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Community events and open calls for writers & writing, plus prompts for our paying subscribers
Hello! Hi there! How’s it going? Welcome to our new subscribers!
And if you’re new to The Good Egg Project, why not subscribe to stay up to date with what’s going on in your local creative scene?
Paying subscriptions start at £5 a month and give you access to two prompts per month and early-bird tickets for all Good Egg events, plus access to our community Discord server and our 2 monthly writing groups hosted in person.
All subscriptions go towards supporting my work on The Good Egg Project, from hosting our writing groups and buying materials, to gathering events and open calls, and keeping you up to date with the news and current events in the arts and creative industries.
Your support is invaluable and allows me to keep talking to community leaders, event organisers, and creatives working to make our industry better for everyone, whether you’re writing professionally, personally, or somewhere in between.
Speaking of the news, this last week has been a tough one in the Scottish arts and culture sector.
Scottish venues closing due to underfunding
Last week, several venues, museums, and galleries (including the Centre for Contemporary Art in Glasgow, The People’s Story Museum in Edinburgh, and Queensferry Museum in Edinburgh) in Scotland announced temporary closures in desperate bids to cut costs.
This devastating news is a result of the chronic underfunding and broken promises from the Scottish Government, who you may already be aware have gone back and forth on funding for our creative sector this year causing the closure of the Open Fund for Individuals.
While the Individuals Fund is set to reopen next month thanks to the release of funding from ScotGov, arts and creative venues, their staff, and exhibiting artists (from visual arts and theatre, to spoken word and music) aren’t reassured that things will improve. Promises have been broken leaving many disillusioned and uncertain about their chosen creative career paths, and funding is never guaranteed with a less than 30% success rate for those who have applied for funding.
The frustration continues to grow for many arts and cultural venues, event organisers, festivals, and creative workers who have been warning of the cultural catastrophe in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and chronic underfunding during 14 years of Tory austerity.
Cultural workers and arts leaders have been sounding the alarm for too long, with the Scottish Government leaving many behind and hamstringing our funding bodies and cultural institutions through indecision and a complete disconnect between the knowledge of what artists and arts workers contribute to our society and economy and the need to support this vital industry through funding and infrastructure that has been stripped through austerity, local authority budget cuts, and rampant profiteering from businesses who want to turn a profit at the expense of artists and creative workers who make cultural events like Edinburgh Fringe happen.
Without intervention, there will be many more casualties and our industry will become more insecure and bleak. The impact of this underfunding and under-resourcing will see arts access decimated across Scotland, leaving communities cut off from creative outlets and depriving them of the rich cultural life they deserve.
Not only do arts and culture workers need financial and organisational support, but we also need your help to make the case for support to the Scottish government.
Audiences are a vital part of what we do, whether you join local writing groups like ours, sing in a choir, attend your local dance and life drawing classes, enjoy the theatre, read for fun, go to gigs, or listen to the radio in your car, your voice is essential to continuing our deep-rooted and important work to connect with our communities and create positive health and social outcomes for people who don’t always feel like they have a place in an industry that is almost impossible to survive in without the privilege of being rich.
Use your voice to make sure we all have access to art and creativity now and in the future, and protect our cultural heritage for generations to come.
You can help your local venues and creative workers by signing and sharing this new Campaign for the Arts petition to pressure ScotGov to deliver on their funding pledges or donate to venues like CCA and The Filmhouse to keep their work going and keep our creative spaces open.
Community events
This Wednesday, October 2, the world's saddest club for songs is back at Sketchy Beats on Great Junction St in Leith. Join Dan Collins for an evening of weepy songs, dire poetry, the Sad Song Club are there for it all. The art cafe is BYOB and entry is free but donations of £5 are welcomed to help keep the space running for the community. Sign-ups are open on the door and the festivities officially start at 7pm.
Stay up to date with Sad Song Club on Instagram or Facebook
Join celebrated children’s and YA author Philip Caveney (aka Danny Weston) tomorrow, Wednesday, October 2 at McDonald Road Library in Edinburgh as he chats about his books, writing and 5-decade career. He’ll also be talking about his latest book, Postcards from Valhalla.
McDonald Road Library is hosting some other fab events over the rest of the month, including their regular Writing Group which is fortnightly on Mondays from 6 pm, check with them for more dates and details!
Book your space here
Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 2, join local writers at Lighthouse Books for an evening of poetry, readings, solidarity, and fundraising for Palestinian families in Gaza. Head down and gather together with Edinburgh writers, including Megan Booth, Alyson Kissner, Alycia Pirmohamed, Tisya Sanchez, Mohamed Tonsy, and Lorraine Wilson, to rage and grieve in solidarity with the struggle for life and liberation in Palestine.
This event is raising desperately needed funds for families in Gaza, many of whom have been displaced multiple times and are struggling to survive the inflated costs of food, medicine, and shelter. Tickets are by donation with a suggested minimum donation of £20. Given the aim of the event, generosity is encouraged. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to families in Gaza.
You can also donate directly here or get tickets here
New spoken-word night, Flourish is back tomorrow for their next show on Wednesday, October 2 at McChuills Bar in Glasgow from 7.30 pm. They have some open mic slots available, please reach out if you fancy reading or singing a tune.
Find out more and stay up to date here
National Poetry Day: Poems of the Dispossessed
Join internationally acclaimed poet Anton Floyd at the National Library of Scotland on Thursday, October 3 (which just happens to be National Poetry Day) as he shares excerpts from his new collection, ‘Depositions: Poems of the Dispossessed’. The collection of poetry explores themes of exile, love, and loss.
This event marks the publication of a new special illustrated edition translated into the Celtic languages of Britain and Ireland: Gaelic, Irish, Welsh, and Scots. Featuring poet, singer, and translator Marcas Mac an Tuairneir, this event will be conducted in both English and Gaelic, with additional readings in Irish, Welsh, and Scots.
Get a free ticket here
Starting on Thursday, October 3 with Solidarity Screenings Glasgow’s latest film screening.
SSG’s post reads: Revolutionary literature teaches us lessons from the past and present, provides us with theoretical tools and advances our organising. Learning from those who struggled before us, we can pull collective liberation closer!
Solidarity Book Exchange (SBE) is a book exchange project that we will be hosting at the screenings going forward. SBE will work to encourage and facilitate the sharing of all manner of politically progressive and revolutionary texts. As contradictions sharpen, we hope to highlight genuine revolutionary literature.
A selection from the SBE collection will be brought to each screening with a Google form in our bio that will allow you to request any specific book you would like to read. Anyone interested in participating in the exchange will be encouraged to bring along a book of theirs to swap. This will hopefully result in us having a rotating collection of revolutionary texts.
Learn more about Solidarity Screenings Glasgow here and see the Solidarity Book Exchange list here
Poetry and Art: National Poetry Day with John Killick
Looking for something a little different this National Poetry Day on October 3? Head down to Birch Tree Gallery in Edinburgh to view twenty artists’ unique interpretations of John Killick's evocative poem Return of the Native for this exhibition. John will read this and other poems and talk about what inspired them. Several of the participating artists will also share how themes of identity, belonging, and emotional landscapes were evoked by Killick’s words.
This is a free, seated event, but due to the limited number of seats, the venue kindly asks that you book only if you are certain you will attend. If something comes up at the last minute, please cancel your reservation online or notify the gallery to allow someone else to attend.
Register for the event here
Join Maya at Kafe Kweer in Edinburgh this Thursday, October 3 for Queer Life Drawing. QLD is a semi-tutored life drawing class which celebrates the queer body, especially the nude. Each week bears a different theme and host Maya gives tips and advice on how to play into your artistic strengths while learning more about drawing the human body. Materials are provided, and the class is queer- and student-run, and intended for anyone!
The class is committed to inclusivity towards its attendees and models, with measures taken to respect the identity and needs of the people who give their time and skill to help students learn. Classes are adapted to the strengths and requirements of models, working to include people who might feel excluded normally due to issues such as dysphoria.
Book a ticket here
Sunday Assembly: Making of a Makar
This month's Sunday Assembly is a real treat, as they welcome Edinburgh's Makar Hannah Lavery on Sunday, October 6 at Lifecare Edinburgh in Stockbridge. Hannah will talk about her time as Makar, her experiences in the role, about her latest collection Unwritten Woman, and she’ll also be sharing some of her poetry.
Get your Sunday off to an enlivening and enlightening start with this free-to-attend, family and dog-friendly event. Meet some great people, sing along, and help yourself and others to Live Better, Help Often, Wonder More at Sunday Assembly.
Find out more and book a space here
Dundee friends, Hotchpotch is back next week on Wednesday, October 9 at Blend on Dock Street. Doors open at 6.00 pm and readings begin at 6.30 pm. Readers are given a five-minute slot on a first-come basis to read poems and/or stories. There is no pressure to read; many people come along to be part of the audience.
They collect donations on the night to allow us to hire the venue and general admission is £2, or free of charge if you’re unwaged. Take a look at their donations page for more information. Sign-ups are only accepted via email and only from people who attended the previous event.
Stay up to date with Hotchpotch on Facebook and get more information about the night here
Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival
The SMHAF is back from October 10 until October 27. On Thursday, October 10 – World Mental Health Day – the festival will come fully to life, teeming with diverse and imaginative events. Some events are happening BEFORE October 10 with partner events happening across Scotland!
Highlights to look out for over the next two weeks include: Beyond the Canvas, an art exhibition by minority ethnic women where you can discover their stories of mental illness, stigma, hope and resilience. The exhibition is open from October 4 to November 1 in Glasgow. Seeing the Unseen, an exhibition of artworks by students from the North Ayrshire Wellbeing & Recovery College and the recovery stories that inspired them from October 9 to 19 in Irvine. Shed, an exciting new show from Northern Rascals which uses digital art, spoken word and contemporary dance to raise awareness of young people’s mental health issues on October 9 in Melrose. And Out of Sight Out of Mind, Scotland’s largest mental health art exhibition is taking place over three floors Summerhall from October 9-27 here in Edinburgh.
Browse the full programme here
Open Book Creative Writing Sessions
Every month LGBT Health and Wellbeing hosts a wide selection of events including their Open Book Creative Writing Sessions with partners Open Book Reading. Join Lead Reader, Jess Orr to read stories and poems aloud and use them to create your own writing in a gentle, guided session. No experience is required! You just need a willingness to have a go in a safe and affirmative setting.
Get a ticket here
Don’t miss the next showcase from Scotland’s premiere spoken word night, Loud Poets, on Friday, October 11. This month, the I Am Loud team is featuring poetry from Dominic Berry, Hannah Lavery, Natalie Jayne Clark, and Thabo with live music from Jack Hinks and hosted by their own Kevin Mclean.
From the laugh-out-loud funny, through the wonderfully surreal, to the thoughtful and emotional: Loud Poets continues to prove that spoken word offers something for everyone.
Get tickets and more info about the poets here
Meet the Poets: In/Visible with Jj Fadaka
As part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival partners LGBT Health and Wellbeing and Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive are holding their annual Meet the Poets event on October 25 from 7 pm at Duncan Place Community Hub in Edinburgh! This year, the wonderful Jj Fadaka is hosting.
This event celebrates both the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival and Black History Month. You can expect feature performances alongside emerging writers as Jj creates a warm and affirming space for creativity, compassion, and connection.
Register for the event here
The Tattoo Collector by Tim Tim Cheng
Head to Typewronger Books on Monday, October 21 for an evening of poetry to celebrate the launch of Tim Tim Cheng's latest book The Tattoo Collector! Along with Tim Tim, they have readings from Alyson Kissner, Aileen Angsutorn Lees, Patrick Romero McCafferty, Zain Rishi, Raheema Sayed, Medha Singh and Gabrielle Tse.
Find out more here
After a hugely successful September, the Hame-ish Cabaret returns on Tuesday, October 29 in the Snug at Edinburgh’s Assembly Roxy. The cosy space is intimate and creates a space that uniquely connects the audience and performers, as the poetry and music takes you on a creative journey.
If you're feeling brave, Hame-ish is still open for signups for the Hame-ish Live section, to register your interest email Mairi-Claire and Ed at yerhame.ish@gmail.com
Get your free tickets here
Edinburgh Horror Festival 2024
The Edinburgh Horror Festival returns this Hallowe’en season from October 31 to November 3. This year’s programme is filled with horror, ghoulish goodies, stalls, and lots of live performances. Highlights include the return of Paul Case’s haunting and brilliant Rogues So Banished which was at the Fringe this year, My Grandmother Taught Me to Knit, an original horror storytelling show on knitting, grief and perfectionism, Stand Up Horror improvised, macabre tales leading you in a tale across the city facing ghosts, or zombies, or witches, or worse, and a Spooky Zine-Making Workshop with Coin-Operated Press.
Browse the Horror Festival Programme here
Open calls for writing & writers
Submissions for Outcrop Poetry issue 4 close on Wednesday, October 9. There’s no theme for submissions, but try to read their previous issues for an idea of what they’re looking for. Outcrop are accepting no more than 3 poems and 2 reviews up to 500 words each. Their full submission guidelines and submission inbox can be found on their website.
Read the guidelines here
Coin-Operated Press invites your horrorific submissions for the 5th edition of their annual HalloZine! They want to see your sexy vampire fan art, witchy vibes photography, bones sculptures, Halloween decoration how-to guides, poltergeist poetry, monster lover fan-fiction, zombie comics, halloweenie recipes, ghost stories, costume idea collages, pumpkin prints, hammer horror film reviews, a painting of the monster that lives under your bed, witch-hat crochet patterns, feline familiar illustrations, and so much more! If it will fit on the pages of a zine, they want to see it! The deadline is midnight on Sunday, October 13.
Fill in the submission form here
Sunday Mornings at the River is open to submissions for seasonal and nature poems for the 2025 Poetry Diary and they want poems that capture the beauty of each season. Your submissions should focus on the seasons—whether through the lens of nature, personal experiences, or symbolic reflections. They encourage submitting poems that capture the sensory beauty and distinct moods of each season, explore personal or emotional journeys tied to seasonal changes, offer reflections on growth, decay, renewal, and transition, and use the seasons as metaphors for deeper human experiences. There’s no specified deadline.
Read more about the open call and check out their guidelines here
The Kingfisher Magazine is open to submissions around the theme of The Book of Electric Sheep. With this issue, they hope that you as artists, photographers, jewelry makers, writers, textile artists, and more will project your visions of the future, getting innovative with materials and style. They encourage you to question the boundaries of science and progress, deciding whether or not we can ever go too far. There’s no specified deadline, but TKM states that they’ll be in touch with submission updates by the end of October.
More information about the themes and guidelines are available here
Submissions for Issue 02 of the blb (Brick Lane Bookshop’s Indepedent Press) are now open to book reviews, literary essays, and articles. Submissions are capped at 1,500 words and the deadline is Monday, October 14. All blb contributors will be paid, though the rate is not specified on their social media. Please send submissions and any questions to blbpress@bricklanebookshop.org
Stay up to date with blb press here
This week’s writing prompt
Someone very kindly reminded me that writing to open calls is a great way to get your head back in the game if you’re feeling depleted or are feeling creatively blocked.
That’s why this week’s prompt is to write to the Sunday Mornings at the River open call for Seasonal and Nature poetry.
Last year, I was lucky enough to have my poem included in SMATR’s poetry diary. It’s a poem that I love deeply and a poem that I wrote while I was going through therapy. It’s a poem rooted in seasonal change, gratitude for nature, and living with the slow pace of plants growing and the world coming back to life.
Dew (after Xiaolu Guo)
The trees are still naked, but people are starting
to play around, see the grass again, fall into Spring.
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