25/11/13
Yesterday I had the pleasure of lunching in the Waterfront, Portpatrick with members of 'Literate' - a group of Ayrshire writers who are also very good friends. Literate have released their latest anthology of dark tales with a twist, unsurprisingly called 'Dark Twists'. From discussions about noises in the night, witch rocks and shipwrecked mariners, it was easy to see where they got their ideas from.
The Waterfront is the perfect place to relax, with delicious food, friendly staff and a great sea view.
11/03/14
Enjoyed a 'cool' evening at the Basement on Old Bridge Street in Ayr. The venue is compact and intimate,the atmosphere friendly - perfect for storytelling, performance poetry, stand-up routines and impromptu music making. Throw in a coffee and a chance to catch up with what's going on and you have the perfect place for budding writers, musicians and performers.
Meetings every second Tuesday of the month.
3/05/14
Yesterday I drove down to Wigtown for the Wigtown Writers Gathering, a great chance to meet new, writer friends (new friends, not new writers) hear from eperts and enjoy a delicious buffet lunch. I attended workshops on children's writing and creating characters and had a one-to-one about editing my work. The day was rounded off with an informal poetry slam which turned out to be hilarious.
The Wigtown Writers Gathering is an annual event in May.
6/05/15
Settling in Orkney, where I have been made welcome by the Stromness writing group, a band of very talented writers who meet once a fortnight in Stromness library.
29/07/15
Managed to get down to one of the Ayr Writers' Club summer readaround meetings. Everyone is made welcome and the quality of work is amazing.
11/8/15
This was the Stromness Writers Group annual pilgrimage out east for the summer social in Toab. The setting was magnificent, the food sensational and the writing equal to it, although the 'summer' theme was interpreted somewhat loosely.
30/8/15 - 6/9/15
Stromness Open Window week on the theme of light. A display of poetry and artwork in the windows along the man street in Stromness.
13/02/16
This was the Luna Press dinner to celebrate the success of Beyond Realities, an anthology of new science and fantasy stories. It was at Hanam's in Edinburgh and a jolly and productive timewas had. The food was superb, and te company equal to it.
17/3/16
Launch of The Organist at Munroes Bar on Gt Western Road, Glasgow with book signing.
18/3/16 - 20/3/16
Scottish Association of Writers Annual Conference, neld at the Westerwood Hotel, Cumbernauld.