Description

We Could Send Letters x Into Books

We Could Send Letters x Into Books present an event in the Strathaven Hotel on Friday 16th Feb that explores the journey from the creative spark to publication of the written word with some of the most talented contemporary writers in Scotland.

The evening begins with two writers with previous experience of publishing in different fields. 

Katy Lironi's musings on her real-life, family challenges and being part of (the start of) a musical dynasty are set to become the basis for her debut memoir. As one early reader described it... 'It?s a positive take on differently abled children and young people, and should be recommended text for obstetricians, midwives, teachers and social workers.'

David Belcher. A journalist with a reputation for ascerbic, absurdist observations on Scottish life (Herald Diary) and a wealth of cultural commentary on music, film and theatre. His writing has appeared in everything from the Sunday Post to Marxism Today; the Glasgow Herald to the Dundee Evening Telegraph; Architects? Journal to the New Musical Express; the Radio Times to the Irish Weekly News.

Both writers are on the cusp of publishing their debut books.

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Musical creativity is presented in the form of The Secret Goldfish, featuring the aforementioned Katy and Douglas MacIntyre. The group was formed by Katy and drummer Paul Turnbull, both of whom were part of the C86 movement (Katy was vocalist with the Fizzbombs and Paul was drummer in Mackenzies). The Secret Goldfish played at the inaugural Creeping Bent event (A Leap Into The Void/BENT 001), a maxi-media performance event that took place on Glasgow?s south side in the Tramway theatre. The group released albums on Creeping Bent and Hamburg?s Marina label, before playing a final concert in London in 1999 as special guests of Vic Godard & Edwyn Collins. The following year Katy and Douglas started a family, resulting in an 18 year hiatus from the Secret Goldfish. 

Katy and Douglas aka The Secret Goldfish will be performing a short acoustic set of songs from the C86 period including covers of songs by Shop Assistants, Fizzbombs, The Jesus & Mary Chain, BMX Bandits. 
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The second half of the literary presentation features three established and extremely talented, published authors. 

David Cameron has written and had published, four books of fiction, three poetry collections and a book reviewing Samual Beckett's middle and later years. David labels himself as a writer but it is fair to say that his principle creative sensibilities are as a poet. He won the prestigious Hennessy Award for Poetry in Ireland in 2014. One particularly popular poem is now cited in the national schools curriculum in Ireland. Into Books was lucky enough to publish one of David's novels, Prendergast's Fall. His work has been described as ?one of the most insightful and thought-provoking poets around? Ron Butlin ? Sunday Herald.

Gillian Shirreffs' debut novel, Brodie, was published by Into Book in September 2023. The book features the unusual premise of an inanimate narrator (a copy of Muriel Spark's The Pride of Miss Jean Brodie) which passes through the hands of six different women over a 30 year period. The story can be read on several different levels but it is not hard to imagine that Gillian's own life experiences can be transposed onto the 'object' at the core of the book. Gillian has Multiple Sclerosis, which has variously meant periods of relative isolation as the world around her continues as usual. Gillian has a Doctorate of Fine Arts and an MLitt degree from the University of Glasgow.

George Paterson is now a veteran of two novels published by Into Books. His debut novel, The Girl, The Crow, The Writer and the Fighter, was shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Crime Debut Novel of the Year 2022. The critical acclaim for his debut novel has been a springboard for his ambitions to be a full-time author. His second novel, Westerwick, published in November 2023, veers, darkly, towards gothic horror. Set on a notional island off the coast of Scotland and in Glasgow's West End, it is also garnering critical acclaim. 

The evening will be hosted by cultural commentator and podcaster (Scots Whay Hae), Alistair Braidwood. 

Into Books is a small but ambitious independent publishing imprint which is already making a big impact in the Scottish book publishing industry. Into Books recently became a member of Publishing Scotland, the network, trade and development body for the book publishing sector in Scotland. This looks to be another big year for Into Books, with 5 new titles in the planning for 2024.

We Could Send Letters has organised music and literature events at Aye Write and Celtic Connections (Glasgow), the Edinburgh Book Festival, Louder Than Words (Manchester) and The Social (London). 

Description

Hamilton Road,

Strathaven,

Lanarkshire,

Scotland,

ML10 6SZ.