Christina Byrne Go for a swim these days and you’ll find yourself in something called a Leisure Centre. Swish and sophisticated it will have rooms with sprung dance floors and wall to wall mirrors for aerobic classes, a gym with lethal machines to trim, tone and torture, possibly a […]
Read the full article: The Old Baths – Christina Byrne
Sunday, January 3, 2016 | Filed under: Christina Byrne, Writing
First School by Christina Byrne
(The Clydebank Blitz, evacuation, coupons and going to primary school) We had been blitzed out of our house and evacuated to Airdrie. There we lived with a family of two adults and four children in a three-bedroomed house. Whilst some folk in our street went to live in large mansion-type houses, our hosts had a […]
Read the full article: First School by Christina Byrne
Wednesday, December 30, 2015 | Filed under: Christina Byrne, Writing
Christina Byrne – 17th December, 1936 – 17th December, 2012
A beautiful song Jim wrote in memory of his mother: Promise That We’ll Meet Again It was a terrible shock to her friends and family when Christina Byrne, my mother-in-law, did not recover from a heart operation just before Christmas, 2012. Christina, or Rena as she was also known, will be very much missed. She […]
Read the full article: Christina Byrne – 17th December, 1936 – 17th December, 2012
Sunday, December 27, 2015 | Filed under: Christina Byrne
Glass Nylons and Woollen Combinations by Christina Byrne
Starting work in Clydebank in the 50’s ‘You can start on Monday and the wage is 29/6d. a week with 2/5d. off for National Insurance.’ It was 1951 and I had been offered my first job. I was to work in the Scotch Wool and Hosiery Stores in Glasgow Road, Clydebank. I started at nine […]
Read the full article: Glass Nylons and Woollen Combinations by Christina Byrne
| Filed under: Christina Byrne, Writing
Fiona Alderman: A Peaceful Christmas Greeting from Rural France
A peaceful Christmas greeting After a month’s trouble in France let’s hope that the festive period is calm, wherever we live. Here in rural France life carries on as usual and there are lots of Christmas markets and musical events that have been quietly getting underway. In Salignac, the cluster of fairy lights decorating the […]
Read the full article: Fiona Alderman: A Peaceful Christmas Greeting from Rural France
Thursday, December 24, 2015 | Filed under: Christmas Poems , Stories and Winter Tales, Fiona Alderman blogging from The Salignac Foundation France, Writing, Writing for the Festive Season 2015
Café Noir by James Carson
Inspector Bjørn Torvik was in heaven. As the scorching Costa Rican sun warmed his weathered face, Torvik’s senses were immersed in the incredible fragrances drifting across from the coffee plantation. He could almost taste the full-bodied fruitiness, the sweetness of caramel, the hint of vanilla. If he just reached out, he could – An explosion […]
Read the full article: Café Noir by James Carson
Saturday, December 19, 2015 | Filed under: Christmas Poems , Stories and Winter Tales, Writing for the Festive Season 2015
Some Winter Poems by Maria Venditozzi
The invalid January hobbles along un balan ced Paying for the consequences of December Nothing to do but learn… Premature The weather changed to snow confetti –fluttered showers, soft as baby’s breath.Kissed her eyelids, cooled her burning tears.They lowered the coffin, laid her child to rest. Pause for […]
Read the full article: Some Winter Poems by Maria Venditozzi
Thursday, December 17, 2015 | Filed under: Christmas Poems , Stories and Winter Tales, Writing, Writing for the Festive Season 2015
Would You have saved me? A poem In memory of Aylan Kurdi and family by Karrieanne McCafferty
In memory of Aylan and family by Karrieanne McCafferty Karrieanne McCafferty was inspired to write this poem after seeing the horrific images of Aylan, the little boy, whose body was carried from the beach when his family was attempting to flee war torn Syria. ‘It struck me that it took such tragic images, highlighting the […]
Wednesday, September 9, 2015 | Filed under: stories and poems, Writing
Mary Irvine: Blogging about Greece: Aegina
Hello there,I know it’s been a long time but in mitigation I have been busy over-seeing the production of four books, the creation of a DVD and sets of laminated images for a local project involving material for use with people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.‘Aegina’ was in the ‘to be finished’ box. I understand the majority […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine: Blogging about Greece: Aegina
Tuesday, June 30, 2015 | Filed under: Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene, Writing
The American Dream? – poem by Leela Soma
Tribes that stayed true to nature, Cherokee, ApacheSioux overpowered decimated and sent to reservationsThe red of their veins in the soil of the nation The blue of the settler’s eyes reflected in the skyThe white of foaming rivers trailing in the shipsOf enslaved men, women and children from Africa They built this nation forged in red, white […]
Read the full article: The American Dream? – poem by Leela Soma
Saturday, June 20, 2015 | Filed under: Leela Soma writing and blogging, stories and poems, Writing
Excerpts from Chris Dolan’s Potter’s Field and Aliyyah
ALIYYAH – an excerpt Once Haldane woke everything was white. White ceiling, white walls, a white door open just enough to reveal a white corridor beyond. He moved his head and felt a murmur of pain somewhere. On the far wall the white was finally broken by an open window looking out on to a […]
Read the full article: Excerpts from Chris Dolan’s Potter’s Field and Aliyyah
Tuesday, June 9, 2015 | Filed under: stories and poems
Glasgow Writers: Chris Dolan
Chris will lead discussion at the event Ethel MacDonald: An Anarchist’s Story part of Havana Glasgow Film Festival at CCA on 17 Novbember, 2016. Book Launch: Lies of the Land, the second Maddy Prior novel, Glasgow Caledonian University, 1 June, 2016 at 6.30 p.m. Rebus – A Question of Blood by Ian Rankin. Adapted for […]
THE ADVENTURES OF ANIE AND BOOGIE: TWO UNCONVENTIONAL FRIENDS AT THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET
A story by Pamela Blanchetti You need to come because you are growing up and to grow up you have to see the world- The sun was shining and the international market had just opened. It was pretty early, it was so nice. Anie felt very awake in the morning – she was not a […]
Monday, May 18, 2015 | Filed under: Pamela Banchetti, stories and poems
Melting Pot – a poem by Leela Soma
Baltimore, Ferguson and other police brutality makes the headlines, but in Buffalo, NY they see it differently. Melting Pot The colours of the mosaic glimmer in the sun Blue pieces against the bright reds and oranges, A tiled beauty that catches the eye, to look again The platter enhances the tasty food on offer A […]
Read the full article: Melting Pot – a poem by Leela Soma
Tuesday, May 5, 2015 | Filed under: Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, stories and poems
