Modern Scottish Collections

Last week saw the launch of number 29 in the long line of New Writing Scotland the annual publication from the Association for Scottish Literary Studies. Under the experienced editorship of Carl McDougall (who has been associated with NWS many times over the years) and Alan Bissett, The flight of the turtle features new work from over 90 writers based in Scotland. This year’s title comes from a poem by Sheena Blackhall – who though very well-known for her work in Scots is here unexpectedly writing in English.

At the Edinburgh launch at Blackwell’s the line-up of readers included some familiar names plus a new poet with his first published work. Prose was represented by David Manderson and Rosa Macpherson and poetry by Fiona Ritchie Walker, Vivien Jones, newcomer Richard Cook, and Valerie Gillies who closed the proceedings.

You can remind yourself of the previous 28 volumes in a distinguished publishing history by checking
the National Library of Scotland catalogue here

After the excitements of last year it is good to see that Robert Burns can still make it to no.3 in the Scot of the Year poll from Scotscare, finishing behind Susan Boyle and the decisive winner Gerard Butler. In fact Butler might just make a good screen Burns, and perhaps he has the Hollywood clout to pull it off. Meanwhile novelist and playwright Alan Bissett who was one of the memorable guests here at the National Library of Scotland last year has written a new version of the Address to the Haggis for Burns Night. Given that Bissett’s last novel was the acclaimed Death of a ladies man, perhaps we could expect a successful Bissett/Butler collaboration on a new version of the Robert Burns story ?

I’ve been doing some research for the Alan Bissett event here on 3 December, when the Falkirk-born novelist is appearing with Doug Johnstone author of the much-liked tale of a band on tour The Ossians. My research has taken the form of reading about sex and drugs in Bisset’s latest work Death of a ladies man – I cant claim it has been very difficult. This is the story of Charlie Bain, thirty, divorcee, English teacher, who takes a lot of drugs, and has a lot of sex with a lot of women. With those ingredients it is no wonder it is a provocative read. Bissett delights in playing around with the way the story is told – the text makes patterns on the page, some key scenes switch to a film script format, and there are “extracts” from what is obviously the definitive textbook on being a ladies man. Charlie’s relationships with the many women in his life – including tippling mother, provocative pal, hopeful girlfriend and clever pupil – are believable. I found it very convincing – and funny.Not a book to give your granny for her Christmas perhaps. Alan Bissett and Doug Johnstone are coming to NLS in on 3 December. More information and how to book can be found at our listing of Events.