The Good Egg Project events and opportunities round-up đŁ April 13-May 17
Get involved in the Lavender Menace archive fundraiser and the STUC's campaign for fair work, plus events & open calls for writers and writing
Hi! Hello, and welcome to The Good Egg Project newsletter!
I would normally put in top links from our last newsletter, but that was for my research project survey, which is now closed! So, letâs dive right into whatâs going on in Scotlandâs writing world!
If youâre an event organiser, host, or community member with something to shout about, please submit your listings with this Google Form and Iâll add them to the newsletter across the month!
Writing news
Save Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive
Lavender Menace, Scotlandâs only queer books archive, is at risk of closing. Lavender Menace shared this on Instagram:
Weâre about to run out of funding, and without urgent support from our community, we may not be able to continue. Itâs now or never.
đ Our initial goal: ÂŁ5,000 This will quite literally buy us time by helping us stay open while we secure long-term funding and build a stronger future.
đ What is Lavender Menace? We are Scotlandâs only queer books archive, born from Edinburghâs lesbian and gay bookshops of the 80s and 90s. Our collection holds 3,500+ queer titles, dating back to 1864.
But weâre more than an archive. Weâre a living, breathing community space â hosting author events, workshops, book clubs, and providing a welcoming third space for LGBTQ+ people to connect.
⨠What people say:
* âWithout doubt, one of the most meaningful and rewarding endeavours that helped me feel a part of a community.â
* â[Their] open door policyâŚmakes them irreplaceable.â
* â...an entire room of queer literature⌠breathtaking.â
đ Why it matters:
By supporting Lavender Menace, you help:
* Preserve queer history and out-of-print literature
* Keep a vital LGBTQ+ community space alive
* Ensure our stories are not lost or forgotten
đ˛ How to help:
* Donate via the Crowdfunder (link in bio)
* Scan the QR code in our posts
* Become a Menace with a monthly donation
* Volunteer your time and donate your skills
Every contribution makes a difference - thank you so much for your support!
Donate to Lavender Menace on Crowdfunder
Scotlandâs Trade Unions Campaign for Fair Work in the Creative Industries
Scotlandâs Trade Union Congress (STUC) is calling on all political parties to put Fair Work in the creative industries at the heart of their election campaigns. Theyâve set up this petition on Megaphone. The petition pages goes into more detail about the campaign, stating:
Following the work carried out by the STUC and Trade Unions within Scotlandâs Culture Sector, the Scottish Government commissioned two Independent reports into Creative Scotland and Fair Work within Scotlandâs cultural and creative industries.
These reports proposed a combined total of 52 recommendations to improve the conditions of the estimated 90,000 workers across Scotland.
None of the 52 recommendations were enacted before the Scottish Parliament session ended for the 2026 elections.We need all political parties to pledge the immediate adaption and implementation of the recommendations as soon as possible following the election period.
Why is this important?
Scotland stands at a crossroads. Our creative industries contribute over ÂŁ5 billion to our economy and are the heartbeat of our national identity, yet the workers behind this success are being pushed to a breaking point. Following the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections, we call on the next Scottish Government to move beyond âslogansâ and immediately implement the 16 recommendations of the Culture Fair Work Taskforce and the findings of the Independent Review of Creative Scotland
The implementation of recommendations from the Independent Review of Creative Scotland (November 2025) and the Culture Fair Work Taskforce Report (December 2025) represent a defining moment for Scotlandâs cultural identity and economic resilience.
The Creative Industries are crucially important to Scotlandâs economy and wellbeing, the reports make clear that Scotlandâs creative industries must change if we are to protect and enhance the lives and livelihoods of the workers within them.
We cannot claim to value âScottish Cultureâ while the people who create it lack sick pay, maternity leave, and financial security. We call on all parties contesting the 2026 election to commit to the full, funded implementation of these reports in the first 100 days of the new Parliament
Sign the petition on Megaphone
Community events
With so much happening, I might have missed something, but if youâve got an event youâd like to include in the newsletter updates, please use this Google Form to submit your listings.
Speakinâ Weird
Monday, April 13, 6.30 pm, Gaelic Lane Cafe, Gaelic Lane, Aberdeen
Join hosts Hannah, Esmond and Aron for a night of Spoken Word goodness. This monthâs headliner is the winner of this yearâs Loud Poets Aberdeen Slam, Fiona Robertson! Entry is ÂŁ5 or ÂŁ3 for concessions, students, and unwaged people. Sign up for the open mic on the night - poetry, prose, comedy, rap, theatre - show Speakinâ Weird what you can do with 5 minutes and a mic!
Get more information on Facebook
Loud Poets Open Mic
Monday, April 13, 7 pm, Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Edinburgh
Join the Loud Poets for some fist-thumping, pint-drinking, side-tickling, award-winning poetry! All styles of poetry are welcome and with a different feature performer every time, this event offers a supportive, creative environment for all. There are limited sign ups on the door, so get down early to put your name in the draw. You can also sign up for future Loud Poets Open Mics with this Google Form.
Learn more on the Scottish Storytelling Centre website
Tarot as your Creative Compass
Wednesday, April 15, 7 pm, Online
Laura Lodahl is a coach, writer, nature lover and tarot enthusiast who has created their first online course combining tarot, coaching, and writing to support creatives of all levels and disciplinesâwhether youâre just starting out or feeling ready to reconnect with your flow. Itâs designed to help you move through blocks, build confidence, and create with more clarity, ease, and intuition. Book quickly as Laura is keeping the group intentionally small so it stays a supportive, personal, and intimate space. Thanks so much to Laura Lodahl for sharing this with us!
Get more information and book tickets on Eventbrite
Poetry at Sweeneyâs
Wednesday, April 15, 7.30 pm, Sweeneyâs on the Park, Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow
Sarah Heitler has taken over hosting Poetry at Sweeney's from Meron. The night will continue as before and starts at 7.30 pm on the third Wednesday of every month. Sarah is welcoming prose and poetry for the 5-minute slots. Beginners and first timers are warmly encouraged.
Follow Poetry at Sweeneyâs on Instagram to stay up to date with future events
Rock the Boat
Thursday, April 16, 7 pm, Wee Red Bar, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh
Push the Boat Outâs open mic is back this week! Join hosts Cathrine Wilson-Garry and Julia Sorensen for an evening of poetry. This month, theyâre featuring poet Wendelin Law. Sign ups for Rock the Boat are still open and you can sign up to the open mic with this Google Form.
Find out more on Instagram
Edinburgh Sparks
Thursday, April 16, 7 pm, The Canonsâ Gait, Canongate, Edinburgh
Edinburgh Sparks is an open mic for genre writers to share their work as flash fiction, short extracts, scripts or non fiction. Sparks welcomes work of all genres and types of prose. This month, theyâre welcoming spacial guest David Goodman, whoâll be reading and sharing his top writing tips. If you want to read contact Edinburgh.Sparks@hotmail.com
Book tickets on Eventbrite
Ariana Reines: A Fierce Feminist Poetry Night
Thursday, April 16, 8 pm, Pianodrome Bruntsfield, Montpelier Park, Edinburgh
Join Lighthouse Books for an Edinburgh launch of one of their most anticipated books of 2026: The Rose by Ariana Reines! The Rose navigates the intersection of power and surrender. Drawing on the history of âromanceâ as the troubadours knew it, and the titular flowerâs ancient allegories for sexuality and mystery, award-winning poet Ariana Reines plunges into feminine archetypes to explore masculine pain.
Tickets are ÂŁ4 and (as always) Lighthouse has limited free spots. Thanks so much to the Lighthouse Books team for sharing this with us!
Book your tickets on the Lighthouse Books website
Poetry at Inn Deep
Monday, April 20, 7.30 pm, Inn Deep Bar, Great Western Road, Glasgow
Host Sam Small is back with Poetry at Inn Deep this month. You can message Sam directly on Instagram to secure a spot.
Follow Poetry at Inn Deep on Instagram to stay up to date with their events
Wild Edinburgh - An evening with Keith Broomfield
Thursday, April 23, 7.30 pm, The Wee Bookshop Dollar, Bridge Street, Dollar
Join The Wee Bookshop team for an evening with local author Keith Broomfield as he introduces his new book Wild Edinburgh. Through stunning photographs Keith will give you a fascinating insight into the hidden wildlife of Edinburgh, the city of his childhood, revealing the remarkable animals that exist beyond our everyday view; an inspiring celebration of urban nature.
Book tickets on Eventbrite
Introduction to Clowning
Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26, 10 am, Summerhall, Edinburgh
Join Ali Stockford and Hame-ishâs Mairi-Claire Traynor for an introduction to clowning. Clowning is a state of playfulness that allows you to experience a child-like, naĂŻve and vulnerable state of being. Paradoxically we grow, learn and are strengthened through reconnecting playfully with what makes us most vulnerable. This approach to clowning is not a technique but a personal journey towards finding oneâs own unique way of being a clown, by listening and being receptive, essential skills for any creative and imaginative expression. It is only when we let go our control over things that we begin to be surprised by the depth of what reveals itself to us.
Book tickets on Nose to Nose
Write Club
Saturday, April 25, 2 pm, Leith Library, Ferry Road, Leith, Edinburgh
Write Club is a monthly multidisciplinary writing group hosted at Leith Library. If you write stories, poems, songs, comics, plays, essays, or anything else, youâll be in good company! Write Club has dates up to August, so youâll be able to get your writing fix over the summer.
Follow Write Club on Instagram to stay up to date with their events
Feminist Lino Printing
Sunday, April 26, 2 pm, Graft, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh
Creativity can be a powerful way of exploring our relationships with our bodies, taking time to think about what and how we want to represent them. Join hosts Eleanor and Jo for an afternoon of creativity and trans-inclusive feminism. Youâll do some grounding and word association exercises to get you thinking, before moving on to lino printing with all tools, materials, and tuition provided. At the end of the workshop there will be time to share any thoughts that have come up during the workshop, maybe about your relationships to your bodies, the workshop process, or anything else.
Book tickets on Eventbrite
The Chicken Coop Writing Group
Tuesday, April 28, 6 pm, Lost in Leith, Commercial Street, Leith, Edinburgh
Come down to Lost in Leith for another egg-cellent Chicken Coop Writing Group. Weâll have prompts to get your creative juices flowing, a book swap to find your next favourite read, and our usual crowd of hilarious and supportive writers.
Book tickets on Eventbrite
Haiku Deathmatch
Wednesday, April 29, 6.30 pm, The Canonsâ Gait, Canongate, Edinburgh
Drafted! is back with another slam, this time, they want you to bring your best Haikus!
Four rounds, best of three
Each time: Freeform, two Haiku
Back to back, then themed,
(Seasons, Hope, Fire,
Sex, Geese, Green, and Aberdeen
Chosen at random)
Final round: write your own
ÂŁ57.50
Is the winnerâs prize
Sign ups are open to perform, put your name in the ring with this Google Form. Thanks to Team Drafted! for sharing this with us!
Get more information on Instagram
Sad Song Club
Wednesday, April 29, 7 pm, Sketchy Beats, Great Junction Street, Leith, Edinburgh
Go celebrate sadness with host and organiser Dan Collins. Sad Song Club welcomes sad songs, poems, stories, and more. Sign ups are open on the door and donations are welcomed to support Sketchy Beats.
Follow Sad Song Club on Instagram to stay up to date
Loud Poets Spoken Word Showcases
Multiple dates starting Thursday April 30, 7 pm, various locations
The Loud Poets are going on their next Showcase tour across Scotland. This month, theyâre welcoming 2022-24 Birmingham Poet Laureate, Jasmine Gardosi, as touring poet. The Showcase weekend kicks off at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Thursday, April 30, and features Jake Wild Hall, Natalie Elizabeth, and Beth Rose. Then theyâre off to Glasgow for a Showcase on Friday, May 1, at Civic House with Len Pennie and RJ Hunter. The weekend wraps up on Saturday, May 2, in Aberdeen at the Lemon Tree with Biff Smith and Jo Gilbert.
Find out more on the I Am Loud website
Loud Poets Masterclass with Jasmine Gardosi
Saturday, May 2, 3 pm, Lemon Tree, West North Street, Aberdeen
Donât miss this exclusive two-hour masterclass with award-winning poet and performer Jasmine Gardosi! Repetition is an underrated and under-used technique in poetry, especially when we want to lift our work beyond the page. This workshop will introduce you to examples of repetition in poetry and equip you to lean into the technique with full commitment and courage. Youâll learn the fundamentals of beatboxing as tools to help you disintegrate words that have power over us, and feel comfortable with deconstructing language. Youâll create pieces that donât just sound compelling in a performance context, but launch the meaning and message of your poems beyond the book, and into the audience.
Book tickets on the Aberdeen Performing Arts website
thi wurd Live Literary Event
Saturday, May 2, 7pm, Glasgow University Union, University Avenue, Glasgow
thi wurd returns with a live event at Glasgow University Union. There will be the usual readings of fiction and poetry, as well as a film screening and live music. Tickets are ÂŁ10 and everyone is welcome.
Book tickets on thi wurdâs website
Howl Prose and Poetry Open Mic
Sunday, May 3, 3 pm, Osteria Baubau, South St. Johnâs Place, Perth
Howlâs first birthday is coming up and hosts Natalie and Paul say the best presents would be your presence. The first half of the event is their usual open mic, and the second half is time for socialising and eating birthday cake. You can message Natalie and Paul on Instagram to sign up for a slot.
Follow Howl on Instagram for more information
Kelvingrove Writers
Monday, May 4, and Monday, May 18, 6 pm, Dram, Woodlands Road, Glasgow
Kelvingrove Writersâ relaxed and creative community of writers are meeting up again in May! Join host and organiser Jess for an evening of getting words on paper and meeting other writers.
Follow Kelvingrove Writers on Instagram to stay up to date with their events
What is⌠Traditional Storytelling?
Thursday, May 7, 6 pm, Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Edinburgh
Storytelling comes in all shapes and sizes, but how do we know what makes it âtraditionalâ or not? Join Orkney storyteller Tom Muir as he brings a fresh Northern sea breeze to this sometimes misty matter at Edinburgh Tradfest 2026. If youâre joining the event in-person, stay on afterwards to hear Tom in action at one of the Storytelling Centreâs regular celebrated Hearth Fire Sessions.
Book tickets on the Scottish Storytelling Centre website
The Graveyard Shift
Thursday, May 7, 7 pm, Athletic Arms, Angle Park Terrace, Edinburgh
Join Stuart Kenny, David Bleiman, and Jay Whittaker for the next instalment of The Graveyard Shift featuring poets Annie Brechin, author of How to Make Love, and Ross McCleary, author of Endorse Me, You Cowards! The evening will also feature music by Grant B. Roberston. There is a limited number of open mic spots, email David, Jay, and Stuart at diggersgraveyardshift@gmail.com to apply for one.
Find out more and support the Graveyard Shift on Ko-Fi
Hearth Fire Sessions
Thursday, May 7, 7.30 pm, Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Edinburgh
Join host Dougie Mackay as he invites a different selection of Scotlandâs finest storytellers, songwriters, musicians, and performing artists to each session, creating an innovative showcase of Scotlandâs contemporary culture. In May, Dougie is welcoming storytellers Riikka Palonen and Tom Muir and musician Danica Boyce for a special Tradfest session.
Book tickets on the Scottish Storytelling Centre website
What is⌠Scots in Traditional Arts?
Saturday, May 9, 1 pm, Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Edinburgh
Throu the Scottish Leids Act last year, Scots (alang wi Gaelic) wis gien lang socht offeicial kennin as ane o Scotlandâs national leids. Lairn mair aboot its cultural kist o riches, fae medieval makars tae Bothy Ballads, wi Scots spikker an sangster Steve Byrne leukin at the Scots leidâs kenspeckle place in oor Tradeitional Airts.
With the passing of the Scottish Languages Act last year, Scots (along with Gaelic) finally got its long-overdue official recognition as one of Scotlandâs national languages. Come and learn more about the cultural kist o riches, from the medieval makars to the Bothy Ballads in this session led by Scots speaker and singer, Steve Byrne, as he takes you through Scotsâ central place in the Traditional Arts in Scotland.
Book tickets on the Scottish Storytelling Centre website
Ekphrastic Poetry Workshop
Wednesday, May 13, 10.30 am, Sir Duncan Rice Library, Bedford Road, Aberdeen
Ekphrastic poetry involves the translation of a visual artwork into vivid, evocative words, whether it be a painting, sculpture, photograph, street art and more! In this creative writing workshop, poet Stewart Sanderson will explore the process behind some of his ekphrastic poetry before participants have a go at writing their own piece inspired by paintings included in the Aberdeen Artworlds exhibition in the Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Book tickets on the WayWORD website
Vernal Thaw: A Novel of Love at a Slant
Wednesday, May 13, 7 pm, Typewronger Books, Haddington Place, Edinburgh
Join Franky Cannon for a free, celebratory book launch at Typewronger Books. Franky is launching their book Vernal Thaw: A Novel of Love at a Slant. If you like dark, strange, sexy literary fiction, then this might be just the book for you. Thanks to community member Franky Cannon for sharing this with us!
Book free tickets on Eventbrite
Nature School for Grownups: Spring Foraging Journey
Friday, May 15, 2pm, Bridgend Farmhouse, Old Dalkeith Road, and Saturday, May 16, 1 pm, Leith Community Croft, Johnâs Place, Edinburgh
Join these playful 2-hour outdoor sessions combining nature play, foraging, and simple bushcraft skills. Learn to identify seasonal plants, take part in fun games, and make something to take home. These sessions will be held with small groups and are beginner-friendly. The sessions are designed as a fun, hands-on way to spend time outdoors. Thanks to Natasha Lowery-Lewis for sharing this with us!
Book tickets on Ticket Tailor
Creative Approaches to Dementia-Inclusive Storytelling
Saturday, May 16, 10.30 am, Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Edinburgh
Sharing stories with people living with dementia is a creative and collaborative practice. Whether you are a care partner, a storyteller or work/volunteer in the third sector or a residential care setting, this workshop will give you the tools to make a story resonate with neurologically diverse audiences and ensure your creative event is dementia inclusive.
Jan Bee Brown is a storyteller with ten years of experience shaping and sharing stories for dementia-inclusive events such as Raven Tales (Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2024/2025). Jan currently manages a Dementia Meeting Centre at the Heart of Newhaven Community where she combines person-centred storytelling with music and crafting to build resilience in times of change.
Presented by the Scottish Storytelling Forum, these participatory sessions are designed to help you improve your skills and share your experiences with fellow storytelling enthusiasts. This carefully curated workshop programme offers you the chance to work with highly-skilled and experienced artists, giving you guidance on improving your practice and discovering your own talent.
Book tickets on the Scottish Storytelling Centre website
Forspoken Open Mic
Saturday, May 16, 6 pm, Aikmanâs Bar, Bell Street, St. Andrews
Hosts Mike Yuill and Gabriela M. Robins are hosting the next Forspoken Open Mic in St. Andrews. This month, theyâre welcoming Gilad Zinman, Emily Briggs, Josh Cake, and Adrija Gosh as their featured performers. You can sign up for an open mic spot with this Google Form. Thanks to Gabriela M. Robins for sharing this with us!
Book pay what you can tickets on Eventbrite
Loud Poets Paisley Slam Heat
Sunday, May 17, 2.30 pm, Paisley Town Hall, Abbey Close, Paisley
The Loud Poets Slam Series returns to Paisley Book Festival! Watch Paisleyâs top poets compete in one of 10 heats taking place across the UK. Expect humour, powerful performances, diverse styles, and plenty of surprises in this high-energy competitive event. The winner will take home ÂŁ200 and qualify for the 2026 Grand Slam Final in Edinburgh, with a ÂŁ3,000 cash prize! Featuring last yearâs Paisley finalist Drew Gill as Sacrificial Poet, this slam heat will be an electric celebration of the very best of spoken word.
Book tickets on the Paisley Book Festival website
Open calls for writers and writing
We, The Poets Paid Audio Feature
We, The Poets need your submissions! They have several commission slots for poems all about growing or change for season three of the podcast. If youâd like to be considered, fill in the Google Form. WTPâs usual listener submissions will be opening again at the end of this month â but this is a separate opportunity to get a paid slot and have your work featured at the front end of an episode.
Theyâre looking for poets to share one piece of work that really comes alive when performed â something with a clear voice that will connect in an audio format. Selected poets will receive ÂŁ50 and have their work featured within the podcast, with a plug for their work alongside it. Submissions are free and open to poets at any stage.
The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, April 29, 11:59 pm (UK time).
Get more information about this opportunity on Instagram
SATURATE: Queer Filmmaking Course by SQIFF
SQIFF is still accepting applications for its new free practical 10-week filmmaking course, covering the entire independent filmmaking process from beginning to end, situating practical learning in technical filmmaking and creative directing skills within wider LGBTQIA+ film history, screenings, and readings. The deadline for applications is Sunday, May 3, at midnight.
Apply with this Google Form
Creative Future Writersâ Award
The Creative Future Writersâ Award Writing competition for Underrepresented Writers is open for entries! Itâs free to enter and 15 winners will receive ÂŁ25,000 worth of prizes. This yearâs theme is âMaterialâ. The competition is open for poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction. The deadline to enter is Tuesday, May 5.
Read the guidelines on the Creative Future websiteâ
Calling all emerging poets â applications are now open for Clydebuilt 19! Facilitated by St Mungoâs Mirrorball, Clydebuilt offers emerging poets the chance to work with an experienced mentor and develop a portfolio of new work. Up to four poets will be selected to take part in the year-long programme (September 2026âSeptember 2027).
To be eligible to apply, you must: live in Scotland, not be enrolled in any writing course or receiving structured writing support as of September 2026, not have published a full-length poetry collection, and be able to travel to Glasgow and the central belt for some in-person meetings and events. The deadline for applications is Thursday, June 25.
Find out more on the Edwin Morgan Trustâs website
Thanks for reading!
As always, thereâs more to add to this newsletter and the best way to stay up to date with everything writing in Scotland is to subscribe to this newsletter.
Thank you so much to everyone who filled in my research project survey! It has been an interesting insight into some of the issues writers are facing at the moment, why people write, and why theyâve chosen to join or not join a union.
As mentioned on the survey page, I wonât be sharing results outside of university, but I definitely have some interesting topics to research for future pieces in the Good Egg newsletter. I have plans, but Iâm in the midst of assessment season at school, before a summer of focusing on my major project (aka writing the first 20,000 words of my novel - ahhh!). Itâs intense, but Iâm looking forward to bringing these plans to fruition later this year.
At the moment, Iâm hanging in there and feel grateful that the Coop was back at the end of March. Being in the room writing with all you Good Eggs really settled my anxieties!
I will see some of you for the next Coop on April 28. Until thenâŚ
Take care of each other,
Naomi
P.s. Do you know someone looking for a creative, supportive, and fun community of writers? Share this newsletter with them and give their writing journey a boost!
