Festivals Galore

'AYE WRITE' 9TH - 17TH MARCH (Pic from last year an one of A.MC Call-Smith)
'STANZA' - 14-18TH MARCH

Need I say more? I've got some tickets booked for 'Aye Write'- get cracking, support out local Lit Fest at the Mitchell Library.

'Aye Write'- 9TH- 17TH MARCH

Start booking your tickets early for THE LITERARY FESTIVAL IN GLASGOW:

Aye Write

Glasgow’s annual celebration of reading and writing has over 300 events, including a free children’s programme. As well as the festival's 2012 theme of '100 years of Scottish Literature' (commemorating 100 years of the Mitchell Library), there will be events and debates on comedy writing, religion, politics, women’s writing, the digital revolution, media crises and the best in Scottish and international writing.

Phone: 0141 353 8000
Email: ayewrite@glasgowlife.org.uk
Website: www.ayewrite.com

Creative Scotland 2012

Dozens of competitions!

http://opportunities.creativescotland.com/view.aspx?id=6b5b7a90-8622-4684-9457-35adcf8148c6


Creative Scotland: Competition for Fiction Writers
opportunities.creativescotland.com
Creative Scotland: Opportunities – Jobs, commissions and events for the arts in Scotland and worldwide

Competition for Fiction Writers
Deadline
Tuesday 31 January 2012 at 23:00
We are pleased to announce our first competition, The Writing Room Bursary.

First Prize: a professional editorial report worth £1000.

We are looking for writers of adult fiction who would like professional feedback on their work.

Your entry should consist of the first ten pages of a completed novel (the whole work should be 70,000+ words), plus a 250 word synopsis.

For full details please visit our website:
http://www.writing-room.co.uk/index.php?cat_name_u=opportunities

Latest News:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/writingroom
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thewritingroom

The Writing Room was founded by Maggie McKernan, one of the UK's top editors and literary agents.

Over the years Maggie has worked with many exceptional authors including Vikram Seth, Ben Okri, Colum McCann, Michael Collins, Philippe Claude, Charles Palliser, Alasdair Gray, Harold Brodkey, Joanna Briscoe, Norman Lewis, Jim Crace, Terence Stamp, Diana Souhami, Alan Spence, Andrew Greig, Jostein Gaarder, Neil Belton and many more.

Before setting up The McKernan Agency in 2006 Maggie worked at Heinemann, Secker & Warburg, Jonathan Cape and Orion. She now also works in association with Capel & Land.

This opportunity is available in: All Scotland

For further information, please contact enquiries@writing-room.co.uk (Rosie Apponyi), or visit http://www.writing-room.co.uk/index.php?cat_name_u=opportunities. The deadline is Tuesday 31 January 2012 at 23:00.

Costa winners

This year's five Costa winners

• Novel award Pure by Andrew Miller

• First novel award Tiny Sunbirds Far Away by Christie Watson

• Biography award Now All Roads Lead to France: The Last Years of Edward Thomas by Matthew Hollis

• Poetry award The Bees by Carol Ann Duffy

• Children's book award Blood Red Road by Moira Young.

January Lit Events

Beyond the Basics Family History Course17 Jan–14 Feb Tue 6–7.30pm Mitchell Library, Glasgow

A five-week series of workshops for those who wish to look a little deeper into family history.

17 Jan–14 Feb Tue 6–7.30pm Mitchell Library, Glasgow

Divine Write
1 Dec 2011–23 Feb 2012 Mon–Thu 9am–8pm; Fri & Sat 9am–5pm Mitchell Library, Glasgow


The key text of the English and Scottish Reformation, and a cultural and literary touchstone, the King James Bible celebrates its 400th anniversary this year. This exhibition includes two copies of the Bible, with other bibles from earlier and later periods for comparison.


Glasgow Poetry Book Group
18 Jan 7.30pm CCA, Glasgow

The group discusses Carcanet's new anthology, New Poetries V, which includes the work of William Letford, Vincenz Serrano and Helen Tookey among many others. An informal discussion where all are welcome.



Graphic Novel Book Group11 Jan 7.30pm

A book group for those who like plenty of pictures with their words, run by Plan B Books.




Looking at two books by Norwegian cartoonist Jason (John Arne Sæterøy to his mum), I Killed Adolf Hitler…
The Crystal Palace, Glasgow
Guid Crack Club
Regular storytelling club involving song and music aplenty.

27 Jan 7.30pm

The Magic Carpet Cabaret

A night of poetry, songs and stories, with open mic spots.
6 Jan 8pm Tchai-Ovna House of Tea, Glasgow

The Mitchell Centenary Exhibition
1 Dec 2011–25 Feb 2012 Mon–Thu 9am–8pm; Fri & Sat 9am–5pm Mitchell Library, Glasgow

Exhibition of photos and documents telling the story of 100 years in the building at Charing Cross for the Mitchell library.

Poetry Discussion Group5 Jan 6pm Mitchell Library, Glasgow
Lively and informal discussions of poetry on the first Thursday of every month.



Scottish Writers' Centre Great Debates
19 Jan 7pm

The SWC sets the cat among the pigeons with a series of 'Great Debates' on hot literary topics.

This week, Ewan Morrison asks, in a world of alternative publishing models, if this is 'The End of Books?'
CCA, Glasgow


28 Jan 7pm
This time the Gaelic Literature Forum poses the question, ‘How can publishers and educators meet the needs…
CCA, Glasgow

Scottish Writers' Centre presents Ron Butlin, In Process
5 Jan 7pm CCA, Glasgow
In the first of a new series of events from the SWC focussing on the craft of writing, Edinburgh Makar Butlin talks in detail about how he writes poetry, novels and even the odd opera.

December Events from 'The List'

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Hope to see you all back in 2012.




An eclectic evening of music, comedy and spoken word from the Cheeky Breakfast crowd.

19 Dec
(Over-18s only) 8.30pm Bloc+, Glasgow
Divine Write

The key text of the English and Scottish Reformation, and a cultural and literary touchstone, the King James Bible celebrates its 400th anniversary this year. This exhibition includes two copies of the Bible, with other bibles from earlier and later periods for comparison.

1 Dec 2011–23 Feb 2012 Mon–Thu 9am–8pm; Fri & Sat 9am–5pm Mitchell Library, Glasgow
Graphic Novel Book Group

A book group for those who like plenty of pictures with their words, run by Plan B Books.

14 Dec 7.30pm The Crystal Palace, Glasgow
The Mitchell Centenary Exhibition

Exhibition of photos and documents telling the story of 100 years in the building at Charing Cross for the Mitchell library.

1 Dec 2011–25 Feb 2012 Mon–Thu 9am–8pm; Fri & Sat 9am–5pm Mitchell Library, Glasgow
Reading the Leaves

Poetry and storytelling evening.

27 Dec 8pm Tchai-Ovna House of Tea, Glasgow

Scottish Writers' Centre Winter Party

The Scottish Writers' Centre hosts a party for members and anyone else interested in hearing a few songs and readings, meeting and chatting with writers, and enjoying a drink or two.
22 Dec 7pm CCA, Glasgow

Seeds of Thought
Diverse live performance and spoken word night, this time taking a look back over a year of 'cuts, riots and poor summers' by way of traditional African 'mbira' music, comedy, dramatic sketches and visual presentations. Open mic for those who want to share in the easy-going spirit of the evening.


16 Dec 7.30pm CCA, Glasgow

Short and Sweet
It's no coincidence that Wed 21 Dec is National Short Story Day – not only is it the shortest day, it's also a great time of year for snuggling up with a favourite story by a female writer at the library. Bring yours along and listen to others' at this special event. Booking is essential.
21 Dec 2pm Glasgow Women's Library, Glasgow

Special Mitchell Centenary Tours

See behind the scenes at the beautiful building at Charing Cross that has been home to the Mitchell Library for 100 years. Booking is essential.


1 Dec 2011–30 Jan 2012 Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri 2.30pm Mitchell Library, Glasgow


Weegie Wednesdays

Monthly forum offering writers, poets, publishers, booksellers, librarians, creative writing students or anyone else with a literary interest the chance to get together socially to talk about books and publishing.


14 Dec 7.30pm
Annual Christmas party.
The Universal, Glasgow
Words Per Minute
Date Location
Monthly spoken word, music, film and performance night run by Glasgow-based writer-performers Kirsty Logan, Helen Sedgwick and Kirstin Innes.

Bombay Baby at Milngavie Library

'Bombay Baby' book launch is at Milngavie Library on December the 6th at 2 pm. You are all most welcome. Hope the snow will not discourage you.

You can buy a copy direct from the publisher : http://dahliapublishing.co.uk/

And a special thanks to A.C. Clarke of the Federation of Writers Scotland for adding an extract of 'Bombay Baby'in their newsletter and I am the featured writer this month. Their website is : http://www.writersfederation.org.uk/

btw David Manderson's psychological thriller 'Lost Bodies' is a scary, page turner that you can't put down. Buy it now!