BBC Radio 4: The Long Road to Iona

Whithorn writer Janette Walkinshawe has just recorded an Afternoon Play for BBC Radio 4 with producer David Ian Neville. 'The Long Road to Iona' will be broadcast on 30th August at 2.15, with a cast including Jimmy Chisholm, most recently seen at the Swallow Theatre in the touring production, "The Collection". He appears along with Ann Scott Jones, Finlay Welsh, Susan Coyle, James Bryce and Jim Webster-Stewart.

Crichton Campus Creative Writing Awards

Results of the Glasgow University Crichton Campus Creative Writing Awards 2006:

Muriel Carmichael Prose Prize
1. Jackie Galley
2. Vivien Jones
3 Heather Baird

Commended : Pam Gulland

Kirkpatrick Dobie Poetry Prize
1. Vivien Jones
2. Jackie Galley
3. Betty Tindal

Commended : Eryl Shields

Steven Runciman Essay Prize

Winner: Ashley Park

Highly Commended:
Angela Callaghan
Judith Dawson
Joe Smith

Southlight Sits. Vac.

Come on board Scotland's liveliest new literary magazine!

Southlight magazine, the new literary magazine from the southwest of Scotland, is looking for an energetic volunteer to help with administration and publication.

If you're computer-literate and a good organiser, willing to volunteer around an hour a week to handle submissions and help out with producing two issues a year, get in touch with the editorial team's Jo Abbott via wurrbit@hotmail.com.

Poetry in the Woods Launch

Words and walks have come together in a new poetry trail in Dumfries & Galloway. Mabie Forest near Dumfries is the home of the just-opened 'Poetry in the Woods' walkroute - the brainchild of poet and ecologist Jackie Galley, with support from Scottish Natural Heritage and Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association. It brings together work by regional poets who've taken part in outdoors poetry workshops by writers including wildlife expert Gerry Cambridge.

Flash Fiction Workshops 2

Flash Fiction workshops are now underway across the region with DGAA Virtual Writing Fellow Jules Horne - a chance to brush up your writing skills in time to enter the Writers' Forum Flash Fiction competition. Please email jules_horne@yahoo.co.uk to book. Remaining dates are:

Mon 10th July – 7-8.30pm
Lockerbie Library

Tues 11th July – 2-3.30pm
Dumfries Nth West Resource Centre

Thurs 13th July – 11am-12.30
Stranraer Library

And if you can't make it to a workshop, visit the DGAA Online Writers' Hub and download the flash fiction worksheet for tips and inspiration.

The Art of Ballads & Bards - Sheila Mullen Project

Dumfries-based Crichton Writers have teamed up with painter Sheila Mullen for an exciting cross-art project. Over the summer, they're creating work that explores the relationship between writing and painting, leading in the autumn to an anthology, a programme of viewings and readings, and a dramatised piece at the Swallow Theatre.

Performance Dates:

Thursday 14th September 6.00 pm.
Viewing and Readings. Crichton Foyer & Drama Studio.
Refreshments :Wine and Nibbles.

Thursday 21st September 7.30 pm.
Viewings and Readings, Broughton House. Kirkcudbright.
Refreshments: White wine and elderflower cordial.

Tuesday 3rd October. 7.30 pm.
Viewings and Readings, Chambers Gallery. Moffat.
Refreshments :Wine and Nibbles.

Information: Vivien Jones

Poetry in the Woods Trail Opening

Tuesday 27th June, 6pm
Mabie Car Park, Mabie Forest

The Poetry in the Woods project enters a new era with the launch of its woodland poetry trail in Mabie Forest. This opening event is a chance to walk the route, and hear a selection of poems read by the participating poets. Light refreshments will be served!

To book, ring Andrew Forster at DGAA on 01387 253383 or email andrew@dgaa.net.

Southlight Issue 1 Out

Introducing a fine new addition to the Scottish literary magazine scene: Southlight is a new literary journal that aims to bring the best in new prose, poetry and critical work from across Scotland and beyond.

A joint venture between DGAA Literature Department, Crichton Campus Writers’ Centre and a volunteer editorial and production team, Southlight launched at the Wigtown Spring Book Fair on 29th April and has been receiving warm acclaim ever since. Copies (£4.00) are available from Angus MacMillan.

Issue One features work from Linda Cracknell, Ruth Thompson, Vicki Feaver, Hugh MacMillan, John Manson, Mick Parkin, Ian McDonough, Tom Pow, Margery Palmer McCulloch, Jacob Polley, Liz Niven, Jackie Galley, Laura Helyer and an interview with Jackie Kay.

Tom Pow at the Bakehouse

Saturday 10th June
The Bakehouse presents...

Tom Pow is back at the Bakehouse by popular request. Many of you will remember the wonderful evening we had when Tom and Diana Hendry helped launch the venue with their wonderful little book ‘Sparks’ in February 2004. The Bakehouse has come a long way since then! There's now a Bakehouse and Markings website, so you can book by going to www.thebakehouse.info.

To book, call 01557 814 196 or email chryssalt2@aol.com or sunnyrathore@btconnect.com
Tickets free
The Bakehouse, 44 The High Street Gatehouse of Fleet

Flash Fiction workshops

To get you geared up for the D&G Flash Fiction competition, we're running a series of flash fiction workshops across the region. It's also a chance to catch up on developments in year 2 of the virtual residency.

Workshops are being hosted by local writers' groups, but are open to the public. Max of 15 places on each, so please book by ringing Andrew Forster on 01387 253383 or emailing andrew@dgaa.net.

Mon 26th June 1-3pm
Room 120, Crichton Campus, Dumfries
(hosted by Crichton Writers)

Wed 28th June 2-3.30pm
Newton Stewart Library
(hosted by Wigtown Scribblers)

Mon 10th July 7-8.30pm
Lockerbie Library
(hosted by Lockerbie Writers)

Tuesday 11th July, afternoon time tbc
Dumfries Nth West Resource Centre
(hosted by Broken Pencils)