Other » Events

Wed-Saturday: Tours start 11am, 1pm, 3pm & 5pm

Sunday: Tours start 12 noon, 2pm & 4pm

Yellow Brolly presents: 'Auld Reikie' Robert Fergusson Tours

Come and experience the poetry of Robert Fergusson, the poet who inspired Robert Burns!

Yellow Brolly presents: 'Auld Reikie' by Robert Fergusson. A walking tour though the streets of Edinburgh in the year 1773. Yellow Brolly performance of Fergusson's 'Auld Reikie' intertwines poetry and history in a tour of the streets that inspired Edinburgh's greatest and most tragic poet. Experience Fergusson's unromantic, pungent and wonderful evocation of this city its sights sounds and unforgettable characters.

Tours leave from the Scottish Poetry Library

For more information, visit www.yellowbrolly.co.uk or phone Laura on 07942 602491

£6/£4

Edinburgh

meet at the Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton's Close

A promenade performance of King Arthur

Presented by Siege Perilous and Pendragon Enterprises in association with the Demarco European Art Foundation

Following Edinburgh-based company Siege Perilous' critically acclaimed
production of Lucy Nordberg's new play "King Arthur" during Edinburgh
Festival Fringe 2009, Richard Demarco will host a larger scale open air
performance in the atmospheric grounds of Craigcrook Castle, the home of the
Demarco Collection and Archive, as part of the events celebrating Richard's
80th birthday during 2010.

"King Arthur" charts the latter years of the enlightened king as he
struggles to impose democracy upon an unwilling people. This strongly
authored, character driven piece uses myth to investigate current national
and international concerns: the post-enlightenment problem of reconciling
faith with reason, and tradition with modernity. A renaissance style drama
written partly in blank verse, it raises many questions, not least about the
use of the this form in modern works and the effect on actors and audience.
("a traditional play reinvented with a topical twist"  ***** Three Weeks,
"spectacular modern take on a legend" **** Edinburgh Evening News.)

Craigcrook Castle is a 16th century listed building with many literary
connections. Formerly the home of Lord Francis Jeffrey, founder of the
Edinburgh Review, it was later known for its literary gatherings; among the
guests were Charles Dickens, Hans Christian Andersen, George Eliot and Lord
Tennyson. The Castle is currently the home of the Demarco Collection and
Archive, housing an impressive exhibition of art from around the world and a
complete and extensive record of the Festival and Fringe, including Richard's
work with Beuys and Kantor.

Craigcrook's connection with the Enlightenment, together with the
exhibition, makes it an ideal setting for a site-specific production of King
Arthur, offering director Andy Corelli the opportunity to create an
immersive audience experience. The performances are outside the Fringe but
fall within the main Festival dates, fitting Demarco's vision of theatre at
this time as a 'curtain up' to the main Festival, and the place where new
forms of theatre are born - moving, in effect, 'beyond the fringe'. This
accords with Lucy Nordberg's use of the Edinburgh  Fringe in 2009 to try out
new, large-scale work in innovative ways, to demonstrate its potential.

Tickets courtesy Zoo Venues, contact: box@zoovenues.co.uk
Phone bookings (from 1st August): 0131 6626892

£12/£8

Edinburgh

Craigcrook Castle

The Castle is at Craigcrook Road, EH4 3TU. Bus 13 from city centre. Parking
at castle or in neighbouring streets.

Callander Poetry Weekend 2010

The usual packed programme of short readings with many other features, including two evening launch parties for diehard's metallic hardback series - Wittins by Sheena Blackhall (Makar, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire) and Good Morning by Charlie Gracie.  Readings from Charlie and reading and songs from Sheena. The launches are part of two full evenings entertainment culminating in Onya Wick music and other events.

ALSO:
Complete Book collating, Sewing and Bookbinding demonstrations of the new series | A talk on Byron in Albania by Morelle Smith | Presentation of Red Squirrel Press poets | Sally James and Ron Williams (Lancashire dialect) | Geraldine Green (from Cumbria) | Chris Powici, the new Editor of NorthwordsNow | Brian Johnstone, poems with music and songs and more!

Programme in progress here: http://www.desktopsallye.com/page22.htm

Callander

King's Bookshop, the Bookshop Garden and Callander Kirk Hall

New Words 2010: Festival of New Writing in Aberdeen and North-East Scotland

Rapunzel Wizard and Amanda Aitken perform in Aberdeen on Thursday 2nd, John Mackie, Neil Hankin and Haworth Hodgkinson present a mix of poetry and music in Portsoy on Friday 3rd, and Knotbrook Taylor launches his collection of Scottish Lighthouse Poetry in Fraserburgh on Saturday 4th.

The festival continues until the end of the month with the widest variety of new writing you are ever likely to hear in the North-East of Scotland.

Milngavie Arts & Book Festival 2010

Full information: http://www.milngaviefestival.org.uk/site/

Milngavie

Poetry at the Ivory: Marc Sherland

Dedicated to Edwin Morgan

Former Chairman and now Ambassador of the Federation of Writers (Scotland), Marc has performed in London's Albert Hall, on the streets of Edinburgh, in a garden at the Callander Poetry Festival and many Glasgow venues. He is facilitator of the Larkfield Writers Group, the Write Attitude Group and the GOMA Glasgow Writing Group. Marc was a 2006, short story winner of the National 'Glasgow 2020' competition & in 2009, Maggie Craig, acclaimed novelist, awarded his short story, 'Tha Diel’s Merck' 1st place in the Castles in the Air competition run by the Scottish Association of Writers, a story entirely written in Doric Scots. From 2008 - 2010 Marc was tutor of a Creative Writing Troupe on behalf of Tramway Theatre entitled the Word Factory.

Reader Slots Available - Please book in advance
For more information, contact: Jacqueline Smith on 0141 632 2701 or 07817229771

£2 by donation

Glasgow

The Ivory , 2/4 Camphill Avenue, G41 3AY

Where Wild Things Are: Tenth Black Isle Words Festival 2010

Events for word lovers, including nature writing poetry workshop with Gerry Cambridge on Saturday 11 September 10am-12noon at The Old Brewery:

Full programme: http://www.blackislewords.co.uk/

Black Isle

The Old Brewery,
Cromarty
(Cromarty Training Centre)

StAnza vs Overload International Poetry Cyber Slam and Risk-a-Verse Open Mic

Full details at www.stanzapoetry.org

Free

St Andrews

Byre Theatre, Fife, and webcast worldwide

Seeds of Thought

Free

Glasgow

CCA, CCA5, Sauchihall Street

Off the Page: Stirling Book Festival

Bookish events of all shapes and sizes, including:

An evening of Poetry, on Thursday 16 September, 7.30 – 9pm, chaired by Magi Gibson and presenting the finalists from Off the Stanza, Stirling Council Libraries 2010 Poetry competition. Short-listed entrants will read their work, ahead of the official prize giving ceremony in Bannockburn Library.

Full programme: http://www.stirling.gov.uk/offthepage

Stirling

Bannockburn Library

Poetry at the... GRV

Three excellent poets read from their work (from 7.45-9.45pm): Eleanor Rees, Martin MacIntrye, and Michael Pedersen

Eleanor Rees - her first collection, Andraste's Hair (Salt), was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First Collection and for the Glen Dimplex First Book Award. Her second, Eliza & The Bear was published this year by Salt.

Martin MacIntyre - one of the very best poets writing in Gaelic around at the moment. His first poetry collection Dannsam Led Fhaileas / Let Me Dance With Your Shadow was published by Luath Press in Oct 2006. He won the Saltire Society Best First Book Award 2003, with a collection of short stories.

Michael Pedersen - very interesting poet, whose first pamphlet, Part-Truths (published by Koo press), was shortlisted for the Callum MacDonald Memorial Award for Best Scottish Pamphlet 2009.

£4/3

Edinburgh

the GRV, 35 Guthrie Street (off Chambers Street)

Get Moray Reading: Book Festival

Celebrating Scottish writing, reading and illustration, promoting reading and encouraging debate

Including a feast of authors supporting the Moray Food Festival

Plenty of bookish events for all the family, including a Scottish Poetry Library reminiscence event, featuring poetry and rhymes from your childhood on Thursday 16 September at 3pm.

More information: www.moray.gov.uk

Moray

various venues

Poetrio with Irene Brown, Anne Connolly & Anna Dickie

A trio of poets read in the lovely Henderson's Restaurant (in the lower cafe). More about Henderson's: http://www.hendersonsofedinburgh.co.uk/

No ticket required

Edinburgh

Henderson's Restaurant, Hanover Street

Inaugural Three Lochs Book and Arts Festival

Alexander McCall Smith, will be joined by a line-up of writers, poets, directors and artists who will take part in the festival at Strontian on the shores of Loch Sunart on September 16-18.

With events aimed at outdoor enthusiasts as well as book and film lovers, the Three Lochs Festival will feature films, talks by film directors, writers' workshops, a programme for schools, and contributions from writers including Allan Guthrie, Barry Hutchison, Roger Hutchinson, Clio Grey and poet John Glenday.

Full information: http://www.threelochs.co.uk/

Strontian

on the shores of Loch Sunart

Poetry, pie and pint night

More info: http://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/mearns-library.htm

Newton Mearns

Mearns Library

The Auction of Pleasures

Glasgow Women's Library would love you to attend this unmissable evening of
luscious food, sparkling company and quality entertainment, a Dinner and Auction to raise funds for the refurbishment of our new home at the Mitchell Library.

The Auction of Pleasures will be a memorable, magical evening within a stunning venue. At the heart of the night will be the opportunity to bid on imaginative gifts, adventures, treasures and treats that excite and please the senses.

From bespoke garments, year-round culinary delights and truly fine artworks by groundbreaking women artists, an array of auction items will be on offer that are designed to tempt and delight, whatever your pleasure.

Some of the fantastic auction items that you will be able to bid on are:

• A mini Women's Library collection of signed books
• A trip for 2 on The Drum (the Duran Duran 'Rio' Yacht!) including dinner and drinks
• Lucy Skaer print from her newest collection
• Dine Out for a Year!
• A signed Hannah Frank print
• Muscles of Joy instrument making workshop and gig ticket!

…and many many more. We'll be adding a full list with details of all the auction items soon.

Make sure you add your name to the guest list of remarkable women (and men!) of achievement in Scotland who will be in attendance and book your place now.

Ticket price includes your meal (canapés to start, main meal, desert and coffee) and wine, including an aperitif. Bookings must be made and payment received by Wednesday 8th September to guarantee your place. Book early to avoid disappointment.

You can book online now using the form below (there is an online booking fee). You can also download a booking form here [PDF] and return the form with your payment to: Laura Dolan, Glasgow Women's Library, 15 Berkeley Street, Glasgow, G3 7BW

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us online, call 07783 975044 or email pleasures[at]womenslibrary.org.uk.

£45 per person | £400 per table (10 people)

Glasgow

St Andrew's in the Square

George Gunn's NOT DEAD DAY

'George Gunn has never shied away from risk. His way with words lives somewhere between Dylan Thomas and the Viking Sagas. George Gunn's poetry has always sustained a radical questioning outlook ... traversing history, current international conflicts and the state of Scottish theatre.'  - Aonghas Macneacail, The Herald

To celebrate the publication of his plays Atomic City and Egil, Son of the Night Wolf, The Scottish Storytelling Centre and Caithness Horizons present an evening with George Gunn and his friends, colleagues, fellow poets and playwrights, actors and musicians who have worked with him and his Grey Coast Theatre Company over the last 20 years.

With excerpts from his newly published plays read by actors from Caithness, George Gunn will discuss his work, career and life with Donald Smith, Director of The Scottish Storytelling Centre. Donald will also be inviting some of George's friends to read their favourite from his collections of poems.

With music from Andy Thorburn, John Sampson, Nancy Nicolson, James Ross, Hamish Napier, Mairi McLennan and readings from Gerry Mulgrew, Gerda Steveson, Aonghas Macneacail, Meg Fraser, Gowan Calder, Billy Riddoch, Timothy Neat, Angela Ness, Floss Ross, Robert Alan Jamieson, Allan Tall, Raymond Ross, Matthew Zajac, Ian McDonough, Martin Docherty, Helen MacKay and many others, this will be an evening of celebration, Highland culture and good craic!

For further information contact John Cairns 07990 882 487 | email john@johncairns.org.uk

Box Office 0131 556 9579 or 0131 556 2647 | reception@scottishstorytellingcentre.com | www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk

£9/£7

Edinburgh

Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street

Shore Poets: John Glenday

with Alan Gillis and Ross Wilson

Scotland's leading platform for live poetry, featuring three poets and live music, as well as the Shore Poets raffle for the famous lemon drizzle cake.

More info: http://www.shorepoets.org.uk/

£4/3

Edinburgh

The Lot, the Grassmarket

Stirling Centre for Poetry: Dilys Rose

Autumn Programme 2010

Dilys Rose's most recent collection Bodywork engages with the frailties and fascinations of what it is to be a mortal, fleshly physical being. '[Her poems] cover a wonderful range of subjects... often with daring, always with verve and imagination' — Douglas Dunn.

All readings are at 7.30 pm in room A7 in the Pathfoot Building of Stirling University.

Free | all welcome

Stirling

Room A7, Pathfoot Building, Stirling University

One O'Clock Gun events

The One O'Clock Gun Anthology is finally here and you are cordially invited to attend two launch events to be held in the Old Town.

The first of these events will be a panel discussion and book signing in the Edinburgh Room of the Central Library on Thursday 30th September at 6pm.

The second event, a far less formal affair, will be held at the Speakeasy on Blair Street (opposite the City Cafe) on Friday 1st October at 7pm. Featuring live music, poetry and stories, this evening promises to be a true celebration of literary excellence and convivialia!

Please come along and join us in making merry, and do not hesitate to invite as many friends as you like.

Both free

Edinburgh

Central Library, George IV Bridge; Speakeasy on Blair Street

Friday 1 & Saturday 2 October, doors open 6.30pm

Thi 20:09

A tale of homecoming, revelations and settling scores written by Dundee's own poet Mark Thomson and produced by the r u theatre company

Together with performances by performance poets Robin Cairns, Colin Storrie & Milton Balgonie

£5

Dundee

The Little Theatre, (back of the Wellgate), 58 Victoria Road

[Brilliant Poetry]

National Poetry Day 2010 plus one

featuring one of the best poetry performers, a total original Tim Turnbull

a bunch o braw singers Dundee's Loadsaweeminsingin

3 poets from Dunbar's Calder Wood Press Anna Dickie, Morgan Downie and Juliet Wilson

and your host, Rachel Fox

Tickets available from Hogg's and The Links Hotel, Montrose
More information at http://brilliantpoetry.blogspot.com

with thanks to sponsors T Duncan & Co

£4 in advance | £5 on the door

Montrose

Links Hotel

Cachín Cachán Cachunga!

Another fun and unusual lineup of entertainment. Dance, film, poetry and music at its best – with a queer and trans twist. Featuring Evan Greer, Ingo, K Anderson, Miss Leggy Pee, Zorras and Lily

Article in The List Magazine: http://www.list.co.uk/article/26863-cachin-cachan-cachunga/

More info: www.blissfultimes.ca/cachin.htm

£5/3

Edinburgh

The Street, 2 Picardy Place

Stirling Centre for Poetry: Hugh McMillan

Autumn Programme 2010

Hugh McMillan's poetry combines great good humour with real feeling and a strong historical sense. His collections include Aphrodite's Anorak (1996), Strange Bamboo (2008) and The Lost Garden (2010).

All readings are at 7.30 pm in room A7 in the Pathfoot Building of Stirling University.

Free | all welcome

Stirling

Room A7, Pathfoot Building, Stirling University

Stirling Centre for Poetry: John Glenday

Autumn Programme 2010

John Glenday long awaited third major volume Grain is a Poetry Book Society Recommendation: 'Grain is a mature, distilled volume, at times delicately lyrical, at times playful or surreal' — Scotland on Sunday.

All readings are at 7.30 pm in room A7 in the Pathfoot Building of Stirling University.

Free | all welcome

Stirling

Room A7, Pathfoot Building, Stirling University

Other » Workshops

Young Edinburgh Writers (YEW)

For more details, contact Dorothy on dorothybaird@tiscali.co.uk, phone 0131 449 3265.

£5

Edinburgh

Central Library, George IV Bridge

The second Tuesday of each month except August and December, 6.30 for 7pm

The School of Poets

Founded in 1981 by Tessa Ransford, The School of Poets meets monthly in the Scottish Poetry Library. To join, come along to the Scottish Poetry Library on any meeting night (normally the second Tuesday of each month except August and December) at 7.00pm.

Please note there is no meeting in August, but check out the Courtyard Readings, organised annually by the School of Poets, instead. Next meeting: Tuesday 14 September, 2010, 7pm.

For any new/enquiring members it's our practice to bring 5 or 6 copies of one of your own poems to share with the other members of that evening's group.

There is no need to join immediately - you can come for a 'taster' meeting, £2. If and when you do decide to become a member, the annual subscription is £10 (£5 conc.)

Edinburgh

Scottish Poetry Library
5 Crichton's Close
Canongate

Sunday 5 September, 11am - 5pm

Creating Words that Work for Wealth & Wellbeing

With Ted Bowman, Margo Henderson, Jayne Wilding & Larry Butler

"If it's unmentionable, it's unmanageable"

Opening up with your voice and on the page can help express your grief for whatever you've lost: vitality, health, a friend, your home... Sharing stories with like-minded people who are keen to find their power through language and listening, can help even more. Join us for a day of writing, stories, playing with the power of words to heal, celebrating best practice, and evaluating the benefits of our work.

Ted Bowman is a grief educator. For over 30 years he has been gathering people's stories of disruptive changes in their lives AND stories revealing resiliency and hope. He draws on literary accounts to prompt and acknowledge ways of coping and healing. Ted is the author of over 80 articles and chapters,two booklets on grief and hope, a volume of personal essays and poems, and is a co-editor of new book of poetry addressing loss and renewal.

Margo Henderson, Jayne Wilding, and Larry Butler are writers who facilitate expressive writing groups at Maggie Cancer Care centres.

Further information: call Lesley on 07853188411

workshop fee: £20 (Lapidus Members £15), concessions by donation

Saturday 25 September

MIND | REMIND | REMEMBER

An experimental workshop to witness and explore our environment with our senses our knowledge and our creativity. How can artists and scientists co-operate to create new ways of waking ourselves up to the issues of our fragile and precious world?

You are invited to spend two hours with Geology Professor Stuart Hazeldine, Poet Larry Butler and Sculptor Ian Newton to immerse ourselves as a group and individually in an area of Falkland estate grounds. We will sense and respond to the landscape through thoughts, words, drawing , movement and whatever comes to hand and heart. As we Mind what is here, and we Remind ourselves of our place in the world, and Remember what has gone before us and passed away, we can seek to find a response to a small pace on our planet. Join us to think, feel and respond.

For more details email: info@bodhi-eco-project.org.uk

a collaboration between Bodhi Eco Project and Lapidus Scotland for the Big Tent Festival

Dalkeith

Dalkeith Country Park

Maryhill Monday Night Writing Group

Glasgow

Third Thursday of each month 5.30pm

Poetry Reading Group

Tea and coffee from 5.30pm, discussion begins at 6pm. Works ranging from the Song of Solomon to Iain Crichton Smith are discussed – choice of poems taken in turn by those attending.

Glasgow

Meeting Room
St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral Great Western Road
Glasgow

First Thursday of the month,
6pm

Poetry Discussion Group

Join us for an informal reading and discussion of poetry. 
Telephone: 0141 287 2865

Free

Glasgow

Glasgow,
Literature Centre,
Level 5,
Mitchell Library

Stirling Writers Group

Writers of all abilities and styles welcome; advice, encouragement and constructive criticism; sessions led by tutor; readings and workshops with guest writers; great record of success for members. More information from Robert Ritchie.

Telephone: 01786 464541

Stirling

Tolbooth Arts Centre,
Broad Street
Stirling

Aberdeen Writers’ Circle

Autumn term started 16th August 2006. Meetings every Wednesday, 10am – 12pm, Aberdeen Arts Centre. New members always welcome.

Website: http://beehive.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/default.asp?WCI=SiteHome&ID=1298

Aberdeen

Aberdeen Arts Centre,
King Street
Aberdeen

The Huntly Writers

Meeting fortnightly. Newcomers always encouraged.

Contact Phyllis Goodall, pjg@timberford.demon.co.uk
Maureen Ross, maureen.ross@btinternet.com
or Annie Lamb at Orbs Bookshop, 01466 793765 for venue details.

Website: www.huntlywriters.co.uk

Huntly

Fortnightly

The Lemon Tree Writers

A group established to support writers throughout North East Scotland. Meeting fortnightly to share and discuss new writing from members. the group is interested in all types of writing – fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry – and organises readings, workshops and retreats.

Email: info@lemontreewriters.co.uk
Website: www.lemontreewriters.co.uk

Aberdeen

The Douglas Hotel
43-45 Market Street
AB11 5EL

Quills

A small friendly group interested in writing and discussing poetry. The group chairman is Donnie Mclean.

Telephone: 01506 431389
Email: wlquill@yahoo.com

Bathgate

Bathgate Community Centre

Balloch Library Poetry Reading Group

A poetry reading group now meets in Balloch Library approximately six-weekly. Details can be obtained from Ian Baillie or Alistair Paterson.

Telephone: 01389 830739
Email: prism.atic@virgin.net

Free

Balloch

Balloch Library
West Dunbartonshire

Lapidus Scotland - Freedom & Belonging

To book contact Larry Butler, 14 Garrioch Drive, Glasgow, G20 8RS.

Telephone: 0141 946 8096
Email: lapidusscotland@yahoo.co.uk
or butlerlarry@talktalk.net
Website: www.lapidus.org.uk

Glasgow

23 Bank Street
Glasgow G12

(near Kelvinbridge)

Spring Tides Poetry Group

Read and discuss latest work. All welcome.

Website: www.spring-tides.org

Free

Aberdeen

Committee Room
Central Library
Rosemount Viaduct
Aberdeen

St Mungo's Mirrorball

This is a Glasgow based network for poets and poetry lovers that organises regular readings from the best local, national and international poets.

For more information on becoming a member or on upcoming events contact Jim Carruth.

Email: jim@carruth.freeserve.co.uk

Free

Glasgow

The Poetry Club
Glasgow School of Art
167 Renfrew Street

Other » Performance poetry

Fortnightly

8pm for 8.30pm - 10pm

"Don't Eat The Mic(rophone)"

Showcasing live poetry and short story recital, as well as drama and music. A free event and open to all, both performers and audience members alike. Should you wish to perform, it is advised to email beforehand, as space does become limited.

Free

Glasgow

Tchai Ovna
West End

Bards in the Park

On the first Saturday of the month, every month, a group of writers and their supporters and friends meet in Tollcross Park, Glasgow, in the Winters Gardens to read their own and other poets' work and to encourage participation in the spoken word. Extending a warm welcome to all, the venue has full wheelchair accessibility and is an ideal springboard for the tentative poet and reader. Poetry, short stories and comment always welcome and new members get full encouragement.

For further information contact Marc R. Sherland.

Email: mail@poets-writers.co.uk

Glasgow

Winter Gardens
Tollcross Park

Foakies

Twenty minute spots featuring a singer-songwriter and then a poet followed by a forty minute spot featuring the main act, usually a singer-songwriter.

If you're a poet interested in performing at Foakies, please contact Tom Fairnie.

Email: tomf@miscorp.ed.ac.uk

Edinburgh

The Royal Oak
Infirmary Street

First Friday of the month

Reading The Leaves - West End

This month's Reading the Leaves will showcase writing from Scotland's new literary magazine, Gutter: http://www.guttermag.co.uk/. Editor Adrian Searle will introduce the exciting line-up which includes readings from Rodge Glass, Stewart Ennis, Patricia Ace and Barry Gornell.

This event is free, however donations are welcome (£2 recommended) to go towards readers' travel expenses.

For further information or to book a reading contact Contact Sarah Neely or Daniel Sellers at readingtheleaves@hotmail.com

Free but suggested donation of £2

Glasgow

Tchai Ovna House of Tea
Otago Lane

(off Otago Street and Gibson Street, near Voltaire and Rousseau secondhand bookshop)

Reading The Leaves – South Side

The South Side Tchai Ovna readings, known as Read Allowed, are free and open to all. Come along and read or just listen in a relaxed and friendly and intimate atmosphere. Everyone is equally welcome – widely published or completely unknown. Contact David Manderson if you want a slot.

Email: davidmanderson@btinternet.com

Free

Glasgow

Tchai Ovna
South Side

Dead Good Poets

The Dead Good Poets are a reading for charity poetry group and hold meetings on the last Thursday of every month at Books and Beans, 22 Belmont Street, Aberdeen. The meetings are informal, incorporating a guest reader and open mic. Both experienced poets and beginners are welcome.

Email: info@deadgoodpoets.co.uk
Website: www.deadgoodpoets.co.uk
Books and Beans website: www.booksandbeans.co.uk

Free

Aberdeen

Books and Beans
Belmont Street

Pollockshields Writers' Collective

The group, which was the vision of writer Suhayl Saadi and established by him in 1999, is still going strong and became a collective in 2002, now co-ordinated by Shameem Akhtar. The group has recently published a book of writing, Snapshots. The Pollockshields Writers' Collective welcomes writers from all backgrounds.

For more information contact Pollockshields Writers' Collective.

Email: PwritersC@yahoo.co.uk

Glasgow

Third Wednesday of the month, from 7.30pm till late

Speakeasy Cafe/Bar

A celebration of the spoken word and music - poets, writers, comedians, soap box stars, folk singers, guitarists, opera singers, pop singers, authors, actors, drama queens, cellists. Contributors and audience welcome.

Phone Stu to book your mike slot, or come along on the night and take pot luck.

Telephone: 0141 429 4672
Email: lgbtart@gglc.org.uk

Glasgow

Speakeasy Cafe/Bar
Glasgow Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transpeople Centre
11 Dixon Street
St Enoch

Tam O' Shanter Writers

The Tam O'Shanter Writers are a new writers' group setting up in Dumfries town centre. Everyone is welcome to come along. Small, informal, exciting and hilarious - no fees - butties provided - bring along some of your own work and keep up to date with all local and national competitions and publishing tips. The group aims to encourage and motivate, with informal workshops held each week on a variety of topics - poetry, prose, scripts etc. Guest tutors include Hugh Macmillan.

For more info, just turn up on the night or
Email: tamoshanterwriters@hotmail.com and one of the group will get in touch.

Free

Dumfries

TBC

Other » Courses and seminars

Marvelou - call for submissions: found poetry

We are looking for found poetry that is both treated and untreated.  You could take words or phrases from several sources and re frame them to create something with a profound new insight, or you could leave the syntax in tact letting the original sing out.  I doesn't matter where it comes from, a road sign, a cookery book, a dress label, something you found at the back of a second-hand store:  what matters is how it sounds when it's read out loud, how it sizzles on the page.

For more information and how to submit please click here http://wp.me/pFCea-7e

The Rejection Club

Poetry magazine: Cress Press

Cress Press is a new poetry magazine which will be distributed in hard copy hopefully bi-annually. They are seeking submissions:

Submission Guidelines

Maximum of 5 poems (up to 48 lines each)
MS Word Format
To be sent to  cresspress@gmail.com
Website: www.cresspress.reviewtion.com

Residential Writing Workshops

Mark Thomson, author of Bard fae thi buildin Site, is now offering residential writing workshops set in the beautiful scenery of Glen Clova.   

Arrive Friday night in time for tea
2½ hour writing session Saturday am
2½ hour writing session Saturday pm
Saturday evenings performance
Sunday morning debrief and next steps
Leave after lunch

Accommodation is in The Bunkhouse at Glenclova Hotel, shared accommodation, price includes all meals and bed for the night — you just need to bring soap and a towel!

All the facilities of the Glen Clova Hotel are also available to all guests staying at the steading bunkhouse, including the bars and restaurant

For more information, email: markthomsonpoet@hotmail.co.uk

£150 per person

Angus

Glenclova

Creative Writing Retreats: Writing with a Sense of Place

An inspirational weekend of creative writing, reading out written work, feedback and discussion in a friendly and relaxed environment. 

Gullane, only a 30 minute drive from Edinburgh, is home to Muirfield where the British Open Golf Championship is sometimes held. In addition to fine vistas over the Firth of Forth to the Kingdom of Fife, there are long sandy beaches, woodland walks and Berwick Law to be enjoyed. Nearby is the fine town of North Berwick, with its attractive small harbour to explore and stimulate the creative imagination.

For further information and bookings on all activities, please call:
Tel: 07960 823 712
e-mail: prism.atic@virgin.net
www.creativwritingretreats.com

£175 per person | £150 per person on roomshare basis | £250 for couples per room | deposit £75

Gullane

Becoming a Poet: Edinburgh

Becoming a Poet 2010: a practical workshop-based course which covers all aspects of poetry-writing from improving your technical skills to putting together a first collection.

Becoming a Poet 2010 is a six month course from the Faber Academy. Beginning in October 2010, students will attend weekly evening workshops designed to develop an appreciation of the best poetry as a source for writing, to hone your practical skills, and to develop your editing skills.

In addition there will be six full-day sessions on one Saturday every month. The Course Directors, John Burnside and Jacob Polley, both acclaimed poetry and prose writers, will lead the sessions and divide the teaching between them. There will also be guest seminars led by well-known poets and publishers to provide a unique insight into the publishing industry and access to established poets.

Becoming a Poet 2010 is an intensive course aimed at new or experienced writers who aim to publish a first collection of poetry. You will be expected to devote as much time as possible to reading the work of other writers, and to writing new poems and editing existing ones so that by the end of the course you should be in a better position to assemble a strong body of work which you might consider submitting to key poetry journals and publishers. The seminars will be tailored to the needs of the group, but the Course Directors will lead both reading and writing workshops around a variety of themes. Students should finish the course with a greater and more rounded enjoyment of the pleasures of reading poetry as well as a fuller appreciation of poetic technique and composition.

Individual feedback will be given by the Course Directors and students will be expected to peer review each other's work on a regular basis. There will be opportunities for students to discuss 'next steps' with the Course Directors and with the guest speakers.

The course will be selective.

For more details: http://www.faber.co.uk/article/2010/3/becoming-poet-edinburgh-october-2010/

£3,500

Edinburgh

Sea Sound, Sea Shore

This week is an introduction to the art of journal-making for poets and poetry-writing for artists!  Your time will be spent on gentle walks, creative writing, paper-making, print-making and journal construction, allowing you to produce a unique artefact, a tactile record of the words and mementos you have gathered from the beaches and shoreline around Ullapool. No experience is necessary. 

For more information, see http://www.wildtiles.co.uk/Jmk33u.html

£250

Ullapool

An Talla Solais (Ullapool Visual Arts), Ullapool, Wester Ross

Words from the Wood

Delve into the ancient woods of Perthshire and find the words to describe the experience!  This course is composed of short walks, creative writing sessions, paper-making, print-making and journal construction, allowing you to produce a unique artefact: a tactile presentation of the words and findings gathered from a week spent surrounded by trees. No experience is necessary.

For more information, see http://www.wildtiles.co.uk/Jmk41c.html .  

£440 (sharing) or £475 (single)  

Crieff

Cove Park Residencies

Cove Park, Scotland's international artist residency centre, is host to two exciting residency programmes for writers this autumn. 

HOTHOUSE is an intensive weekend residency for poets tutored by Ron Butlin and Polly Clark, October 15-17. Individual accommodation and a maximum of eight residents. The FIELDING PROGRAMME runs for two weeks from October 18. Mentored by Polly Clark, this is a specialist residency programme for writers with a project which needs the immersion and support we offer to make progress. Join a small group of fellow writers (max of six) in the spectacular surroundings of Cove Park.

For more details go to www.fieldingprogramme.com

Argyll & Bute

Cove Park

Writing Weeks at Glencanisp Lodge

For a week of writing inspiration come for a week at Glencanisp Lodge in the north-west Highlands of Scotland. There are no qualifications required and no compulsory activities, just an opportunity for writers or other creative people to develop their work in progress in a peaceful and stunningly beautiful environment.

Previous visitors have said: 'I had a wonderful time, thank you so much. I feel refreshed and inspired…', 'I adored the peace and quiet, the scenery, the food and the company…', 'The best writing retreat in Western Europe …', 'What did I write? One new poem every day…', 'It was great. Being here allowed me to have insights into how to progress my novel…', 'Distance from my normal existence has produced work that I'm proud of, encapsulating some of the magic of this place…', 'A lovely house overlooking the most wonderful views…'.

Six weeks are available from 2010 to 2011:

• 11 – 18 September 2010
• 30 October – 6 November 2010
• 6 – 13 November 2010
• 8-15 January 2011
• 26 March – 2 April 2011

Any writers or other creative people are welcome on the weeks, which cost £480 per person (June, September) or £420 (October, November, January, March). The weeks run from Saturday to Saturday. Everyone gets a private and comfortable room to themselves, many of which have spectacular views out to the iconic mountain of Suilven or into the mature woods around the Lodge. Delicious home-cooked food is included. A facilitator is on hand to give feedback or writing advice if desired.

To reserve a place on a retreat please send a deposit of £200, cheque made out to 'Top Left Corner'. 

Website: www.topleftcorner.org

Organiser: Mandy Haggith

Email: hag@worldforests.org
Phone: +44 (0)1571 844020
Mobile : +44 (0)7734 235704

Address: Top Left Corner, 95 Achmelvich, Lochinver, Sutherland , IV27 4JB, Scotland

£480/420

North-west Highlands

Glencanisp Lodge

The Word of a Lie: Writing the Truth in Poems

The workshop will include:

•  group sessions
•  a one-to-one session with one of the tutors
•  a tour of the Wordsworth Trust site with an introduction to the collection
•  readings from both of the tutors

Helen Mort has published two pamphlet collections with tall-lighthouse press, most recently, A Pint for the Ghost , which was a Poetry Book Society Pamphlet Choice. A previous winner of the Foyle Young Poets competition, she received an Eric Gregory Award in 2007 and won the Manchester Young Writer prize in 2008. She has performed her work at Latitude, the Ledbury Festival and StAnza, and has written a live literature show (also called a pint for the ghost ') which will debut at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2010. Her first play Careless Torque was performed in Camden in 2009. She teaches creative writing for the Open University and is Poet in Residence at the Wordsworth Trust.

Jacob Polley has published two collections of poetry with Picador, The Brink and Little Gods . He was selected as one of the Next Generation of British poets in 2004. In 2002 he won an Eric Gregory Award and the Radio 4 Arts Council ‘First Verse' Award. His first novel, Talk of the Town , won the 2010 Somerset Maugham Award. He is a former Poet in Residence at the Wordsworth Trust. He was Visiting Fellow Commoner in Creative Arts at Trinity College, Cambridge, 2005-07 and is a hugely experienced poetry teacher.

Further information from Andrew Forster on A.Forster@wordsworth.org.uk
or 015394 35544

£80 not including food and accommodation, payable in advance. Optional evening meal on Saturday £17

Minimum number of participants required.

Grasmere

The Wordsworth Museum

Textualities: Call for submissions

Textualities (http://textualities.net/), an online magazine dealing with the book and writing, is interested in submissions of poetry, prose and critical essays, including mp3s of people reading their work.

Please visit the website for further information

Everywhere

Creative Writing

Discovering the Writer Within: a two-hour class with Alistair Paterson

For specific details and updates on all activities call:

07960 823 712
e-mail: prism.atic@virgin.net
http://www. creativewritingretreats.com

Please note change of venue, as Borders Bookshop has ceased trading.

£6.50 per session

Glasgow

19 Elmbank Street, Charing Cross

Genoch Cottage: a retreat for writers and artists

Liffy Grant, who has worked in publishing in Scotland for many years, and her husband Jonathan Meuli, who is an artist, have recently finished a series of alterations to Genoch cottage, which was originally a shepherd's cottage for Genoch Farm. The aim has been to create a home and a work-place where you can think and work creatively in beautiful surroundings.

For photographs, availability and prices, please visit: http://www.genochcottage.com/home.html

South Ayrshire

Near Girvan Valley and a mile from Galloway Forest

Other » Poetry related exhibitions

17 April – 4 September 2010 Sunday – Sunday 11am – 6pm

Thursday – Saturday 12 noon – 5pm or by appointment

Universal Miniature Golf

An exhibition of newly commissioned work created by the seminal artist Jimmie Durham during a three month Production Residency for Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art

Free

See related event with Kei Miller

Glasgow

Gallery 2, Glasgow Sculpture Studios, 145 Kelvinhaugh Street, G3 8PX

Memorial retrospective: the legacy of artist James B Munro

This memorial retrospective exhibition will celebrate the creative diversity of James Munro's life as artist and musician.

It will showcase Jim Munro's creative output from early college drawings and ceramics to later bronzes and stainless steel sculptures which won him much recognition, nationally at the Royal Scottish Academy and in international exhibitions. Twenty years after his death, the energy of the man is still palpable within the physical symbolism of his work.

The exhibition will also be the occasion for the launch of a book, On A Creative Note, which places Munro's life and work in the context of a time of major economic, political and cultural change, and which presents viewpoints which consider the changing role of the evolving art, education and jazz scene. Importantly the book is also enriched by new poetry and prose specially created by the Tyne and Esk Writers Group under the leadership of 'writer in residence' Brian Whittingham in 2009.

James Munro's website: www.jamesbmunroartist.com
For further enquiries, email munro64@btinternet.com

Free

Dalkeith

Dalkeith Arts Centre, White Hart Street, EH22 1AE