What’s On in Glasgow: Books, Talks and Poetry Events

ruby mccann

(Ruby McCann, Poet, Editor, Publisher and Playwright)

Glasgow is overflowing with literary fervour.

Both established and up and coming writers can be heard reading their work at events in the city almost every night of the week. There are various book launches, spoken word events, literary festivals and writing workshops at various venues throughout the city.

Pauline Lynch

Pauline Lynch, Glasgow Writer

On this page I highlight stuff about books, talks,  spoken word performances, writing and other literary events.

You can also read stories and poems by local writers and check out my section on Glasgow Writers.

 

Books, Talks and Poetry Events Listings

  • Jim and Pat’s West End Chat: Podcast with Magi Gibson, poet, writer and creative writing tutor
  • Stories and Poems by Glasgow Writers
  • Ten Writers Telling Lies Book and CD
  • Interview with Filmaker Samir Mehanovic – Calum Maclean
  • Mary Irvine – writer and philhellene
  •  Stuart Cosgrove Glasgow Writer
  • Glass Nylons and Woollen Combinations by Christina Byrne
  • Glasgow Writers: Graeme Macrae Burnet– nominated for Man Booker
  • Spoken Word Events in Glasgow courtesy of Stephen Watt
  • Writers’ Groups in and around Glasgow
  • GFF15 William McIlvanney, Living With Words – review Pat Byrne
  • Mother India at Home Recipes Pictures Stories by Monir Mohammed and Martin Gray review by Pat Byrne
  • Rotten English Podcast: Discussing the work of Agnes Owens
  • Jim Byrne, The Forgotten Life Childhood
  • A Bird Is Not A Stone, Palestinian and Scottish Poets Review by Pat Byrne
  • Poetry by Poets from Glasgow and Further Afield
  • Telephone: 0141 552 4267In person: At our Box Office within the Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5HB

    Weegie Wednesdays

    A creative network for anyone interested in writing, illustration and publishing in the widest sense! Facilitated but informal, this monthly meet-up allows people of all levels and experience to make contacts, share their work and skills.

     7pm-10pm, Saramago Terrace Bar, FREE
    No booking required

    Centre for Contemporary Arts
    350 Sauchiehall Street
    Glasgow G2 3JD

    Books, Reviews, Groups and Projects

    scottish writers centre.jpg The Scottish Writers’ Centre

    A Scotland-wide resource bringing writers together and spreading information about our vibrant literary culture.

    The SWC is run solely by volunteers, therefore By Writers, For Writers and aims to to provide a space where writers can meet and share ideas and experiences about the craft of writing and learn from those further advanced. Central to that are the new facilities and activities arranged with the support of the CCA (Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow) where we are currently based at 350 Sauchiehall Street, G2 8JD.

    Their Scottish Writers Centre Events Programme   Aims to  inspire and create a hunger for literature as well as opportunities for professional development.  This includes “In Process” masterclasses with renowned Scottish writers at the top of their field. Plus open-forum discussions and debates with excellent guest speakers. Please come and share your opinions and ideas. Membership of the CCA currently costs £15 per year (£10 for students/unwaged)

    Please get in touch if you have any skills or experience that you can offer to help support the running and expansion of the SWC.

    Email us at: info@scottishwriterscentre.org.uk

    http://scottishwriters.wordpress.com

    tell it slant

    – Poetry bookshop, Renfrew Street.

    Tell it slant
    A bookshop specialising in poetry in all forms and in all languages: printed, audio and visual, including pamphlets, rare, out-of-print, and second-hand.

    Read the feature

    Book-Cover-232x300Mother India at Home Recipes Pictures Stories by Monir Mohammed and Martin Gray review by Pat Byrne. Great Book for lovers of Glasgow and fans of Indian cuisine. Fabulous photography and anecdotes. Buy at all Mother India Restaurants.

    • NewCWCOVER-230x300Inspiration From Commonwealth Writers to Boost Creativity by Jacqueline Smith.

    Coming soon an eBook to inspire your creativity by Jacqueline Smith. Inspiration From Commonwealth Writers to Boost Creativity draws together a series of interviews of writers which focused on aspects of crafting as well as inspirations and influences in their writing.

    Jacqueline’s accompanying commentary frames the inspiring responses from the contributors which will encourage readers and writers to happily consider that there are actions we can take to boost our creativity when it seems to be waning.
    The writers interviewed were include: Kei Miller from Jamaica, John Rice, Alan Riach, Brian Whittingham, Viv Gee, Anita Govan, Alan MacGillivray, Donny O’Rourke, and Liz Niven, all from Scotland, Gerry Cambridge from England, Skye Loneragan from Australia, Gerrie Fellows from New Zealand,Ryan Van Winkle from the USA, and Tawona Sithole from Zimbabwe.
    One of the contributors, the award wining poet Liz Niven, has said of the book:

    Jacqueline Smith has worked professionally and creatively to compile a series of interviews by contemporary writers… Her proposed book will join the shelves of aspiring and accomplished writers and contain content with relevance to all.’
    Further information: Pothole Press

    Inspiration From Commonwealth Writers to Boost Creativity is now available for download from Amazon, Kobo and Apple iBooks stores.

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    51yz09ohtjL._Utter by Vahni Capildeo

    In Utter the reader is transported by image and sound into a universe where there appear to be no limits to what the imagination is capable, and Vahni Capildeo relishes the freedoms inherent in such a world. Old boundaries come down: between the past and present, between human and animal, animate and inanimate, between the Caribbean and the global elsewhere, between the experienced world and the world of books. Rooted in an energetic sense of history, her vision remains scrupulously contemporary, wholly engaged in our present moment with poems triggered by the earthquake in Haiti, the politics of the globalized Antilles, and the islands’ industrial and agricultural contradictions. And even when the past is evoked, it remains wonderfully modern: dead soldiers welcoming a modern English apartment-dweller; Beowulf-era abandoned women pinned and pining on islands or beneath trees and recent migrants traveling their transatlantic journeys. And for all this, there live moments of community and tenderness, beauty and humour, all borne by her witty, prodigious intelligence. This is a book that rewards multiple readings, for at each reading some new untold treasure is sure to be discovered and rediscovered, making it a book as unexpected and as compendious as life.
    (Published September, 2013. Peepal Tree Press, Limited, 2013)

    Vahni Capildeo is the author of the poetry collections “Dark & Unaccustomed Words,” “No Traveller Returns,” “Person Animal Figure,” and “Undraining”” Sea,” and her work has appeared in the anthologies “Identity Parade,” “In the Telling,” and “The Oxford Book of Caribbean Verse.” She is a contributing editor and the UK agent and representative for the “Caribbean Review of Books” and a member of the International Advisory Board for the “Journal of Indo-Caribbean Studies.

    Buy Utter at Peepal Tree Press
    From ‘Utter‘ – Poem of the Week. Pull Out All Stops. – www.inpressbooks.co.uk
    Buy online at //www.amazon.co.uk/

    the sunlit summitA biography of Scottish climbing legend, W H Murray

    Robin Lloyd-Jones

    Described by Robert Macfarlane in his foreward as a “subtle and wonderful biography – there need never be another account of Murray’s life.”

    William Hutchison Murray (1913 – 1996) was one of Scotland’s most distinguished climbers in the years before and after the Second World War. As a prisoner of war in Italy he wrote his first classic book, Mountaineering in Scotland, on rough toilet paper which was confiscated and destroyed by the Gestapo. The rewritten version was published in 1947 and followed by the, now, equally famous, Undiscovered Scotland. In 1951 he was depute leader to Eric Shipton on the Everest Reconnaissance Expedition. In later years he became a successful novelist and pioneer conservationist.

    Robin Lloyd-Jones is a climber, teacher, and award winning author of novels, short fiction, radio drama and non-fiction. He is a former president of the Scottish Association of Writers and of Scottish PEN and has also been a tutor in creative writing at Glasgow University.
    Buy online at Amazon

     

    zest issue 2.jpgZest LiteraryJournal

    Excutive Editor – Kate Alexander-Kirk
    Editor – Amy Sibley
    Poetry Editor – Liz Bury

    Includes writing by Katy Hastie and Nicola Fitzhenry

    ‘A space that is meant to be warm and inviting to readers and authors alike.’

    ‘Our aim is always to respect, listen to, care for and be amazed by all the authors, artists, and readers we have the pleasure of interacting with.’

    Zest Issue 2 Online – don’t click on green download it’s an advert.

    Zest on Facebook

     

    four new words for loveFour New Words for Love

     

    Michael Cannon’s heartwarming, beautiful new novel, Four New Words for Love.

    £8.99

     Four New Words for Love – published by Freight. (Full details and buy the book)

    Michael Cannon Reading from Four New Words for Love

     Read an extract from Four New Words for Love

     

    The Poetry Club
    100 Eastvale Street
    www.swg3.tv

    Cover Photo

    Neu! Reekie! 34 – Glasgow – The Poetry Club Summer Storm

    The Poetry Club, Glasgow

    Listings coming soon.

    Neu! Reekie! Facebook

    An extract from Terry Welsh’s book Reflections: Lambhill, Possil and Elsewhere

    FRONT COVERTerry, who passed away in 2006, aged 74, was a very well-known face in Glasgow West End. He attended circuit training and football in the Western Baths into his seventies! In fact, in his memory the Baths now have a football tournament every year.  The year before he died Terry self-published a book called ‘Reflections: Lambhill, Possil and Elsewhere’.

    His friend Martin Greig describes it as ‘a smashing book with wonderful stories and some great images. He sold a lot of copies, too.’

    The book has fallen out of print but can be bought on Amazon as an e book. All proceeds from book sales will go to MacMillan Cancer Support. Price £2.99 on Kindle.

    – See more at: https://www.glasgowwestend.co.uk/terry-welsh/

    41bg0e8YN-L._AA160_A Spider’s Thread Across the Tay’ by Mary Edward

    What a delight to read a well-written, well-crafted book at such a reasonable price. From the Prologue, which gives us a factual account of the last minutes of the disaster, to the surprise fictional ending, I quickly became involved in two stories.
    As a new-comer to Glasgow I had read the author’s ‘Who belongs to Glasgow?’ which shows, through extensive research, how the vibrant, multi-cultural community of Glasgow came into being.
    “In ‘A Spider’s Thread’ this attention to historical accuracy is again reflected, this time woven in with a gripping fictionalised but highly credible story. Although the historical ending is no surprise – the Bridge still collapses – the fictional part of the story left me wanting to know what happened to Andrew, a man with a conscience, so I look forward to the sequel.
    This is an author who knows how to write.” Mary Spetses

    It’s available on Amazon as an e-book

    Photo:Glasgow Botanics Book Fair

    Open 10am to 4.30 pm

    Browse at your leisure through an excellent selection of rare and second hand books.

    Books bought, sold and valued.

    Admission Free

    Every month

    Hopkirk Building, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, 730 Great Western Road, Glasgow

    For more information and/or to be on our emailing list email

    www.booksatthebotanics.co.uk

    19.03.13_SWCTurningtothePage_Image

    Scottish Writers’ Centre

    CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JD

    The Writers’ Hub

    Every Monday and Thursday / 2 – 5pm / FREE
    The Scottish Writers’ Centre Writers’ Hub in the SWC 1st floor base at CCA is a space for discussion and time to have a look at the library to find out what is available for borrowing.

    Contact Jacqueline Smith.

    CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JD

    www.scottishwriterscentre.org.uk

    CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JD

    Scottish Screenwriters

    Call the CCA Box Office on 0141 352 4900

    Scottish Screenwriters was formed in 2005 by John McShane and Jerry Brannigan to continue the work started in the various screenwriting courses they had attended. The Glasgow screenwriting group continues to grow and has links with the Edinburgh screenwriting group as well as having contacts worldwide and almost 500 online members.

    Meetings are usually on the second Monday of each month and the first half normally consists of a short talk and Q&A from an industry based guest, followed by workshopping of member’s scripts.

    The aim is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for screenwriters of all levels of experience to meet and discuss their work with fellow writers.

    For full details see www.scottishscreenwriters.co.uk

    valve

    Valve Journal

    A dynamic Literary Journal providing a showcase for the very best of new experimental writing.

    Buy a copy

    http://www.valvejournal.co.uk
    http://www.facebook/com/valvejournal
    http://www.valvejournal.co.uk/twitter

    thi wurd

    thi wurd – new website launched

    www.thi-wurd.com

    thi wurd is a fiction magazine based in Glasgow, which seeks submissions of short fiction and illustrations.  The magazine was very successfully launched in December with 160 people attending an evening of readings, music, drinks and discussion.
    Buy  Issue #1 of thi wurd
    email thi wurd

    For details on how to submit and future events see:  www.thi-wurd.com

    green-zest-black-outline3

    Launch of new online literary magazine

    Zest – Issue 1 Launches April 1st

    ‘Two ladies, one from Boston and one from Glasgow, get together in a creative writing class in Glasgow and…’ Sound a bit like the beginning of a bad joke? Maybe, but it’s not! It’s actually the beginning of a new literary online journal.

    This is how Zest came into being. We have since put our hearts into creating a space that is meant to be warm and inviting to readers and authors alike. Our aim is always to respect, listen to, care for and be amazed by all the authors, artists, and readers we have the pleasure of interacting with.

    Zest on Facebook

    fgtsissue30cover1

    From Glasgow To Saturn Issue #3

    Issue 30 Download PDF

    Our milestone 30th issue is now available to download.We chose the theme of independence, not because we wanted to conduct a straw poll among writers, but because the word itself means so much to so many. As you’ll see from reading this issue it is a word that can inspire as much as it can provoke. There are stories here of fraternal bonds, of men who will commit unspeakable acts to regain some semblance of independence, of those who cannot give up their independence, or those who cannot control it. There is undoubtedly a more political edge to this issue, and as a politically neutral magazine, it is a pity we saw so few submissions highlighting the perceived benefits of remaining part of the Union. That in itself tells us something of the mood of Scottish writers though.

    Whatever happens to our country next year, our literature has a bright future and this issue encompasses the work of some of Scotland’s most talented writers.

    Shaunagh Jones | Calum Maclean | Kevin Scott

    glasgowtosaturn.com

    The Obree Way

    Scottish cycling legend Graeme Obree has recently published a new book, “The Obree Way.” Referred to as a secret training manual, it is packed full of useful advice for any cyclist.

    Graeme shot to fame in 1993 when he smashed the world 1 hour record on a home-made bike, and also held the world 4000m pursuit in 1994. Despite considerable success he has battled with inner demons, well documented in the book and film “The Flying Scotsman.”

    He describes writing The Obree Way as “something of an epiphany. Having to delve so deeply into my own mind and experiences has been sometimes a profound journey, like travelling through time, to get to the route of my understanding.”The book delves into every aspect of cycling from bike choice and set up, through nutrition, training and pedalling. There is even great detail on his special breathing technique which is already causing a stir in the cycling community.

    As Sir Chris Hoy observes:
    ”Graeme is a genius in the true sense of the word. His uncanny ability to tackle problems from an angle that no-one else could have thought of, makes him a one-off. An original. He sees the world in a different way to us mere mortals and comes up with ideas and solutions which make you laugh, shake your head and say ‘why didn’t I think of that?!’”

    You can get a free chapter from The Obree Way at launch.theobreeway.com and it is available to buy at:
    Obree iTunes
    Amazon Kindle
    Google Play

    Photo:

    Anywhere’s Better Than Here

    by Zoe Venditozzi

    Sandstone Press Ltd (18 Oct 2012)

    Laurie’s life is going nowhere. She lives with a computer game-obsessed boyfriend and has a meaningless job. The highlight of her week has become finding a new snack food on the supermarket shop. When Laurie meets an older, mysterious man things veer suddenly out of control, and she needs a plan fast.

    Buy on Amazon

    Zoe reads from her novel ‘Anywhere’s Better Than Here’ YouTube

    Photo:

    Never Seconds by Martha Payne

    Schoolgirl Martha Payne, whose blog Never Seconds about the state of her school dinners, is releasing her book to help feed African pupils.

    Jamie Oliver supports Martha’s Mary’s Meals campaign:

    “Martha is amazing. To be just nine-years-old and to keep the fight for better school dinners alive is really incredible and it was great to finally meet her.

    ”Not only that, but to help children in poor countries get the food that they need to continue their education is inspirational. I wish her luck and I hope you all support this campaign in any way you can.”

    Buy the Book – every copy sold feeds 25 children in Malawi.

    Photo:

    Elsewhere

    Fifty authors, 4 books, 3 publishers, 1 magical collection. Elsewhere is here.

    Brand new writing from world leading authors including Roddy Doyle, Amy Bloom, Julia Donaldson, Michael Morpurgo, Alasdair Gray, Louise Welsh, Jackie Kay, Alan Warner and many, many more. Preorder-save 20%

    youtube Elsewhere Artwork, Lineup

    Facebook Elsewhere

    Co-published by Cargo, McSweeneys and The Edinburgh International Book Festival.

    http://www.elsewherebook.org/

    Photo:

    The Lit Parade at Glasgow West End Festival 2012

    Writers from Glasgow and beyond presented an evening of poetry andprose. Participants in Glasgow University’s prestigious MLittprogramme performed a variety of pieces, from the humorous to theserious, the intriguing to the entertaining.’

    Special guests at the event included Zoe Strachan, the award winning author, who teaches on the MLitt Course, and Mark Buckland, Publisher with Cargo Publishing.

    Organisers: James Carson, Josianne Azzopardi Mamo, Mo Blake and Pat Byrne.

    More about the writers and examples of their work

    Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust Book Awards 2012

    Twenty authors have been shortlisted to win 30,000 in the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust Book Awards 2012, in partnership with Creative Scotland.

    Categories include: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, and First Book the Awards recognise and reward the literary talent of authors from or resident in Scotland, or those whose book is of particular Scottish interest.

    Details and shortlist

    Photo:

    Launch of Tip Tap Flat

    University of Glasgow – Glasgow School of Art Anthology

    Tip Tap Flat: A View of Glasgow is the new anthology of writing by staff and students from the University of Glasgow and Glasgow School of Art instigated by former writer-in-residence Louise Welsh.

    Buy at Amazon

    Orange Prize Winner

    Libraries in Glasgow – Hillhead, Langside and The Mitchell – have copies of all this year’s books to borrow.

     

    Photo:Clockworks is an anthology of poetry, flash fiction and short fiction, promoting new writing on the theme of Glasgow. The anthology is designed specifically to be read on the Glasgow subway as a literary alternative to free magazines and newspapers.

    Each of the seven sections of ClockWorks offer a selection of writing timed to fill your exact time spent on the subway, whether you are going on a one-stop journey or travelling a full seven stops.

    More information

    On the Mormon Trail

    Photo:

    With the selection of Mitt Romney as the Republican hopeful in America’s Presidential election in November 2012, the USA has its first ever Mormon candidate for the White House, and many people are curious as to what Mormonism represents.

    Here we print an extract from the chapter On the Mormon Trail from Ian Mitchell’s forthcoming book, Encounters in the US Mountain West, (The In Pinn, September) based on his several trips to the Mormon heartland of Utah and the surrounding states.

    On The Mormon Trail

    The early Mormon settlers who came to Utah from the 1840s onwards had a harder time of it in getting there, than I had had. Indeed the establishment of Deseret in the desolate Great Basin area by the Latter Day Saints stands, ungainsayable even by their detractors and critics, as one of the great epics of courage and endurance in human history. The Exodus of the Jews from captivity in Pharaoh’s Egypt to seek the Promised Land, and the Great Trek of the Boers from the Cape to Transvaal are possibly better known examples of religiously inspired migrations, but it is doubtful if even those experiences can compare with the hardships and sufferings which were experienced by those on the Mormon Trail. Only the Long March of the Chinese Communists in the 1930s can surpass, in heroism, hardship and suffering, the rigours of the Mormon exodus.

    Read the complete article

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    Fremont

    By Elizabeth Reeder

    Fremont, is Kohl Pubishing company’s debut title and Reeder is their debut author. Her acclaimed debut novel Ramshackle was published by Freight Books in February, 2012.

    Fremont: “When Rachel Roanoke sees Hal Fremont across a diner counter, she claims him as her own. Their first date takes place in the registry office, and they set out for the small, suspicious town Hal calls home.

    There, in the crumbling hallway of that mock-antebellum house, Rachel and Hal consummate their marriage and start to build their rambunctious brood.”

    Against their parents’ ill-starred fairytale romance, the Fremont children fight for their territory within the shifting, bitter bonds of family. In this tale of prejudice, identity and desire, Fremont becomes a map of survival.”

    Buy Fremont at Kohl Publishing
    Available soon at Amazon

    Photo:

    from Encounters in the US Mountain West; A Sinner amongst the Latter Day Saints, by Ian R. Mitchell – to be published by NWP Publishing in September 2012

    The cowboy, and the outlaw with whom he is generally associated, assumes a large part in the American consciousness. Though the period of the “Wild West” was relatively short (from about 1865- 1895) it has nevertheless formed certain fixed iconic images in the mindset of the USA. The cowboy and the outlaw symbolise that anti-industrial romanticisation often attributed to people living outside, and to some extent against, the encroaching power of the modern state and capitalist economy. Somewhat paradoxically the state – represented by the lawman, and to a lesser extent the cavalry – stand for those who make things safe for women, kids and cherry pie, by going out and – quite simply, killing the bad guys. In High Noon the reluctant sheriff is forced to finally see that the only way to deal with outlaws, is to gun them down. (Even his more reluctant, pacifist, wife comes to this viewpoint, by shooting one of the baddies in the back.)

    This resolution of social problems not by trying to understand and tackle them, but by going out with a gun and mowing down their social consequences, runs through the Western, the US detective novel, and the US war movie. It does not take a great stretch of the imagination to see US foreign policy as motivated by a similar mind-set, vide Bush Jr.’s “Dead or Alive” response to the 9/11 Twin Towers attack. Obama did more for his popularity than by any healthcare legislation he implemented, by assassinating Bin Laden in the best Western movie (it was even filmed) tradition to the joy of millions of Americans, who failed to share the rest of the world’s realisation that this changed precisely nothing. The same millions of Americans believe that the right to carry arms (being your own cowboy) – which gives them a murder rate 10 times that of the UK – makes them safe against the bad guys.

    Book preview – read the whole chapter.

    Photo:

    Following Our Fathers: Two Journeys Among Mountains by Linda Cracknell.
    (best foot books)

    Review by Maggie Graham

    Following Our Fathers is the story of two walks undertaken by the author. The first is the story of the flight on foot across Norway to Sweden, taken by her friend Yulis father when he escaped from the Germans in 1944. Sven Somme was active in the resistance movement before his capture and kept journals and detailed maps during his trek.

    Linda Cracknell, although the history is not hers, takes pleasure in re-enacting it. Throughout we share her pleasure as the story seems to come alive, and she enjoys the sense of walking a storyline

    See full review

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    Dear Miss Landau

    James Christie (Author)

    Dear Miss Landau recounts the improbable friendship, conducted via e-mail, between a Rain Man from Glasgow and a Hollywood star resulting in their eventual rendezvous in Sunset Boulevard. The epistolary exchange is just one aspect of a multi-layered autobiography by James Christie.

    Further details

    In 2010, James, who suffers from Aspergers Syndrome, took a Buffy-themed Greyhound bus trip across America with the support of the National Autistic Society Scotland, the story,which includes with descriptions of his difficulties living as an autistic adult in a neuro-typical world, has been published by Chaplin Books under the title Dear Miss Landau.
    Buy on Amazon

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    Outside Thoughts

    The Best Short Stories in Scotland Read Live

    www.outsidethoughts.com

    Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland

    Stage to Page

    Stage to Page is a voluntary collective of writers, directors and actors who meet monthly to conduct short public workshops of scenes from brand new plays.

    This lively exploration of new writing is an opportunity for writers to be actively involved in an exciting, short workshop process, hear their work being read and get feedback from directors, actors and audiences.

    Stage to Page is led by a different guest each month, drawn from Scotland’s prominent writers, directors or theatre practitioners .

    Stage to Page more info.

    CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JD

    Telephone: + 44 (0) 141 332 4403
    E-mail: info@playwrightsstudio.co.uk
    www.playwrightsstudio.co.uk

    Photo:

    Twitter for charities, non profits and the voluntary sector book launch

    Twitter for Voluntary sector, charities and non-profits book by Jim Byrne and Jeremy Webb.

    Twitter for charities, non profits and the voluntary sector – Everything you need to unlock the power of twitter for good

    “Essential reading for those in the Third Sector who need to know how to harness the power of Twitter.” Tom Alcott, The Social Network Company.

    You’ll learn why social networks are special, detailed Twitter mechanics as well as advanced strategies to grow a huge and dedicated following. Also of advantage to anyone using Twitter to promote their business.

    Further information and free chapter

    Buy on Amazon

     

    ALHAMBRA Glasgow

    Graeme Smith’s book about the famous and iconic Alhambra Theatre, is now available in bookstores including +Waterstones, Hyndland Bookshop and Milngavie Bookshop and directly, post free, from www.glasgowalhambra.co.uk. There is also a special offer on the website.

    As with its companion volume The Theatre Royal:Entertaining a Nation this is a not for profit book, a contribution to our social and architectural history !

    Graeme will be at the Aye Write Festival in 2012

    Scottish Writers’ Centre Events:

    CCA, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow

    cca glasgow

    The programme reflects our desire to be international in outlook. All events are FREE – and will be held at the CCA in Glasgow.

    The Scottish Writers’ Centre is grateful to the CCA and to Culture & Sport Glasgow for their generous support of its work.

    Full programme

    The Edinburgh Companions to Scottish Literature

    The Centre for Scottish and Celtic Studies have launched this new series.

    The volumes are:

    • The Edinburgh Companion to Robert Burns ed. Gerry Carruthers
    • The Edinburgh Companion to Twentieth-Century Scottish Literature, ed. Ian Brown and Alan Riach
    • The Edinburgh Companion to Contemporary Scottish Poetry, ed. Matt McGuire and Colin Nicholson series

    The Leningrad Albums

    Wilma Stark

    Photo:

    Less than two and a half months after June 22, 1941, when the Soviet Union was attacked by Nazi Germany, German troops were already approaching Leningrad. The Red Army was outflanked and on September 8, 1941 the Germans had fully encircled Leningrad and the siege began. It lasted for about 900 days, from September 8, 1941 till January 27, 1944. 2,887,000 civilians (including about 400,000 children), plus troops didn’t even consider any calls for surrender. Food and fuel stocks were very limited (1-2 months only). All the public transport stopped. By the winter of 1941-42 there was no heating, no water supply, almost no electricity and very little food. In January 1942, in the depths of an unusually cold winter, the lowest food rations in the city were only 125 grams (about 1/4 of a pound) of bread per day. In just two months, January and February 1942, 200,000 people (!!!) died in Leningrad of cold and starvation. But some of the war industry still worked and the city did not surrender. In January 1943 the Siege was broken.

    Full feature

    Review of Bob Dylan’s autobiography, Chronicles Volume One

    Bob Dylan Chronicles Volume One. If you worship at the altar of Dylan this book will definitely have you on your knees, hands crossed, eyes closed and bathed in the celestial Bobness light. For Bob Dylan fans it will be like an intravenous drip of … the drug of your choice. But is it a good book?

    Yes, Bob Dylan can write prose as well as songs – which isn’t enough of course – but thankfully he can also tell a story.

    Read the review by Jim Byrne

    Writers’ Groups – in and around Glasgow

    Groups Open and Fold Fairly Regularly so good idea to check with the venue to establish if they are still on the go.

    Scottish Writers Book Group

    Hillhead Library,  348 Byres Road , G12 8AP

     

    The Scottish Writers Book Group meet on the fourth Monday of every month from 18:30 – 20:00.

    Book groups are a great way to discover new books to read and meet new people. Many of our libraries host book groups. Ask at the library about available spaces at this group or speak to them about starting a new group of your own!

    Lovely Ladies Book Group

    Hillhead Library,  348 Byres Road , G12 8AP

    The Lovely Ladies Book Group meet on the third Thursday of every month from 18:00- 19:30 at Hillhead Library. Ask staff about available spaces.

    Book groups are a great way to discover new books to read and meet new people. Ask at the library about available spaces at this group or speak to them about starting a group of your own

    LGBT Book Group

    Free

    The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Book Group meet on the first Tuesday of every month from 18:30 – 20:00 at Hillhead Library. Ask library staff about available spaces for this group.

    New books are always being added to the reading list for LGBT. New titles include contemporary fiction as well as a wide range of information books, covering subjects such as lesbian parenting and gay health issues. Community news magazine, The Pink Paper, is also available in these libraries, as well as reading copies of Diva and Gay Times.

    Book groups are a great way to discover new books to read and meet new people. Many of our libraries host regular book groups and we’re always happy to host more why not speak to your local library about starting a new group of your own!

    Hillhead Library,  348 Byres Road , G12 8AP

    Partick Visually Impaired Book Group

    1:30pm – 3:00pm

    Free

    The Visually Impaired Book Group at Partick Library meet on the second Friday of each month from 13:30 – 15:00. Ask staff about available spaces.

    Book groups are a great way to discover new books to read and meet new people and this special group at Partick Library looks at books for Visually Impaired People. Many of our libraries host book groups ask at the library about available spaces at this group or speak to them about starting a new group of your own!

    Partick Library, Dumbarton Road, G 11

    Artists in Exile (Glasgow)

    8-10 Osbourne Street, Glasgow G21 5QD

    0141 552 7668
    email

    All Writers Easterhouse Group

    Pauline Hope, c/o Easterhouse Library
    5 Shandwick Street, Glasgow G34 9DP

    email

    Barmulloch Writers’ Group

    Flat 0/1, 2 Oatfield Street, Balornock, Glasgow
    0141 558 2672
    email

    Barrhead Writers’ Groups

    Walter Wilson
    18 Craighead Way, Barrhead, Glasgow
    0141 881 1315/ 0141 881 9065

    email

    Barrhead Writers’ Groups meet every Wednesday from 7pm – 9pm.

    Craigdhu Writers

    Morag Thomson
    36 Roselea Drive, Milngavie, G61
    0141 942 6431

    email

    Eastwood Writers

    Pamela Duncan
    Woodfarm High School, Rasbee Road, Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire
    0141 639 6438

    email
    Eastwood Writers meet at Woodfarm School, every Monday at 1.30pm.

    Erskine Writers’ Group

    Mandy Sinclair,Bargarran Centre, North Barr, Erskine, Renfrewshire
    0147 554 0655

    email

    Gatehouse Writers Workshop

    Gavin Nicol, Gatehouse, Spenser Street, Glasgow G13 1EA
    0141 950 1771

    Glasgow Writing Group

    Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow
    0141 332 1658

    email

    Landsdowne Parish Church SF Writers

    Mr Stuart, 416 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 8HA0141 339 2678

    Landsdowne Parish Church SF Writers meet on Mondays from 7pm – 9pm.

    Larkfield Writers’ Group

    Larkfield Centre, 39 Inglefield Street, Govanhill, Glasgow G42 7AY
    Sean Clerkin 0141 424 1797

    mailto

    Maryhill Writers’ Group

    c/o Maryhill Library. 1508 Maryhill Road, Glasgow
    0141 946 2348

    email

    Maryhill Writers’ Group meets on Wednesdays at 10am.

    Neighbourhood Writers

    Ruth McGregor

    Ibrox Library, 1 Midlock Street Glasgow G51 1SL
    0141 632 5769

    email

    Mitchell Poetry Group

    The Mitchell Poetry group meets at 6pm the first Thursday of every month in Level 5’s Literature Centre for lively and informal discussion on everything poetry!

    The Mitchell Library. North Street Glasgow G3 7DN

    0141 287 2999

    libraries@glasgowlife.org.uk

    Neighbourhood Writers meet ever Friday from 10am – 12noon.

    Strathkelvin Writers’ Group

    Irene Lebeter

    5 Melrose Court, Rutherglen, Glasgow G73 3DB
    0141 589 9136

    email

    Tollcross Park Writers Group

    Derek Read

    Courtyard Buildings, 274C Wellshot Road, Glasgow G32 7AX
    0141 763 1863

    email

    Thursday 1 – 4 p.m.

    Women Writing Southside

    Valerie Clements

    Pollockshields LIbrary,, 30 Leslie Street, Glasgow G41 2LF
    0141 423 3231

    Women Writing Southside meet on Tuesdays from 1.15pm – 3.15pm

    Glasgow Women’s Library

    It’s on the move. Find out all about the library and what it has to offer. Glasgow Women’s Library

    Group for aspiring local writers

    All welcome
    Maryhill Library
    1508 Maryhill Road
    Glasgow
    G209AD
    Bookings: 0141 946 2348

    Book Groups

    Love reading and discussing books. Why not join one of the Book Groups in Glasgow Libraries. Hillhead Library has a range of groups, who meet to discuss all types of literature. Something for everyone.

    Mitchell Library, North Street

    Brand new Mitchell brand new Cafe…check it out!

    The Mitchell has a lending service with fiction and non fiction titles available
    called Mitchell Express
    it is located near the main Kent Road entrance
    also Scottish fiction can be borrowed from the Literature Centre on level 5
    The Mitchell is a Wi-Fi ‘hotspot’ see Hillhead Library below

    Hillhead Library

    Welcome to Wi-Fi
    FREE wireless access
    Glasgow library members can use their laptop to connect to the internet using Wi-Fi ‘hotspots’
    Hillhead is a ‘hotspot’ (we knew that anyway!)
    for technical support 020 8423 2244
    more info: 0141 287 2999 or lil@cls.glasgow.gov.uk

    Full list of Glasgow West End Wifi hotspots here

    Volunteers!

    Home Library Service
    -Can you spare just 3 hours a week?
    -Would you like to meet new people?
    -Can you help deliver books to people?<
    Make a real difference in the community!
    Find out more, have a chat with Lynne Healy
    at the Mitchell Library, North Street
    Phone 0141 287 2869 or email lil@cls.glasgow.gov.uk
    Full training will be given

     

    Lapidus

    Literary Arts in Personal Development
    Writing Well Seminars
    more info from Larry Butler, 14 Garrioch Drive, G20 8RS
    Tel 0141 946 8096 or butlerlarry@hotmail.com
    or visit http://www.lapidus.org.uk

    Book Discussion Groups

    Hillhead Library 1st Thurs of the month 2.30pm
    contact: Jean Kavanagh 0141 287 2923
    or Catherine McInerney 0141 287 2838
    1st Thurs 7.30 contact: Brenda Rankine 0141 287 2923
    or Kay Scruton 0141 353 3943
    Partick Library (Poetry Group) 2nd Thurs 6.30
    contact:Catherine McInerney 0141 287 2838
    or Ronnie Campbell 0141 287 2863
    Whiteinch Library last Thurs 7pm
    contact: Wilma Moore 0141 353 3943 or Carmela Vezza 0141 550 4849

    Storytelling in Glasgow

    at the Better Crack Club
    Glasgow’s only storytelling club for adults meets
    3rd Fri of each month at 7.30pm in the
    Tchai Ovna Teahouse
    42 Otago Lane (off Gibson Street)

    Hillhead Library

    Go and hear some Monstrously Good Stories
    every Fri at 3.30pm

    Poetry in the Palace

    from Survivors Poetry Scotland
    1 -2pm last Fri in every month in the Kibble Palace at the Botanic Gardens
    more info on 334 2422/3354

    Did You Know?
    Residents living in residential or nursing homes or sheltered housing can get large print books, tapes and videos delivered to their door from the Council!
    telephone 0141 287 2869 for this service

This section: Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Writing

Filed under: Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Writing

Written by :

Avatar of PatByrne Publisher of Pat's Guide to Glasgow West End; the community guide to the West End of Glasgow. Fiction and non-fiction writer.

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