Scottish writer Kirsty Logan has been longlisted for the Polari First Book Prize.
Now in its fifth year, the Prize is awarded annually to a writer whose first book explores the LGBT experience, whether in poetry, prose, fiction or non-fiction. Also on the long list of ten books is The Other Ida, by Amy Mason, which is published by Glasgow’s Cargo Publishing. Logan has been included on the list for The Rental Heart, published by Salt.
Judges for the 2015 prize include author, journalist and host of Polari literary salon, chair Paul Burston; Rachel Holmes, author and former Head of Literature & Spoken Word at the Southbank; literary critic, Suzi Feay; writer, critic and broadcaster, Bidisha; author and comedian, VG Lee; and writer and editor Alex Hopkins.
Burston said: “This year's long list reflects the richness and diversity of LGBT literary talent. From commercial and literary fiction to short stories, poetry to political polemic, there's something here to suit most tastes. The judges were impressed with the overall quality of submissions this year and face a difficult task deciding on a shortlist."
The shortlist of five books will be announced on 15 September, and will be displayed at selected WH Smiths travel outlets across the UK. The overall winner will then be revealed at the London Literature Festival in October at the Southbank Centre.
The Polari First Book Prize was launched in 2011. Last year’s winner was Somali-British writer Diriye Osman for Fairytales for Lost Children.
polariliterarysalon.co.uk
Glasgow’s Star Folk Club continues to present music through the summer and opens its August programme with twice-winner of the Scots Singer of the Year award, Siobhan Miller (pictured) with bouzouki, guitar and vocal accompaniment from Aaron Jones on August 4. Borders-based band Real Time follow on August 11 with multi-instrumentalists Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar appearing on August 18 and singer and songwriter Duncan McCrone fronting his band on August 25. The club meets every Tuesday at 8pm in the Admiral Bar in Waterloo Street.
starfolkclub.com
Blazin’ Fiddles tour Scotland next month ahead of the release of their forthcoming album, North. The group, which highlights fiddle styles from Orkney, Shetland and the Highlands, plays Speyfest in Fochabers on July 31 before beginning the tour in MacPhail Centre, Ullapool on August 14. They then play concerts in Stornoway (August 15), Strathpeffer (16th), Aberdeen (17th), Portree (18th), Findhorn (19th), Birsay (20th), Kirkwall (21st), Oban (22nd), and Langholm (23rd).
blazinfiddles.com
Orange Claw Hammer, the Edinburgh-based carriers of the late Captain Beefheart’s flame, play a rare Glasgow date at Stretched at Bloc in Bath Street on Thursday, August 27. The quartet, which takes its name from a track on Beefheart’s iconic Trout Mask Replica album, specialises in re-interpreting Beefheart’s music instrumentally without trying to replicate his idiosyncratic vocal style but stays true to the spirit of the original songs. They will be onstage at 10:30pm.
bloc.ru
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