Edinburgh City Libraries

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The Festival of Scottish Writing 14 May - 29 May 2005

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Monday 16th May
Launch of Edinburgh City Libraries and Information Service’s Festival of Scottish Writing 2005.
Susan Deacon and local authors open the Festival in the Central Library
Invited audience.
Central Library 4.00-5.00pm

Boudica and Bloody Revolt
The acclaimed (crime) writer Manda Scott talks about Celtic warriors,
‘Hen’s teeth’ and horses. 'Nail-biting… the Patricia Cornwell of the animal world' said Frances Fyfield, in the Mail on Sunday. Having studied veterinary science in Glasgow, Manda moved to East Anglia to practise her chosen career. Contemporary crime writing has now taken over, with another of the Boudica series ‘Dreaming the Wren’, soon to be published.
Leith Library 7.00-8.00pm

Meet the Author - Ken MacLeod
“Stunningly assured, Inventive and Intelligent” are just some words used to describe author, Ken MacLeod’s unique style, described by some as the modern day George Orwell. Fans of science fiction get an unmissable chance to find out for themselves – come along and hear readings from his latest novel ‘Newton’s Wake’ and ‘Learning the World’ due to be published this August.
Stockbridge Library 7.00-8.00pm

‘Appearances’ with Jane Brettle
Jane Brettle will discuss her current photographic work in relation to previous lens based installations and site specific interventions. In all of these works she explores the significance of the body within institutional spaces from the Museum to the Law, most recently through a personal ‘rediscovery’ of the portrait. An exhibition of her portraits of professional women, entitled ‘airside’ was shown at the City Art Centre during the Edinburgh Festival in 2003.
Central Library, Learning Centre 6.30-8.00pm

Tuesday 17th May
Norway’s National Day
Celebrate Norway’s 100 years of Independence today
Christine de Luca, acclaimed Shetland poet and translator of Norse texts, reads from and talks about her poetry. In 1996 she won the Shetland Literary Prize for her first collection ‘Voes & Sounds’ with a third collection, ‘Plain Song’ published in 2002. Translated into Danish, Swedish and other languages her poetry exudes a sense of place.

Norwegian Song and Dance with a Three-Piece Band
Maria Johanson and her fellow musicians give us a flavour of Norwegian folk dance and song. Plus Norwegian Nibbles – or a taste of Norway!
Central Library, Board Room 3.00-4.30pm

Norwegian Novelist - Kjersti Scheen
Kjersti Scheen, author of ‘Final Curtain’, flies from Norway to talk about her best-selling novel, published in Norway 1994, now out here in paperback 2004. Neo-Nazis, a disappearing actress, and a lovesick punk daughter give Private Investigator Margaret Moss much pain and panic, along with lovesick blues over a lorry driver. Kjersti will talk about crime, writing and anything you care to ask her.
Central Library, Board Room 6.30-8.00pm

Zoë Strachan
Fresh from her appearance at the recent Glasgow Festival of Writing-‘Aye-Write! , Zoë Strachan heads east to talk about life, laundrettes and creative writing.
Her first novel ‘Negative Space’ was nominated for the Saltire First Book of the Year, the SAC Book of the Year, and won a Betty Trask Award. ‘Spin Cycle’ followed with furtive desires and hidden obsessions…
Portobello Library 7.00-8.00pm

Scandinavian Tales
Come and listen to Old Norse tales told by Audrey Parks, local storyteller. Audrey loves to tell folktales to all ages, a talent she has nurtured over the years, from first hearing her Granny’s stories in Ulster. As a member of Edinburgh’s Guid Crack Club and the Scottish Storytelling Foundation, Audrey has woven her magic in Ireland, Norway and the Edinburgh Fringe. Children’s event for those aged 5 years and over.
Currie Library 3.30-4.30pm

Wednesday 18th May
Pioneers: Scots in North America
Jenni Calder, author of ‘Scots in Canada’, talks about Scots abroad - a ‘must’ for family genealogists and those with family abroad.
Born in Chicago, Jenni has lived in South Queensferry since 1984, working at the National Museums of Scotland for many years.
Poetry, literary fiction and history feature in her many writings, the most recent of which is ‘Not Nebuchadnezzar: in search of Identities and Scots in the USA’.
Central Library, Board Room 7.00-8.00pm

Love a bit of romance?
Then come along to hear best-selling writers, Eileen Ramsay and Maggie Craig, talk about sagas and stories set in Scotland.
Eileen Ramsey ‘s previous book ‘Someday, Somewhere’ was nominated for the Romantic novel of the year award. Eileen lived in the USA for 18 years, teaching writing and bringing up a family.
Maggie Craig’s ‘Stationmaster’s Daughter’ is a passionate family saga set in Partick, Glasgow's West End, during the war years. Maggie Craig, herself a stationmaster's daughter, was brought up in Clydebank and now lives in Aberdeen. Her new novel ‘Dancing Days’will be published later this year.
Oxgangs Library 7.00-8.00pm

Thursday 19th May
An Evening with the Makar Poets
Makar Poets hail from Ayrshire, coming together in 2004. All have published individual collections and are now preparing an anthology. Currently recording for the Radio Scotland programme ‘Cover Stories’, they aim to make poetry accessible and enjoyable for all. Check out their poetry at Makar Press. Makar Poets regularly perform at the Scottish Poetry Library.
Blackhall Library 7.00-8.00pm

Lin Anderson
Writer, screenwriter, and creator of forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod, Lin Anderson talks about ‘Torch’, her latest novel (A ruthless arsonist on the loose somewhere in Edinburgh and Hogmanay is fast approaching….) and discusses what makes a good plot.
Morningside Library 7.00-8.00pm

Isla Dewar
Isla Dewar, hugely popular author of 11 novels returns to Edinburgh Libraries’ Festival of Scottish Writing to share her thoughts on novel writing and family secrets. Find out what authors influence her writing and what inspired her latest novel ‘Secrets of a family album’.
Newington Library 7.00-8.00pm

Edinburgh Characters and Curiosities
Join Hamish Coghill this evening to enjoy anecdotes featuring tales of the Old Calton Jail and the Old Theatre Royal. Tales loosely based on ‘Edinburgh Curiosities’ by James Thomson, which Hamish recently edited. Participate in tale-telling in a fine evening of reminiscence.
Central Library, Board room 6.30-8.00pm

Tuesday 24th May
Everything you wanted to know about children’s books but were afraid to ask….
A wonderful opportunity to hear renowned children’s book expert Wendy Cooling, author, initiator of the Bookstart scheme and children’s book reviewer. Wendy will be talking about the pleasures and benefits of books and reading for children of all ages from babies to teenagers. Parents, grandparents, teachers, early years workers, everybody welcome- come along with any questions for this inspirational speaker.
Free tickets available from Central Lending enquiry desk from two weeks before the event.
Central Library 7.00-8.00pm

Shipping from Leith – talk by Robin S Salvesen
Norwegian Independence Event
Robin recounts his life’s involvement with ships - as a merchant navy officer, then as part of the family shipping firm founded in Leith by Norwegian born Christian Salvesen. Holding a variety of positions, such as Director of the Shipping division Robin found time to write the ‘Ship’s Husband’. Robin will give a unique insight into Edinburgh’s whaling and trading links with Norway along with his own memoirs.
Leith Library 7.00-8.00pm

Reportage Scotland -History in the Making– talk by Louise Yeoman
Historian Louise Yeoman gives a quick entertaining dip into her book ‘History in the Making’, an eclectic mix covering 2000 years of Scottish history. Taste the flavour of Scottish historical events both major and minor by the people who witnessed them. Live the Edinburgh life as experienced many years ago.
Blackhall Library 7.00-8.00pm

Thursday 26th May
‘Bothies and Bealachs: rocking highland adventure’, an illustrated talk
See the Scotland’s wildest mountains and glens through the eyes of veteran climbers Ian Mitchell and Peter Kemp. Copies of ‘Mountain Days and Bothy Nights’ and ‘Of Big Hills and Wee Men’ will be on sale at the event. Plus- how to get hold of that mythical ‘Register of Scottish Mountain Bothies’!
Wester Hailes Library 7.00-8.30pm

Landscape and Wildlife Photography
Explore the wilds of Scotland with Sandy Cleland, FRPS, AFIAP, ex- President and current member of the Edinburgh Photographic Society. Sandy has given lectures, particularly on photographing nature, since 1979, winning many prizes. See his photos, pick up tips, and enjoy his considerable expertise with landscape and wildlife photography. Images of Inverpolly evening, Glen Affric and Misty mornings delight the eye.
Central Library 6.30-8.00pm

Lunchtime Short Story Reading
Edinburgh City Libraries welcomes the first of our series of lunchtime readings with the acclaimed poet and writer, Dilys Rose. Dilys will be reading from her own short stories, from her recent publication ‘Lord of Illusions and other stories’.
Central Library, Board Room 12.30-1.15pm

Mini-fiction Workshop - Flash Fiction for all levels
Learn how to write short stories with Dilys Rose, recent author of ‘Lord of Illusions and other stories’.
Central Library, Board Room 2.00-4.00pm

Drama Writing Workshop
Make you writing move with Christopher Deans of the Traverse Theatre.
Workshop on character development in drama – benefit from Chris’s experience with the Traverse Theatre, Borderline, 7:84, Glasgay and the Citizen’s Theatre. Recently appointed to the post of playwright in residence with the Traverse, this is his first session with Edinburgh City Libraries. So impress him with your dramatic creativity! Central Library 6.00-8.00pm

Other Events
Norwegian Poets
Director Robyn Marsack of the Scottish Poetry Library will be hosting an event to celebrate Norwegian Poetry at the end of May (26-27th May). Email Robyn Marsack for more information.

The Debut Authors Festival 3rd-5th June 2005
At The Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh
The festival will introduce the most exciting new writers from Britain and beyond. Over seven events, these writers and poets will be discussing every aspect of being published for the first time. The festival will be a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in reading or writing books. For further information email Pru Rowlandson or tel 07906 587 195