Scots Whay Hae!

The latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast is the second of our collaborations with the Edinburgh International Book Festival. It is the Shaping Scotland's Stories: New Voices podcast, a companion to the live event of the same name. There are interviews with eight representatives from a variety of publishers who tell us all about who they are, what they do, the challenges and rewards of working with new literary voices, and the books they are currently excited about. As well as those core conversations we also talk to the Executive Director of the Edinburgh Book Festival Sophie Moxon, and Vikki Reilly from Publishing Scotland. Put together it makes for a fascinating insight into, and overview of, publishing in Scotland today, and has some great advice for writers both old, but mainly new, and we hope you'll be encouraged to investigate all the publishers, their books, and their writers further, which you can do by visiting edbookfest.co.uk & publishingscotland.org, as well as scotswhayhae.com.

The latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast is the first of three collaborations with the Edinburgh International Book Festival for this year's Festival. Ahead of their own event - 'Celebrating Inclusion' (Thu 25 Aug 19:00 - 20:15) - Ali spoke to writers Ever Dundas and Julie Farrell to learn more about the event, and the 'Inklusion Guide', which they have created to help event organisers better understand accessibility for disabled writers, audience members, and others. It's a fascinating and insightful conversation about an area of the "Business of Books" (the name of the series that this event is part of) which is too often overlooked. Ever and Julie offer advice and anecdotes, as well as talking about their own experiences, hopes for the future, what they are looking forward to at this year's book festival, and more.

The latest SWH! podcast is all about PITCH - Scotland's Conference of Hip Hop & Underground Culture - and Ali speaks to organisers Richy Muirhead and Alana Hepburn as well as MC Salum who will be performing on the day. Richy and Alana talk about how PITCH came together, who will be appearing, and give details about just what the full programme offers, and Salum looks forward to the day and what excites him most about what's on. PITCH will be in Glasgow and online on the 27th August. For full details go to pitchscotland.com or search using @pitchscotland on social media. It promises to be an unforgettable day.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to writer D.D. Johnston to talk all about his novel 'Disnaeland', which he describes as "..a really happy story about the end of the world". D.D. talks about the inspirations behind it, how long he's been working on it, the timely nature of its publication, the influences on it, and dystopian fiction more generally. The two also discuss the themes and ideas in 'Disnaeland', as well as the philosophies - both social and moral - which drive it. D.D. also sets out why it was important for him to 'go home' to tell this story. D.D. Johnston has written one of the most unexpected, and ultimately uplifting, novels of the year. It's the end of the world as we know it, and it feels fine.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to musicians Lou Mclean and MIRI about their commissions from, and collaborations with, POWA (Protection Of Women In The Arts) - the singles 'Good Girls' and 'Morality' respectively. The two talk about their lives in music, working with POWA and the support (practical and otherwise) which they offer, the joys of collaboration, the importance of sharing stories, feeling free to write with honesty, and how the most personal lyrics often resonate with other people the most. It's an illuminating and revealing conversation which illustrates the need for organisations such as POWA. 

To find out more about POWA, the work they do, and how you can support them, go to powascotland.com
 Lou Mclean's music - loumcleanmusic.bandcamp.com
 MIRI's music - miriofficial.bandcamp.com 

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali headed through to Edinburgh to visit the legendary Pianodrome, and talk to directors Tim Vincent-Smith & Matthew Wright in their new home of the Old Royal High on Calton Hill. It's a stunning venue which is the perfect space and place for Pianodrome, and Tim and Matt tell us of its history and how it works, the practicalities of building it, the ethos behind what they do, and the importance of connecting, and reconnecting, artists and audiences. They also talk about their 'Summer Resonancy' which is running from the 1st July to 11th September, and which include free lunchtime concerts, drop-in afternoon sessions, workshops, evening shows and a full Edinburgh Fringe Festival programme of events. Matt and Tim discuss the Fringe programme in detail and highlight just some of the strands, events, and people involved. What is made clear is that Pianodrome is not simply a stunning setting and performance space, it is a philosophy which advocates collaboration, diversity, harmony,

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to playwright, fantasy writer, and poet Chris Tait, and playwright, director, and producer Lisa Nicoll, about the audio drama podcast 'A Toon Built Apo Shenanigans', and a whole lot more. The three discuss Chris's life and work as a writer, the central themes of inclusivity and awareness, looking at perceived disability with positivity, the collaborative nature of this project, how it grew to be something far more than was originally envisaged, the importance of education, the ethos and work of In Motion Theatre Company, and what the future may hold. It's a wonderful, warm and passionate conversation which will strike a chord with many. 'A Toon Built Apo Shenanigans' is available as a podcast from wherever you get yours, and it's such a great listen you'll want to return to it again and again.

The latest SWH! podcast is all about the forthcoming Village Storytelling Festival (5 – 10 July), with Ali talking to Creative Producer Emma Collins, as well as participants and performers Raymond Wilson, Daiva Ivanuskaite, and Shona Cowie. Returning for the first time since 2017, The Village Storytelling Festival will explore Connection and Transformation – Storytelling in a Precarious World and Emma gives us an overview of this year's festival, as well as all the relevant details. Raymond, Daiva, and Shona then talk about the shows they are involved in, as well as telling us what they are looking forward to. The festival is part of Scotland’s Year of Stories and the conversation also turns to the importance of telling stories in understanding ourselves and each other, and in building and strengthening connections. It's a genuinely inspirational conversation which not only whets the appetite for the Village Storytelling Festival, but for the future of storytelling itself.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to writer Denzil Meyrick to talk about the publication of 'The Death of Remembrance', the 10th in the DCI Daley series of crime novels, as well as the one-off thriller 'Terms of Restitution', and the very different 'Tales of Kinloch' novellas. Denzil gives us background to DCI Daley and how this series began and has progressed, the importance of the location of 'Kinloch', the development of the central characters over the novels, the importance of family in his work, and discusses the forthcoming adaptation of the series to TV. The two also discuss how lockdown inspired both 'Terms of Restitution' and the 'Tales of Kinloch' books, and Denzil's desire to write something different with each. It's an insightful and enthralling interview with one of Scotland's finest writers across the genres. We hope you agree.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali caught up with award-winning poet, writer, and singer/songwriter Marcas Mac an Tuairneir to talk about his latest collection of poetry 'Polaris' (Leamington Books). We've been hoping to have Marcas as a guest on the podcast for a long time, so it was great to be able to speak to him about his life and work. Marcas talked not only about the themes and ideas behind 'Polaris', but also the multilingual, collaborative, and interrogative nature of the project. The two also discuss Marcus's other writing, the roots of the cryptolect Polari, the pros and cons of translations, his musical career, and where Gaelic culture currently stands in relation to Scottish culture and beyond. It's a fascinating chat with one of the most interesting and thoughtful writers around.

For the latest SWH! podcast, Ali speaks to writer and journalist Nick Holdstock to talk about his latest novel 'Quarantine' (published by Swift Press), which is set ten years after a deadly pandemic has swept the globe, in a world which is still learning to adapt. The two discuss the style and structure of 'Quarantine', writing distinct narrative voices, the initial response to the novel, the importance of offering hope even in the darkest of scenarios, and much more. Nick also talks about his journalism and how that may feed into his fiction (even if it's subliminal), and his debut novel 'The Casualties'. It's a fascinating conversation about one of the most through-provoking and arresting novels of the year, and a writer who you need to know if you don't already.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to writer Angela Jackson about her novel 'The Darlings' (published by Lightning Books). Coming 7 years after Angela's acclaimed debut 'The Emergence of Judy Taylor', 'The Darlings' is a honest and insightful novel about the lasting psychological effects of childhood trauma, and our need for unconditional love. Angela goes into detail about what inspired the book, the importance of creating the central character of 'Mark', her life as a writer, the challenges she has faced, and 'casting' her books.  The two also talk about Angela's upcoming Edinburgh Fringe Show 'Say If It's Not Okay', her love of performing, and what she is planning for the future. Following her recent appearance at Aye Write! it was great to catch up with Angela to dig deeper into 'The Darlings', a book which once read will not be forgotten.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to Scotland's National Chef, and MasterChef: The Professionals winner, Gary Maclean to talk about his fantastic new cookbook 'Scottish Kitchen' (published by Black & White Publishing). The book itself is a hymn to Scottish cookery and produce, and Gary talks about the inspirations behind it, the process involved in writing a cookbook, his determination to champion Scottish ingredients and recipes from all regions, and his hope that it will inspire readers to explore further. The two also talk about Gary's time on MasterChef, the life of a chef, his role as an educator and the importance of teaching cookery at all levels, and so much more. Both Scots Whay Hae!'s Ali and Ian were chefs in former lives, so this was an absolute treat to be able to catch up with one of Scotland's very best, and we hope you enjoy listening to Gary as much as we did talking to him.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali was joined by musician and writer Ruarri Joseph to talk about his novel William the Conqueror, as well as his band of the same name. The two talk about the links between the novel and Ruarri's songs, how the band came about after his solo career, how carefully he considers the thoughts of his younger self, the semi-autobiographical nature of the novel, and how it came to be published. Ruarri also explains the importance of music in how the story unfolds, how he tried to do something different with the form, and intriguingly hints at what is coming next. It's a very different conversation with a very different novelist, and we hope it'll prompt you to not only check out William the Conqueror the novel, but also the band.

For the latest SWH! podcast, Ali caught up with writer, academic, and Alasdair Gray biographer (and old pal of Scots Whay Hae!) Rodge Glass to hear all about the 2nd International Alasdair Gray Conference, which will be on 16th – 17th June 2022. Rodge gives details of the conference, including how to register and get involved, and just what will be going on and where. He also talks about the organisations who are collaborating for this event, explains the Conference titles 'Making Imagined Objects' and 'Across Space & Form', the interdisciplinary and interactive aspects, and the importance of discussing Alasdair Gray's art and writing together. It's a conversation which will appeal to all fans of the great man. For further details as to what's going on, and where, head to scotswhayhae.com.

The latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast is all about Bella Caledonia and the new Anthology of writing from the years 2007 - 2021. To discuss all things Bella, Ali is joined by founder and editor Mike Small as well as contributors, writer Neil Cooper, writer and performer Dougie Strang, and academic Alison Phipps. They talk about the beginnings of Bella Caledonia, the aims and ideas behind it, each person's initial involvement, how time can change the context of the chosen essays, the importance of, and dangers in, having a wide and inclusive brief, and so much more.

For the latest SWH! Podcast Ali spoke to writer Ryan O'Connor about his debut novel The Voids (out now, published by Scribe Publications). Ryan talks about the autobiographical nature of The Voids, why he set it in Glasgow, but also the reasons it could have been set elsewhere, the influences on his work - both literary and other - the fine judgment required in introducing humour to dark tales, the difficulty in deciding what to leave out, and what to leave in, and so much more.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to writer and academic Liam McIlvanney to talk about his latest novel The Heretic, which is a follow up to the award-winning The Quaker. Liam joined us all the way from his home in New Zealand to discuss the challenges in writing a sequel to such a successful book, capturing the attitudes of the mid-seventies and making them relatable to modern readers, the importance of place, the joy of returning to, and developing, well-loved characters, and so much more. He also talks about an excellent literary Easter Egg which will delight fellow crime fiction fanatics. It's always a pleasure to talk books with Liam, and man steeped in Scottish literature and crime fiction, and we hope you'll find plenty to enjoy and investigate further.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to poet, linguist, translator, and musician Anne Pia to discuss her life and work, and her forthcoming book which she is working on at the moment. The two talk about poetry, memoir, translations, food, music, migration, lockdown, and a whole lot more. They also look at the themes which run through all. her work, which include identity, belonging, family, and love. It's a wonderfully warm and engaging conversation with a writer whose work comes from the heart and soul, and it was a pleasure to spend time in Anne's company. We hope you agree.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to translator, poet, (and, in his own words, "recovering academic") Brian Holton to talk about his latest book, 'Hard Roads an Cauld Hairst Winds: Li Bai an Du Fu in Scots', which is available now with Taproot Press. Brian translates modern and classical Chinese poetry, and fiction, and this collection is his translations of poetry by two of the most renowned poets of Ancient China into Scots.  Brian tells us a bit about Li Bai and Du Fu, their importance in Chinese culture, and why he wanted to translate these poems into Scots. The two also discuss how Brian became a translator, the rich history of Scots language, the importance of translations in understanding other people and their cultures, and a whole lot more. It was an absolute pleasure to talk to Brian about this fascinating, and beautiful, book and we hope you enjoy listening in.