Scottish Books News: November 2022
November sees the return of Push the Boat Out and the Radical Book Fair, as well as new poetry nights across the Central Belt and Aberdeen
This month, Edinburgh hosts its second annual international poetry festival, Push the Boat Out. A flock of the country’s best will take to the stage in Summerhall from 4-6 November, featuring poets such as Pascale Petite, Will Harris, Hannah Lavery, Alycia Pirmohamed and Nadine Aisha Jassat. The opening night mixes poetry, dance and music from artists including Janette Ayachi and Belle and Sebastian’s Stuart Murdoch. Lighthouse Bookshop’s Radical Book Fair takes place the following weekend at Edinburgh’s Roxy (10-13 Nov). Expect talks on climate change, borders, feminism and activism, and a captivating storytelling performance from Mara Menzies.
A new cabaret evening will see its second month of performances at The Stand Comedy Club in both Edinburgh and Glasgow. Hosted by Glasgow’s Jim Monaghan, Word Up brings together poets, musicians and comedians. On the Glasgow (10 Nov) and Edinburgh (13 Nov) bills are Iona Lee, Michael Mullen, Bruce Morton, Robert Florence, Clarissa Woods, Phil Differ, Rachel Amey and Calum Bird. Up in Aberdeen, long-running spoken word night Speakin’ Weird will see a headline set from Jeda Pearl this month (9 Nov). Leyla Josephine’s debut collection In Public / In Private is published by Burning Eye Books on 16 Nov. To celebrate, the poet and screenwriter is going on tour. She’ll be at Push the Boat Out (6 Nov), in Galashiels (24 Nov), at King Tuts in Glasgow (26 Nov) – with support from Colin Bramwell, Ellen Renton, Empress, Iona Lee, Niki Rush and Kevin P. Gilday – and in Ayr (30 Nov).
Book Week Scotland takes place 14-20 Nov. Workshops, talks and community events are happening across the country, with highlights including a Debut Authors panel with Kenny Boyle, Heather Darwent, Caron McKinlay and Sarah Smith and a night of crime fiction with Denise Mina and Chris Brookmyre.