THE SOCIETY of Authors in Scotland has released the programme for ScotsWrite, a three-day conference in September. ScotsWrite will take place at the Westerwood Hotel, at Cumbernauld, led by writers Joanne Harris, Charlie Higson, Joanna Penn and Jane Johnson. Joanne Harris, author of seventeen novels, including Chocolat, who will open the conference on September 22 with a talk about "empowering writers." Authors running sessions throughout the weekend also include novelist, playwright and graphic novelist Denise Mina, and Kevin MacNeil.
Twenty-two writers and other literary professionals will deliver talks, debates and workshops on all aspects of the writing life – broadly themed around "passion, mission, profession and vocation."
Author, actor and comedian Charlie Higson talk about his varied career while Joanna Penn will discuss how to make a living from writing.
societyofauthors.org/scotswrite
COMEDIAN and broadcaster Hardeep Singh Kohli, pictured, headlines this year’s Nairn Book and Arts Festival, which runs from September 12-17.
The Sunday Herald columnist is part of a line-up which includes novelists Simon Mawer, J David Simons, SG Maclean, and Cynthia Rogerson, STV’s Political Editor Bernard Ponsonby, prizewinning poet Jo Shapcott, Scots singer Siobhan Miller, author Malachy Tallack, pianist Christina Lawrie, playwright and novelist Alan Bisset, and award -winning Edinburgh band The Blueswater.
The Wine and Crime afternoon features Nicola Upson, whose admiration for Highland crime writer Josephine Tey led her to write a crime fiction series with Tey as the heroine detective. She is joined by fellow crime writers Louise Welsh and Lesley Kelly.
Inverness-based Charlie Phillips, Scottish Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2012, will talk about his work, which will be on display at Nairn's Community and Arts Centre, alongside Harris-based artist Beka Globe’s black and white landscape photography. Nairn: One Day – Many Lives, a display of selected photographs taken by local residents on a single day in Nairn, will be curated by Nairn Camera Club.
nairnfestival.co.uk
GLASGOW’S Gaelic Arts development organisation, An Lochran, presents a celebration of women’s Gaelic song as part of Glasgow’s West End Festival at Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church on Thursday, June 22. Binneas nam Ban will feature some of Scotland’s finest singers performing songs by female bards. Internationally acclaimed Margaret Stewart, from Lewis, and the award-winning singer from South Uist, Kathleen MacInnes share the bill with a new group, Sian, which features young singers Eilidh Cormack, Ellen MacDonald and Ceitlin Smith. Clarsach player Ingrid Henderson and guitarist Jenn Butterworth will provide accompaniment to working songs and lullabies, laments and commentaries on issues including war and land struggles. The concert begins at 7:30pm.
westendfestival.co.uk
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