CCA Literature Events

Scottish Writers' Centre presents Margaret Elphinstone, In Process

01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Part of Scottish Writers’ Centre's series of In Process presentations where well-known literary figures share an exploration of their creative process with an emphasis on aspects of crafting, using readings and other media of their choice to illustrate how and what works for them.

Our third presentation is made by novelist Margaret Elphinstone from Galloway, where she was working as a gardener when her first novel was published in 1987. Her latest novel, The Gathering Night, was published by Canongate in 2009. She is the author of seven previous novels as well as poetry and short stories. The Sea Road, which appears in List Magazine’s ‘100 best Scottish books of all time’ won a Scottish Arts Council book award.

She is a graduate of Durham University and an Emeritus Professor of Strathclyde University where she was a member of the English Studies Department from 1990-2008. Apart from spells of academic work in the USA, she has spent her working life in various parts of Scotland including Shetland and Edinburgh.

This event is supported by the Scottish Book Trust.

Scottish Writers' Centre presents The Writer's Life with Valerie Gillies and Lesley O'Brien

15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Lesley O’Brien will share a little of her experience of using creative words for good mental health and will give a sample from her workshop, Hidden Inside Us There Lives an Old Woman. With guitar and song, alongside fiddler Mhairi Ross, the workshop taps into our memories of the old crone, inspired by the tale of La Loba, The Wolf Woman from the book Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes.

Taught initially to play fiddle by her granny from Rossshire, Mhairi Ross is also an RSAMD graduate, plays in several bands and works with GAMH.

Valerie Gillies is a poet who sets out to record our relationship with the land and its animals at this point in time. She has published seven collections of poetry and her work is internationally known and been translated into several languages, as a representative of the best in Scottish poetry. She often collaborates and exhibits with visual artists and musicians. Inscriptions of her text in sculpture or installation can be seen at sites across Scotland. She was The Edinburgh Makar, or poet laureate to the city, from 2005 to 2008.

This event is supported by the Scottish Book Trust.

Leabhar 's Craic

31 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Now in its fourth year, Leabhar 's Craic, Glasgow's Gaelic literary festival will takes place on 30 - 31 March. In its new extended format, over two days, the festival includes workshops, book launches, informal book profiles, panel discussions, poetry readings, performances, kids activities and fringe events at the literary corner. This year there will be a celebration of Aonghas MacNeacail in recognition of his 70th birthday celebrations and music with Ceòl ‘s Craic over both nights.

Ceòl ‘s Craic is the vibrant social hub and platform for contemporary Gaelic culture in Glasgow. Join us in April for new collaborative work between Welsh and Gaelic musicians, film, art workshops, the conversation café and drama.

Saturday 31 March: 10am - 7pm
Ceòl ‘s Craic: from 8pm

Scottish Writers’ Centre presents Alan Bissett, In Process

12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Scottish Writers’ Centre continues the 2012 series of In Process presentations whereby well-known literary figures will share an exploration of their creative process with an emphasis on aspects of crafting using readings and other media of their choice to illustrate how and what works for them. Our fourth presentation will be given by Alan Bissett who was recently named Scottish Writer of the Year 2011 at the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland awards.

Alan is a full-time novelist, playwright and performer. His play, Turbo Folk, was shortlisted for Best New Play at the Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland, and his 'one-woman show', The Moira Monologues, which he wrote and performed, toured to great acclaim and has been bought for development by the BBC. The short film which he wrote and narrated, The Shutdown, has won seven awards at international film festivals, is now the most profitable UK short film of the last ten years and went on to be shortlisted for a Scottish BAFTA. Alan’s book, Death of a Ladies' Man, was also shortlisted for Best Novel of the Year at the Scottish Arts Council Awards. His fourth novel, Pack Men, was released in September 2011 and has been described by Irvine Welsh as a 'landmark in Scottish literature'.