BOOKS | Events Monday 28

Edinburgh FREE Sex, Sin and Spirituality: The Lives of Women in 19th Century Scotland National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3748. 6pm. The editors of Scottish Women: A Documentary History, 1780– 1914 share the experiences of Scottish women in the 19th century using their own words and writings. FREE Juliet Conlin: The Fractured Man Looking Glass Books, 36 Simpson Loan, Quartermile, 229 2902. 6.30–8.30pm. Free but ticketed. London-born, Berlin-based writer Juliet Conlin reads from her new thriller, published by Cargo.

Tuesday 29

Edinburgh FREE Alexander Moffat and Alan Riach: Arts of Independence National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3734. 6–7pm. The pair talk about an important but neglected aspect of Scotland’s bid for independence. FREE SPL Poetry Workshop Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 6–8pm. A writing workshop suitable for writers at any stage in their career. Wednesday 30

Edinburgh Ghostly Stories with Jeremy Dyson The Banshee Labyrinth,

29–35 Niddry Street, 622 8218. 6pm. £3. Get your Hallowe’en started a day early with novelist Jeremy Dyson, who penned The Haunted Book after going on a search for the truth behind ghost tales (note: he was once ‘a hardened sceptic’). Presented by Blackwell’s Bookshop. The Year of Unnatural Scotland Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 7.30–10.30pm. £5 (£4). Spooky stories for a spooky time of year. Writers’ Bloc presents.

Thursday 31 Edinburgh Fright Night! SPL Hallowe’en Poetry Party Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 6.30pm. £5 (£4). Games, music, television clips, spooky films and as much creepy poetry as participants can muster, whether their own original compositions or a classic, like Poe’s ‘The Raven’.

Friday 1

Glasgow John Cooper Clarke SWG3, Studio Warehouse, 100 Eastvale Place, 357 7246. 7pm. £20. The legendary Mancunian punk poet hauls his insatiable laconic wit on tour. Edinburgh Illicit Ink Skyground Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 8–10pm. £5 (£3). Illicit Ink’s narrative-focused spoken word event offers an unusual set-up: a crew of writers work together to create an ensemble story with a complete narrative arc. Tonight’s theme is Apocalypse New.

Haddington Lennoxlove Book Festival Lennoxlove House, 0844 357 7611.

Times vary. Prices vary. Until Sun 3 Nov. Set in the picturesque surroundings of Lennoxlove House, this year’s book fest includes appearances from controversial scientist Richard Dawkins, comedian Viv Groksop, best-selling author Kate Mosse and journalist Kirsty Wark, along with Christopher Brookmyre, William McIlvanney and other masters of Tartan Noir.

56 THE LIST 17 Oct–14 Nov 2013

An eclectic and experimental night of poetry. Caesura #18 features writer, filmmaker and artist Sandra Alland, structure-obsessed poet Iain Morrison, poet Karen Veitch and Californian PhD student James Leveque.

Saturday 9 Edinburgh Nothing but the Poem Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 11am. £5 (£4). See Tue 5.

Monday 11

Edinburgh FREE Blind Poetics Blind Poet, 32c West Nicolson Street, 667 4268. 8–11pm. A night of spoken word and poetry, hosted by Alec Beattie. This month’s headliner is poet and musician JL Williams. Ayrshire Imprint Various venues, 01563 554300. Times vary. Prices vary. Until Sat 16 Nov. A literary festival with a community feel. With local authors William McIlvanney and Zoe Strachan as patrons, Imprint attracts a range of writers and performers while workshops and the Imprint Writing Award allow up-and-comers to test their talents.

Tuesday 12

Glasgow FREE What Goes On in an Editor’s Head, and Why? University of Glasgow, University Avenue, 330 5511. 5.15pm. John Simpson, Chief Editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, talks about why words are important, and how they link us to the past and to the future. An Evening with Tawona Sithole CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7–8.30pm. £6 (£3; SWC members free). The Zimbabwe-born, Glasgow-based poet, playwright and musician talks about his career and the use of humour in his work. Edinburgh FREE John Killick: Dementia Positive Looking Glass Books, 36 Simpson Loan, Quartermile, 229 2902. 6.30pm. John Killick launches his new book, which shares his quest for a new approach to the disease. Hosted by Professor Dawn Brooker, director of Association of Dementia Studies. The School of Poets Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 8–11pm. £2 for taster session; £10 for annual membership. Workshop- type poetry session aiming to encourage and develop writing skills. All levels of experience welcome. Bring along 4–5 copies of one of your poems.

Wednesday 13 Edinburgh FREE Robert Louis Stevenson and His Pirates of the Caribbean National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3748. 6pm. NLS curator Andrew Martin explores the success and impact of Treasure Island, which has now been gracing bookshelves for 130 years.

Thursday 14 Edinburgh FREE Spotlight on: Ballad of the Five Marys National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 0300 123 6789. 2pm. Donald Smith talks about his fiction, which explores the life of the monarch through the eyes of of her handmaidens. Donna Tartt: The Goldfinch Assembly Roxy, 2 Roxburgh Place, 623 3030. 7pm. £8 (£5). The best-selling American author shows off her latest, The Goldfinch. See review, page 53.

SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL Scotland may boast a wealth of talent in music, art and theatre but sometimes you just can’t beat letting your imagination run wild over a good story. This is the main ethos of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, a ten-day celebration of sharing tales, anecdotes, songs and ballads, inspired by the traditional Scottish ceilidh sense of community and togetherness. With this year’s festival exploring the stories of travellers, voyagers and pilgrims, why not pop along and see where it takes you. Various venues around Edinburgh, Fri 18–Sun 27 Oct.

Saturday 2 Linlithgow Linlithgow Book Festival Various venues, linlithgowbookfestival.org Times vary. Prices vary. Until Fri 8 Nov. Small, volunteer-run literary festival that manages to pull in an impressive roster of guests, with a slight lean toward history and crime fiction. This year’s guests include Richard Holloway, Christopher Brookmyre and William McIlvanney. Plus, poetry, open mics, discussion and family events.

Tuesday 5

Edinburgh FREE Muriel Spark Society Annual Lecture National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3748. 6pm. Bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith gives this year’s lecture, focusing on Edinburgh’s role as a literary backdrop. Nothing but the Poem Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 6pm. £5 (£4). An investigation of the work of American poet Robert Wrigley. No prior knowledge required.

Wednesday 6

Glasgow Voices of War Cottiers Theatre, 93–95 Hyndland Street, 01292 561347. 7.30–10pm. £15. Actors Gareth Thomas and Una Ailsa Macnab in an evening of poetry, readings and music in aid of Combat Stress, the veteran’s mental health charity. Word Play Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 552 4267. 8.30pm. £2. Open mic night with acoustic music, poetry and prose, hosted by the Word Factory. Edinburgh FREE Calton Hill Journeys and Evocations Central Library, 7–9 George IV Bridge, 242 8100. 6.30–7.30pm. Free but ticketed. Stuart McHardy and Donald Smith introduce

the follow-up to their volume on Arthur’s Seat. FREE Tricolour: NLS Poetry Night National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3748. 6.30pm. Three spoken word and performance poets with three different styles. This month, it’s Morag Edward, Anita Govan and Richard Medrington.

Thursday 7 Glasgow FREE Libby McGugan: The Eidolon Waterstones, 153–157 Sauchiehall Street, 332 9105. 6.30pm. Free but ticketed. The author launches her debut novel, a mix of science, philosophy and espionage. FREE St Mungo’s Mirrorball The Poetry Club, 100 Eastvale Place, 357 7246. 7pm. Mirrorball Showcase 5 features readings from poet, critic and editor Sean O’Brien, New York writer Chris Agee and poet and professor Eoghan Walls. An Audience with Jackie Kay Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 552 4267. 10pm. £10 (children £7.50). A chance to hear from the author of The Maw Broon Monologues and Red Dust Road. Glasgay!.

Edinburgh FREE Ian Rankin: Saints of the Shadow Bible Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street, 226 2666. 12.30pm. The author signs copies of the latest in his popular Rebus series. Early arrival recommended. FREE Dyslexia Awareness Week: Beyond the Authors with Theresa Breslin Piershill Library, 30 Piersfield Terrace, 529 5685. 6–7.30pm. Free but ticketed. Carnegie Prize-winning writer Theresa Breslin talks about her work, including her story about a dyslexic boy.

Friday 8 Edinburgh FREE Caesura The Artisan, 35 London Road, 07719 481092. 7.30pm.