A Sense of Place

Work by Powfoot writer Vivien Jones appears in the new anthology, A Sense of Place - a collection of new stories about Scotland to mark the first anniversary of Edinburgh becoming the first permanent UNESCO City of Literature.

'Diverse, lyrical, factual, perceptive and humorous - a kaleidoscope of views ona sense of place in Scotland at the beginning of this millennium.' - Tom Devine.

Drama Development Day

Drama Development Day

with
David Ian Neville BBC Scotland Radio Drama
Philip Howard Artistic Director, Traverse Theatre

Saturday 26th November :: 10am-4pm :: Royal Hotel, St Cuthbert’s Street, Kirkcudbright

Interested in writing for stage or radio?
This practical workshop offers a mix of hands-on advice and inspiration to anyone interested learning more about in the art and craft of playwriting for the stage or radio. It’s aimed at writers with some experience of drama or other forms of writing.

Led by David Ian Neville, (Development Producer, BBC Scotland Radio Drama), and Philip Howard (Artistic Director, Traverse Theatre), this all-day event is a rare chance to explore the nuts and bolts of playwriting with two Scotland’s most experienced new writing producers.

Philip Howard is Artistic Director of the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, where he has directed 17 world premieres of plays by leading writers including David Greig, David Harrower, Catherine Czerkawska and Iain Crichton Smith. His productions have won three Fringe Firsts and toured to New York and Tehran.

David Ian Neville works as a Drama Producer, developing and producing plays and series for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 3. He has also worked as a producer on The Archers and as a freelance writer and director, winning an Edinburgh Festival Fringe First for his stage play ‘Exile’.

Up to 15 places are available. Cost £5. Book now by emailing andrew@dgaa.net, or ring 01387 253353 for more information.

This event has been organised by Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association, with support from the Scottish Arts Council.

Southlight

SOUTH
LIGHT

a new literary magazine publishing
the best in poetry, prose and critical work
***

Editorial Board : Jo Abbott , Jackie Galley, Angus Macmillan

***
SOUTHLIGHT is a creative collaboration between Crichton Campus Writers’ Centre and Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association. The first issue will be published in late November 2005. SOUTHLIGHT welcomes submissions of unpublished poetry and short stories. Writers are asked to submit hard copy in the first instance on single sided, double spaced A4 paper in size 12 font. Poems (max 6 x 60 lines) prose ( 2000 words) .

Submissions to
Isobel Gibson : SOUTHLIGHT
Crichton Campus. Rutherford-McCowan Building.
Bankend Road. Dumfries DG1 4ZL

Beyond the Wall

15th October until 12th November
Designs Gallery, Castle Douglas

Beyond the Wall
The latest exhibition of poetry and photography by Angus Macmillan and Derek Ross. It follows their earlier exhibitions 'Tidelines' and 'Canan's Solus', and is a poetic and photographic exploration of some of the physical and psychological roles that walls have in our lives.

Joined-Up Writing

Crichton Writers and Wigtown Scribblers have launched a new anthology, Joined-Up Writing, featuring prose and poetry by over twenty of the region's writers. Both groups are relatively new additions to the Dumfries & Galloway writing scene, with great things promised in this cracking anthology. Copies are available from Anne Dunford.

Wigtown Poetry Competition

Don Paterson

Entries are now being accepted for the first Wigtown Poetry Competition, launched at the recent Wigtown Book Festival. A top prize of £2,000 (£1,000 additional Gaelic prize) makes it the biggest poetry award in Scotland. The judges are Don Paterson and Aonghas Macneacail (Gaelic).

Entries in English, Gaelic or Scots are open to anyone aged 16 and over, both within and outside the United Kingdom. It's also possible to enter online here.

Herald Poem of the Day

'Solway Sunset' by Jackie Galley recently appeared in the national press as The Herald's 'Poem of the Day'
......

Solway Sunset

The early morning light picks out folds and ripples
in the saltmarsh
like bedsheets creased overnight
until the heat of the day irons them flat.

In the afternoon
the tide slips out
leaving a trail of perspiration
under the stare of the hot sun

In the evening the estuary is the platter
on which is served Victoria plum sunsets,
ripe, soft red fruit
dripping juice on the Lakeland hills.

© Jackie Galley 2005

Fresh Talent from Scotland

Laura Marney

Four of Scotland's sparkiest new writers are descending on Dumfries as part of Ottakers' 'Fresh Talent from Scotland' tour. Sophie Cooke, Keith Grey, Susie Maguire and Laura Marney will be reading from their work and discussing the contemporary writing scene at the Crichton Campus (Rutherford-McCowan building) on Thurs 13th October at 6pm.
More info here.

Lockerbie Life

21 years in Dumfries and Galloway are being celebrated in an exhibition of writing, painting and photography by multitalented Lockerbie poet and artist Eric Davidson. It's running at Lockerbie Library from 30th Sept to 8th Oct, and rounds off with readings and music at the town's Library and Crown Hotel on Saturday 8th. Details here.

Poetry Doubles 2

Nine nights guaranteed to stir your soul!

The innovative Poetry Doubles series returns: ten of the country's finest poets pair with Dumfries & Galloway's rising stars for evenings of poetry, power and passion at venues across the region.



Monday 15th August
Special Launch Event
Helen Farish and Tom Pow
Robert Burns Centre, Dumfries

Wed 17th August
Don Paterson and Mary Smith
Mill on the Fleet, Gatehouse of Fleet

Monday 22nd August
John Stammers and Derek Ross
Robert Burns Centre, Dumfries

Monday 29th August
Choman Hardi and Irene Leake
Robert Burns Centre, Dumfries

Wed Aug 31st
Gillian Allnutt and Jackie Galley
Bladnoch Distillery, Wigtown

Monday Sept 5th
Jackie Kay and Anne Dunford
Robert Burns Centre, Dumfries

Monday Sept 12th
Kate Clanchy and Ron McKechnie
Robert Burns Centre, Dumfries

Monday Sept 19th
Adrian Mitchell and Laura Helyer
Robert Burns Centre, Dumfries

Thursday Sept 22nd
Les Murray and Alex Berry
Old Well Theatre, Moffat

All readings start at 7pm.
Tickets £5.00 from Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association on 01387 253383.
Special offer of £35.00 for the whole series.