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NEWS & PUBLISHING SUCCESS
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July 2007
Writers Workshop Series Launches
The first of a monthly series of
Writers
Workshops - open to the public and taking place in Johnstone Town Hall -
is being launched on Thursday July 19 with Ian
Hunter hosting an evening on Writing Fantasy, Science Fiction
and Horror. Each workshop runs from 7pm till 9pm and entry costs £5.
The workshops are open to all. Future writers hosting workshops include
Caro Ramsay, Zoe
Strachan, Valerie Thornton.
Tom Bryan and
Alison Miller. Subjects covered include novels, short stories
and poetry.
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June 2007
First Novel To Be Published
Caro Ramsay's debut crime novel,
Absolution, set in
Glasgow, is being published by Penguin. The Glasgow launch of the book
takes
place in Waterstones on June 28. She is
also featured on the
front cover of The Scotsman
newspaper on Jun 18 with a
double-page feature inside.
June 2007
Jim Carruth rocks at Glastonbury
Johnstone Writers Group poet Jim Carruth
performs on all three days of the famous Glastonbury Festival. He read a
selection
of his poems and signed copies of his two
books High
Auchensale
and Bovine Pastoral
June 2007
Jim Carruth Poem Published in The Herald
Conversing with Angels by Jim Carruth is
published in The
Herald newspaper. The poem is taken from
his latest collection
High Auchensale
May 2007
New Anthology
Launches
My Wife Becomes A Field - a new anthology
from Johnstone
Writers Group (Ludovic Press £6.99) is
launched at
the Paisley Arts Centre on Friday May 18.
April 2007
Poem Quoted at
SNP Conference
a line from Jim Carruth's poem
A Funeral for John of Kirkton is
quoted at the SNP conference during a debate on rural issues.
March 2007
Jim Carruth appears at StAnza
Award-winning poet Jim Carruth
coordinates and runs The 100 Poets
event at the annual StAnza national poetry festival in St
Andrews.
March 2007
School Reading for Ian Hunter
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Our chairman Ian Hunter, author of three
novels for children, is the guest speaker at an event
organised by Bridge of Don Academy. He reads to 60 pupils and
answers questions on
his writing technique.
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February 2006
The Herald
Publishes Poem By Jim Carruth
Lambing Time
by Jim Carruth is published in The Herald
newspaper.
January 2007
Jim Carruth in
Black Mountain Review
Issue 14 of the Northern Ireland magazine
Black Mountain Review features Jim
Carruth's poem Dancing Girls.
December 2006
Ian Hunter in 'Dark Horizon'
Issue 50 of Dark Horizon
magazine will feature Ian Hunter's short
story The Woman
With the Hair and his poem Where The
Dead Go. Issue 51 will feature his poem
That Was My Veil.
December 2006
Poetry Collection Among Year's Best
Jim Carruth's latest poetry collection
High Auchensale is twice
recommended in The Herald's
Books of the Year.
December 2006
Jim Carruth Poem Among Nation's Favourite
Jim Carruth's poem
The Man Who Wanted To Hug Cows is
chosen for the new anthology 100
Favourite Scottish Poems which brings
together work by Robert Burns, High MacDiarmid, Sorley Maclean, Muriel
Spark, Iain Crichton Smith and Sir Walter Scott, among others.
December 2006
Publication Success for Ian Hunter
Ian Hunter's poem
Month's End is selected for the website
www.clydevalley.net.
December 2006
Jim Carruth in The Dark Horse
Issue 19 of The Dark Horse,
the Scottish-American poetry magazine, features
Educating The Farm Boy Part 2 by Jim Carruth.
November 2006
Jim Carruth Launches Second Collection
Award-winning poet Jim Carruth launches
his second poetry
collection, High
Auchensale (Ludovic Press £5.99) in Bridge
of Weir on November 20. His first
collection Bovine Pastoral
(Ludovic Press) was the runner-up in the
Callum Macdonald
Memorial Award in 2005.
November 2006
Jim Carruth Poem
in The Herald
The Well
by Jim Carruth features in The Herald
newspaper.
November 2006
Bestseller Ken McClure Visits
Medical thriller writer Ken McClure,
author of the bestselling international thrillers
Lazarus Strain, Past Lives
and Wildcard, is our guest speaker on
November 16. His novels have been translated into over 20 languages. He
lives in Scotland.
October 2006
Our Members Read In Perth
Two Johnstone Writers Group members
Maureen Blake and
Willie Purcell are invited to read at
an Open Mike event in Perth on October 27.
October 2006
Poem Chosen for
Annual Accolade
The Scottish Poetry Library chooses
The Moleman's Apprentice by Jim Carruth as one of Best Scottish Poems
of 2006.
October 2006
Third Children's
Novel From Ian Hunter
Ian Hunter
has published The Magic Mousehole
(Ludovic Press, £4.99), his third novel for children, following on from
The Dark Knight's Blade
and Lipstick Lass.
September 2006
Poetry Professor Visits Group
Renowned McDiarmid scholar and poet
Professor Alan Riach, head of the
dpeartment of Scottish Literature at Glasgow University, is our guest
speaker on September 14. Professor Riach's poetry publications include
Folding Map (1990) and Clearances
(2001).
August 2006
Jim Carruth
Chosen for Annual Anthology
Issue 24 of New Writing Scotland,
the annual anthology of prose and poetry, features
The Big Mistake by Jim Carruth.
August 2006
Jim Carruth
Performs at Edinburgh Fringe
Jim Carruth reads poetry at the Jazz Bar
in Edinburgh on
August 19th as part of the Edinburgh
Fringe Festival.
May 2006
Guest Writer Katie Grant
Children's novelist Katie Grant, author
of A Blood Red Horse, is
the guest writer for the group.
May 2006
Jim Carruth in
The Dark Horse
Issue 18 of The Dark Horse,
the Scottish-American poetry magazine, features
The Man Who Wanted To Hug Cows by Jim Carruth.
February 2006
Second Children's Novel From Ian Hunter
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Following on from the success of
The Dark Knight's Blade
(Ludovic Press 2005), Ian Hunter has
published another book for children
Lipstick Lass (Ludovic Press, £5.99). He
is pictured with Laura Watson, designer of
the bookjacket, at the launch of the book at North Lanarkshire's Youth
Arts Festival
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January 2006
Jim Carruth In
Annual Poetry Anthology
The White Car, the eighth annual poetry
anthology published by Ragged Raven Press in Stratford-upon-Avon features
The Progressive Canadian Barn Dance by
Jim Carruth.
December 2005
Jim Carruth in
Markings Magazine
Issue 20 of Markings,
the Dumfries & Galloway poetry magazine, features two poems by Jim Carruth
- Tattoo and
God of the Storm.
October 2005
Betty McKellar wins
third place in McCash Prize
Betty McKellar is placed third in the
annual The Herald/ McCash Prize for Poetry. Her winning poem was about
Jessie M King.
October 2005
Merlin invades Dorset
Jack Hastie is invited to read from his
new book Merlin Trails (Ludovic
Press, £3.99) at the model village in Wimbourne in Dorset.
October 2005
Drama Success for Carolyn
Carolyn Wyllie was shortlisted for the
Oran Mor Orange Drama competition in the 14-18-year-old category for her
play Masquerade.
September 2005
Scales From The Fish
Launch
The 20th anniversary anthology from
Johnstone Writers Group, Scales From The Fish, will be launched at Makerston House in Paisley on Thu September 22. Come along for readings
and refreshments. The book costs £6.99 and can be purchased on the night.
September 2005
Jim Carruth Reads At
Borders
Poet Jim Carruth will be reading his
poems from the anthology Queen of Sheep,
the latest book from New Writing Scotland,
at Borders Bookshop in Glasgow on Wed September 14.
August 2005
Crime novelist Alex Gray hosts workshop
Glaswegian crime novelist Alex Gray, whose
third book A Small Weeping, has just
been published, will be hosting a workshop on Thursday August 11 on how to begin
a crime novel.
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August 2005
20th
Anniversary Anthology Planned
The Johnstone Writers Group is celebrating its
20th anniversary with the publication of an anthology of work published by
members in its first two decades. Scales From The Fish
will be published on September 22 by Ludovic
Press, priced £6.99.
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August 2005
Publication Success for Brian Hannan
Three poems by Brian Hannan from the sequence
A Glasgodyssey
have been published in Cutting Teeth
magazine. The poems are -
Xmas, George Square 2003,
Spike Central
and
Dear Green
Donald. These are his first published poems.
The magazine is available in Borders.
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July 2005
Jim Carruth
features in New Writing Scotland
Four poems by Jim Carruth have been published
in the New Writing Scotland
annual anthology The Queen of Sheep.
The title was taken from one of his poems. His other poems featured are
The Moleman's Apprentice,
Island Rhythms and 264.
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June 2005
Sad Loss of Tom Milne
We regret to announce the sudden death of
long-time group member Tom Milne. A science enthusiast, Tom was also a
keen environmentalist and animal lover.
June 2005
Award Success for our Newest Member
Carolyn Wyllie, our newest member, who is
completing her secondary school education, has won third prize in a Rotary
Club competition for her short story Humankind Cannot Bear Much
Reality. To read the entire story, go to
Carolyn Wyllie.
May 2005
Jim
Carruth Runner-Up for Major Award
Jim Carruth's first poetry collection
Bovine
Pastoral
( Ludovic Press, £4.99) has won the
runner-up prize in the Callum Macdonald Memorial Award.
May 2005
Canada Publication Success for Ian Hunter
Ian Hunter has had a short story
published in the Vampire
Hunters anthology published by Rage
Machine Books in Canada. The story features the albino vampire Roam
Bellinger and is titled
United.
April 2005
'Merlin
Trails' Launched
Jack Hastie's first book for children
Merlin Trails
(Ludovic Press, £3.99) recounts the ancient myths of the
wizard Merlin.
March 2005
BookFest A
Sell-Out
Every ticket for the first JKBF - the
Johnstone Kids BookFest
- was sold two weeks before the event took place
on March 4. Guest writers included Keith Gray, Ian Hunter and Katie Grant.
There was also a very successful series of poetry and fiction workshops.
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March 2005
The Launch of
The Dark Knight's
Blade
Ian Hunter's first novel The Dark Knight's Blade, a children's
fantasy set in ancient China, was launched at the JKBF. Priced £5.99, it
is published by Ludovic Press. |
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February 2005
Awards for All Backing for BookFest
The first JKBF - Johnstone Kids BookFest
- has been given a grant from Awards for All.
Kids Book Fest 2005.
January 2005
Sponsors Announced for Kids Bookfest
Arriva, c3imaging, Makerston Spa, The Cookery
School and
Paisley Natural Therapy Centre and David Lloyd
Health & Beauty have been lined up to sponsor the first JKBF -
Johnstone Kids
BookFest
- which takes place in Johnstone Town Hall on March 4. The event is
supported by Renfrewshire Libraries.
Guest writers include Katie Grant (Blood
Red Horse) and
Keith Gray who will be reading from his new
book Fearful.
Kids Book
Fest 2005
January 2005
Rave review for 'Bovine Pastoral'
Michael Russell of The Herald devoted his
entire column on Jan 8 to reviewing
Bovine Pastoral, the new poetry
collection by Jim Carruth. Russell commented: 'Carruth is an unusual
Scottish voice and a very distinctive one. He possesses a direct and clear
poetic voice which is able, without compromising his huge technical
ability, to reach out and engage those who rarely if ever read poetry.'
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December 2004
Johnstone Kids BookFest Announced
The JKBF - Johnstone Kids BookFest - will
take place on
Friday March 4 in Johnstone Town Hall.
Organised by the
Johnstone Writers Group, the event, aimed at
schools,
features top Scottish writers. Go to
Kids Book Fest 2005.
December 2004
Launch for New Poetry Collection
Jim Carruth's first book of poems
Bovine Pastoral
is launched
at the Scottish Poetry Library in Edinburgh.
Published by Ludovic
Press, the book includes the award-winning Herd.
December 2004
Success in Ottakar's Poetry Award
Group member Ian Hunter is runner-up in this
year's Ottakar's
Poetry Competition with
My Happiness
is Past Its Sell-by Date.
November 2004
Scottish Poetry Library Accolade
The poem Herd
by group member Jim Carruth has been
selected by the Scottish Poetry Library as
one of the
Top 20 Scottish Poems of 2004.
October 2004
Guest
Writers for Autumn
Katie Grant, author of children's book
A Blood Red Horse, and
Ajay Close, author of
Official and
Doubtful, are among our
guest writers this autumn.
July 2004
Jack
Hastie Guests at Sammy Dows
Poet Jack Hastie is the Guest Writer at Sammy
Dow's
in Pollokshaws in Glasgow on Monday July 5.
Jack
will be reading a selection of poetry
including works from
his recent publication
Flickering
Images.
June 2004
Johnstone Writers
Group Awarded Grant
The Johnstone Writer's Group has been awarded
a grant of
£4,200 from the Heritage Commission. The
grant has been
awarded to assist the group in the
publication of an anthology
and to bring more professional writers to the
group to help
members. The group is also now an official
charity. We are
Scottish Charity No SC035419.
May 2004
Lochwinnoch Launch
for Poetry Book
New poetry book
Flickering Images by Betty McKellar and
Jack Hastie was officially launched at a
special event in
Lochwinnoch.
April 2004
New Book from
Johnstone Poets
The latest publication from Ludovic Press is Flickering Images featuring
poetry from award-winning Johnstone Writers
Group poets
Betty McKellar
and Jack Hastie.
March 2004
Guest Writer Zoe
Strachan Hosts Workshop
Acclaimed novelist Zoe Strachan hosted a
creative writing workshop on Thursday March 26. She is the author of award-winning first novel
Positive Space. Details in Guest
Writers.
Launch of the Annual
Writers Competition
A new prize for budding writers was launched
by the Johnstone Writers
Group. The best entry will receive a prize of
£100 and be published on
this website. Details on
Annual Writers Competition.
Brian
Hannan Performs in Chicago
Brian Hannan performed six poems at the 'open
mic' section of the Green
Mill Poetry Slam in Chicago. You can read his poems in the
Brian Hannan
section.
Ian
Hunter Hosts Writers Workshop
Ian Hunter
hosted a Fantasy/Horror Writers Workshop at Airdrie
Library on March 10.
February 2004
Guest
Writer Val Thornton Hosts Workshop
Award-winning poet and short story writer Val
Thornton host a creative workshop at the group.
January 2004
Launch of the
Johnstone Writers Group website
Over a dozen local writers are featured in
the Johnstone Writers Group
website. For the technically-minded, the
website was put together with
Microsoft Front Page and cost under £60 to
create.
December 2003
Ian Hunter Selected For
Poetry Wall
Two poems by Johnstone Writers Group chairman
have been selected for
an innovative form of publication. The poems
- Badger Broken and
Fox
Fallen - will feature on the new Poetry Wall in Biggar.
You can read both poems on the
Ian Hunter page.
November 2003
BBC Broadcasts Betty McKellar Poem For
Remembrance Day
BBC Radio is to the broadcast a poem by
Johnstone Writers Group
poet Betty McKellar during its official
Remembrance Day Service which
is being held at Lochwinnoch Parish Church.
Betty will be reading out
her poem Just Oranges
as part of the service. The poem was inspired by
memories of a battalion that was stationed in
the town during the
Second World War.
You can read Just Oranges
on the Betty McKellar page.
September 2003
Magazine Sale Success for
Ian Hunter
Johnstone Writers Group chairman Ian Hunter
has reported the successful
sale of two short stories to UK magazine
Here and Now. The stories,
The
Fox and the
Trickster and
What I Did On My
Holidays, will appear in
Issue 8 of the magazine, to be published next year.
You can read the stories in full on the
Ian
Hunter page.
Carruth Poetry in 'Cutting Teeth'
Two poems by
Jim Carruth -
Harvest Song
and
Absence
- have been
selected for the
latest issue of Glasgow-based magazine
Cutting Teeth.
August 2003
Jim Carruth in Edinburgh
Festival Poetry Triumph
Johnstone Writers Group member Jim Carruth
has come third in a national
poetry competition organised by the Edinburgh
Festival. Fringe. Over
200 entries were received for the Poetry At
The Fringe Competition 2003
which was judged by acclaimed poet Roddy
Lumsden. As one of the winning
poets, Jim was invited to read his winning
poem Wild Poppies at a special
poetry event during the Festival.
You can read Wild Poppies
by clicking onto the Jim Carruth page.
May 2003
Betty McKellar publishes her second poetry
collection Widdershins (Ludovic Press) with illustrations by Gerard Gaubert.
January 2003
Jim Carruth is runner-up in the Ragged Raven
Poetry Competition with Kalashnikov's Mower; he
is also
published in the prestigious American poetry
annual Red Wheelbarrow
and in magazines including Poetry
Scotland, New Writing Scotland, Anon, and
Northwords.
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