Southlight Issue 2 Out Now

The latest arrival on Scotland's literary magazine scene, Southlight, is out now from the team at Crichton Campus. Issue Two features work from Gillian Allnut, Judi Benson, Donald S Murray and Andre Mangeot, a recent winner in the inaugural Wigtown Poetry Competition.

Copies are available from Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries, or contact Angus MacMillan.

Introduction to Screenwriting Express

The Writers Factory:
‘Introduction to Screen Writing Express’
with Eleanor Yule
10-11, 17-18 February

A four-day course designed for anyone looking to explore their story-telling instincts, study the craft of screenwriting and develop an idea into a short screenplay. Designed by Phil Parker in partnership with the UK Film Council, the course aims to improve the quality of British screenwriting at grassroots level. The course has been running successfully throughout the UK since 2004, and this is the first time that it will run in Dumfries and Galloway. The course will take place over two weekends (10-11th, 17th-18th February), and will be lead by award-winning writer/director Eleanor Yule (‘Blinded’). The course fees are £175.00 and will be held at the Gracefield Arts Centre and the Robert Burns Centre. Book early to avoid disappointment.

For further information and an application form, please email Alice.Stilgoe@dumgal.gov.uk or call 01387 263094 or visit http://www.rbcft.co.uk/.

Burns Night at the Bakehouse

Saturday January 27th
7.00 for 7.30pm

The Bakehouse presents...
Gerry Cambridge

Gerry Cambridge has published three full-length poetry collections: The Shell House, Madame Fifi's Farewell and Nothing But Heather, a collection of poems accompanying his own wildlife photographs, written while Writer in Residence at Brownsbank Cottage, Hugh MacDiarmid's former home. He also plays a mean harmonica!

with
Dianne Stafford
Dianne has set a series of poems by Bakehouse favourite Josephine Neill to the clarsach with some of Rabbie’s too! Not to mention our usual Bakehouse Floor spots...

Tickets £8.00 (£7.00 concs) includes a hot toddy and haggis nibbles.
To book ring 01557 814196 or email bookings@thebakehouse.info or chryssalt2@aol.com

Flash Fiction Podcast Now Online

You can now hear ten top stories from the 2006 Flash Fiction competition online in the DGAA podcast at www.dgpodcast.blogspot.com. Thanks to the presenters at Southwest Sound Radio for doing a sterling production job and reading with panache and passion.

Listen out also for three monologues recorded for Hamish MacDonald, the Robert Burns Writing Fellow, and poetry in English, Scots and Gaelic by 13 of the region's leading poets.

Flash Fiction competition winner Sally Jordan receiving her prize from artist Andrew Foley

'Craiturs' Launch

'Craiturs: Snapshots of Life from Dumfries & Galloway and beyond'
Stories and Poems by Alex Berry and Elaine Palmer
Edited by Hamish MacDonald

Join Alex Berry, Elaine Palmer and Hamish MacDonald for the launch of 'Craiturs', a special anthology from Hamish's 'Writing from Life' work during his time as Robert Burns Fellow with Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association. Alex and Elaine will be reading poems and stories based on their own experiences, and Hamish will be introducing the book and giving a flavour of his own work during the past year. Free event.

Lochthorn Library, Dumfries
Wednesday 17th January 7:30pm

Bladnoch Distillery, Bladnoch, Wigtown
Thursday 18th January 7.00pm

Storytelling at the Farm

Stories, songs and music to see you through the long winter...
Castle Creavie Farm near Kirkcudbright is holding a series of monthly story gatherings by the fire. All are welcome to bring along a story, song or music, or just sit and enjoy the evening.

Dates and themes are as follows:
13th December - Deep Mid-Winter Tales for a Winter's Night
17th January - Deezing and Thawing
21st February - Candlemas, Flittings and Hirings
21st March - Ides of March: Madness and Hope
18th April - Birth and Youth

All evenings start at 7pm (refreshments) for 7.30pm
Suggested contribution: £5 (£3 concessions), including refreshments.
For more information, contact Charlie or Elaine Wannop 01557 500238 cwannop@ccrc.demon.co.uk or John Wheeler on 01664 450683

In the Saddle Hits the Spot

Castle Douglas author Anthony Davis has scored a big hit with football fans with his recently published story of a remarkable cycle ride. In the Saddle for the Saddlers describes his 184-mile round trip to Liverpool to support his beloved Walsall 40 years ago. The book comes with lavish illustrations and offers 'a delightful cameo of football following in 1961'. Copies are available from Tony Davis at 60 St Andrew St, Castle Douglas, DG7 1EN, price £4.95 + £1 p+p.

Infirmary Anthology from Judi Benson

D&G Royal Infirmary Writer in Residence Judi Benson has edited an inspiring collection of work by hospital staff and patients as part of her work with the oncology department. 'Not Just Words' brings together nearly 70 writers, among them consultants, nurses, carers, spouses, volunteers, archivists, psychologists, admin personnel, as well as patients and poets in the community. The predominant form is the one-word sonnet devised by Augustus Young, and poems encompass joy, sorrow, pain and levity on a range of themes, including the hospital setting.

A percentage of income from sales will go to The Macmillan Unit at Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary.

Both Sides of Hadrian's Wall

Saturday 18th November
2-6pm County Hotel, Selkirk

Several of the region's writers are represented in a new cross-border poetry anthology, Both Sides of Hadrian's Wall, which is being launched in Selkirk. Published by Selkirk's Lapwing Press, the anthology includes over 70 poets from around the Scottish-English border area. For more information, email editor Robert Leach at Selkirk Lapwing Press.

Linda Cracknell Fiction Workshop

December 6th
5.30-7.30pm
Drama Studio, Glasgow University Crichton Campus, Dumfries

A return visit to Crichton Writers from fiction writer and playwright Linda Cracknell, after her inspiring 'Getting Started' session for short story writers earlier this year. Participants must submit first and last paragraphs of a new story in advance.

Info: Vivien Jones 01461 700396