Scottish Books Events: April 2023
Lots of bookish treats this month, including open mics, queer storytelling, and a magical conversation between Max Porter and Heather Parry
Start things off this April with the only Scottish event for the latest novel from Booker Prize nominee Max Porter (author of Grief is the Thing with Feathers). He’s at Assembly Roxy (6 Apr) in conversation with Heather Parry to chat about his new book Shy, a story about 'guilt, rage, imagination and boyhood'. Other exciting launches include Angie Spoto’s debut, fantasy novel The Grief Nurse (Portobello Bookshop, 13 Apr) and Kate Foster’s historical novel The Maiden, about an Edinburgh woman accused of murder in the 1600s. She’s in Edinburgh (24 Apr) and Broughty Ferry (28 Apr). Rare Birds Book Shop (Edinburgh) is hosting Jennifer Saint – author of bestselling Greek mythology retelling Ariadne – as she discusses her new book Atlanta, the story of a female Argonaut (26 Apr).
There’s something for fiction-lovers in Stirling and Glasgow too. On 14 April, Heather Darwent and Cailean Steed will be discussing their books The Things We Do to Our Friends and Home in Stirling. Cailean Steed will then be in Glasgow just a few days later (Category Is Books, 20 Apr) as Kirsty Logan celebrates her latest release, Now She is Witch.
Those after something a little different should head along to the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 13 April for the next iteration of Queer Folks’ Tales, a bi-monthly storytelling series that showcases queer storytellers. This month’s lineup is a banger – Val McDermid, Janette Ayachi and Tom Harlow. Edinburgh’s also hosting journalist Gary Younge at Portobello Bookshop (18 Apr) as he publishes Dispatches from Diaspora, his new collection of journalism.
Soutar Festival takes place in Perth 28-30 Apr, with the likes of James Robertston, Kevin P. Gilday, Imogen Stirling, Sara Sheridan, Ely Percy and Hannah Lavery all taking part in various events. Poetry fans across the nation are also in for a treat, as Aberdeen sees open mic Speakin’ Weird (12 Apr) featuring Stephen James Smith, and in Dundee, spoken word and music ensemble 2 Stoned Birds are performing in HMV (1 Apr).