Books from Scotland

An online guide to Scotland’s books, her authors, and her publishers. Browse, buy, leave reviews of books, check out news and book launch events.

Creative Scotland

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland. Highlighted is a database of all Creative Scotland’s publications as well as a growing list of external resources for the arts, screen and creative industries.

Dictionaries of the Scots Language

Dictionaries of the Scots Language is Scotland’s independent lexicographical body for the Scots language. They are responsible for the major dictionaries of the Scots language.

Duotrope

Duotrope is a subscription-based service for writers that offers an extensive, searchable database of current fiction, poetry, and non-fiction markets, a calendar of upcoming deadlines, submissions trackers, and useful statistics compiled from the millions of data points gathered on the publishers they list.

National Galleries Scotland

Along with boasting the world’s most comprehensive collection of Scottish art, the National Galleries run an extensive array of projects and educational opportunities for creatives alike.

North East Folklore Archive

An internet resource established by Aberdeenshire Council for the study of the cultural heritage and traditions of North East Scotland. Includes an archive of diverse historical songs,stories or dance alongside resources useful for writers.

Poets’ Directory

Poets’ Directory is a site dedicated to providing information and opportunities for UK and Irish poets. The site covers everything from poetry submissions to published collections, videos, news and much more.

Prize Magic

A list of current UK writing competitions.

Publishing Scotland

A detailed list of book fairs and conferences in Scotland and around.

Scots Education Resources

A leading academic provider of Scots Language training courses and teaching materials.

Scots Language Centre

SLC holds interesting collections of Scots songs, poetry, and keeps a close watch of recent political, educational or social developments surrounding Scots Language. They have guides on how to teach yourself Scots and a plethora of written, audio and video resources.

Scottish Association of Writers (SAW)

The Scottish Association of Writers has been providing excellence in writing since 1969. Their aims are to develop the range of services to Writing Groups, through the development of challenging opportunities, online & paper resources and Events and Conferences.

Scottish Book Trust

A charity inspiring people to read and write. The site is buzzing with blogs, media centres, opportunities and competitions. There are lots of useful resources for writers, including advice and links on becoming published.

Scottish Poetry Library

The Scottish Poetry Library is a unique national resource and advocate for the art of poetry, and Scottish poetry in particular. They are passionately committed to bringing the pleasures and benefits of poetry to as wide an audience as possible. Anyone can use the library, free of charge.

Toulmin Prize

This annual writing competition, established in 2008, commemorates the work of John Reid (1913-1998), one of north-east Scotland’s finest exponents of written Doric. The Toulmin Prize is open to all amateur writers over the age of 16. The short story – up to 4000 words in length – should be concerned with some aspect of life in North-east Scotland and may be written in Scots, including Doric, or English, or a mixture of the two.

Writers’ Cafe

WritersCafe.org is an online writing community where writers can post their work, get reviews, befriend other writers, and much more..

Writing in Scots

This used to be a link to a resource published by Education Scotland but that resource has disappeared. We have replaced it with a link to a resource published by the Scottish Book Trust. Although aimed at school pupils, it provides some useful tips and links.

[If you know of a resource for adult writers learning to write in Scots, please let us know.]

Aberdeen City Council Creative Learning Team

Projects, events and opportunities organised by Aberdeen City Council.

Association for Scottish Literary Studies (ASLS)

Publications, articles, essays, historic accounts of writing in Scotland. A full comprehensive list of academic resources, organisations, publishers, and resources are all featured here. Ebooks, articles and Scholarly essays on a range of subjects related to Scottish literature and language. Writing and guides to Scottish poets and authors are also included.

Elaine Reid Writing – Words For Wellbeing Workshops

These workshops are designed to enable you to explore your creative writing in a way that enhances your sense of well-being. They use the technique of Free Writing (also referred to as Stream of Consciousness Writing) to help you adventure into your thoughts and feelings. Sharing your own story, and witnessing the stories of others, is a key element. In addition to being an opportunity for you to slow down, these workshops encourage you to play and experiment with words and how you use them to communicate with others. Suitable for all, with no previous writing experience necessary.

Elphinstone Institute

The Elphinstone Institute is a centre for the study of Ethnology, Folklore, and Ethnomusicology at the University of Aberdeen.

Elphinstone Kist

The Elphinstone Kist contains a wealth of material in the distinctive Scots of the North-East, affectionately known as ‘the Doric’. This extraordinary Scots language resource includes poetry, fiction, drama, song lyric, reminiscence, and days-in-the-life of all sorts of North-East folk from oil-worker to hairdresser. Contributors range from established authors to school children, and the ‘E-Kist’ is a fully searchable and downloadable resource.

Gray's School of Art

Gray’s School of Art is one of Scotland’s four art schools and is an integral part of Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen.

Moniack Mhor

Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre is in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, just fourteen miles from the city of Inverness. Since thier first course in 1993, Moniack Mhor has been running creative writing courses tutored by some of the finest authors in the UK and beyond.

Scottish Poetry Library

The Scottish Poetry Library is a unique national resource and advocate for the art of poetry, and Scottish poetry in particular. They are passionately committed to bringing the pleasures and benefits of poetry to as wide an audience as possible. Anyone can use the library, free of charge.

The Barn

Gigs, performances, creative learning and projects run in The Barn, Aberdeenshire’s largest multi-arts venue, Banchory. Formerly called ‘Woodend Barn’.

Tom Hammick

Tom Hammick, generously gifted the use of one of his prints for the cover of Issue 14 of Pushing Out the Boat. Winner of the 2016 V&A prize, he is a British artist based in East Sussex. In 2016, he completed an Artist Residency at Peacock Visual Arts, Aberdeen, where he is now printing new woodcuts. As well as being a senior lecturer in Fine Art, Painting and Printmaking at the University of Brighton; Visiting Lecturer Fine Art at University of Ulster, and at NSCAD University, his work can be found amongst many of the world’s leading major collections.

University of Aberdeen English Department

Founded in 1894, the English Department at Aberdeen is a leading centre for the study of literature, language and creative writing.

Causeway-Cabhsair Magazine

A magazine seeking new and established writers to promote Scottish and Irish literature. Produced by the University of Aberdeen.

Dark Horse

The Dark Horse was founded in 1995 by the Scottish poet Gerry Cambridge. It is an international literary magazine committed to British, Irish and American poetry, and is published from Scotland.

Firth

Launched in 2018, Firth is a new print magazine of poetry, based in Dundee, “with the added impetus of an unexpected current”.

Gutter Magazine

Gutter is an award-winning, high quality, printed journal for fiction and poetry from writers born or living in Scotland. They accept submissions under 3,000 words but ‘preference will be given to provocative work that challenges, re-imagines or undermines the individual or collective status quo’.

Lallans: The Journal o Scots Airts an Letters

Published by the Scots Language Society.

New Shetlander

The New Shetlander, reputedly Scotland’s oldest literary magazine, is published quarterly by Voluntary Action Shetland. They welcome contributions of prose and poetry with a Shetland interest:

New Writing Scotland

Publishes works by writers resident in Scotland or Scots by birth. Submissions welcome.

Northwords Now

The Free literary magazine of the North,  Northwords Now is a literary newsprint magazine published in Inverness and also available online in electronic format.

Scots Magazine

Sleek magazine with an abundance of fascinating articles on Modern and Post-Scottish culture. A writing competition for the non-published runs annually.

Scottish Review of Books (SRB)

The Scottish Review of Books is a quarterly literary magazine published in Scotland.

Southlight

Southlight is a literary publication based in the south west of Scotland, partly financed by the Wigtown Book Company to produce at least two editions a year. It gathers material from all across Scotland and welcomes new writing and new writers as well as work by established writers. Its current format was inspired by POTB.

SPAM Press

Founded in 2016, SPAM Press is a poetry magazine, publisher, podcast and literary journal based between Glasgow, London, Leeds and Berlin. Exploring pop culture, poetry and other media alongside radical theory, we are committed to navigating beyond cognitive capitalism through practice, critique and community.

The Interpreter’s House

The Interpreter’s House is a magazine of outstanding poetry. Over 500 writers have appeared in their pages including John Siddique, Ian McMillan, Dan O’ Brien, Alison Brackenbury, Jonathan Edwards, John McCauliffe, Rory Waterman, Mario Petrucci, Penelope Shuttle, Bernard O’ Donaghue and many poets whose work is published for the first time.

Acumen

A literary journal supported by the Arts Council of England. Published three times a year.

Brittle Star

Brittle Star publishes poems and short stories from new and early-career writers.  It is a not-for-profit magazine published twice a year,  produced on a voluntary basis by a small team of dedicated writers and arts professionals.

Granta: The Magazine of New Writing

Granta is a literary quarterly of international renown.

London Magazine

The London Magazine is England’s oldest literary periodical, with a history stretching back to 1732. Today – reinvigorated for a new century – the Magazine’s essence remains unchanged: it is a home for the best writing, and an indispensable feature on the British literary landscape.

Neon

Neon is an independent UK-based literary magazine which publishes a selection of fiction and poetry three times each year. Each edition combines magical realism with horror, slipstream and literary writings, with a particular taste for the surreal and strange.

Poetry London

Poetry London is an arts charity and leading international poetry magazine where acclaimed contemporary poets share pages with exciting new names. Published three times a year in February, May and September, each issue contains new poetry, incisive reviews and features. Poetry London holds an annual poetry competition and launches each issue with readings from distinguished poet contributors to the magazine.

Popshot

Popshot is an illustrated literary magazine that publishes short stories, flash fiction, and poetry from the literary new blood. The magazine is published bi-annually, releasing a new issue every April and October.

Vestal Review

Vestal Review is a magazine dedicated exclusively to flash fiction.

Angus Writers’ Circle

Aims to promote the craft of writing for the pleasure and profit of their members. They hold twice-monthly meetings, offering a varied programme of activities, comprising of visiting speakers, guest judges, club nights and social activities.

Edinburgh Writers Club

Edinburgh Writers Club is a club for people who are passionate about writing, whether published or unpublished. Members enjoy writing in all kinds of genres and forms, from historical fiction, romance, murder mysteries and crime, sci-fi and fantasy, to non-fiction; in novels, novellas, short stories, flash fiction, poetry and articles. Monthly meetings between September and June, alternately in person and on Zoom.

Huntly Writers

Huntly Writers is open to anyone over the age of 18 years who is, or wants to be, actively engaged in creative writing. They are based in the market town of Huntly, Aberdeenshire, where they usually meet on a fortnightly basis.

Lemon Tree Writers

Supporting writers throughout North East Scotland, Lemon Tree Writers meet regularly in Aberdeen to organise readings, workshops and retreats and primarily to discuss new writing.

Mearns Writers

Mearns Writers is a dynamic group of story writers, poets, and novelists predominantly based within The Mearns and its surrounding areas. Welcoming of all skill levels and walks of life, Mearns Writers meet virtually once a week to discuss and share their work.

Nethergate Writers

Dundee’s Creative Writing Group, Nethergate Writers is a group of writers and poets in Dundee who meet to share and discuss our work and provide support and encouragement.

North East Writers

A literature development agency aiming to support, promote and coordinate new writing in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The site includes Writers groups, publishers, writers, a calendar, a festival archive and and a literature show.

Poetry at Books and Beans

Poetry reading group that meets on last Thursday of month in Book and Beans cafe, Aberdeen. Sessions usually feature a guest poet (or two), some regular readers and an open mic session. New poets especially welcome.

Scottish Association of Writers (SAW): Affiliated groups

A list of clubs and groups affiliated to the Scottish Association of Writing (SAW).

Write Words

A thriving writing community on the web. Bragging a healthy mix of writers, they cater for a broad range of writers – novelists, poets, short story writers, flash poetry and fiction – and many more. Receive feedback, join one of the many online writers groups, explore forums or browse others work.

AB Positive:

AB Positive’s aim is to use art/writing to improve health, education and a sense of community. A detailed list of a variety of different events in Aberdeen can be found here.

Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums

Details of heritage, collections and what’s on, under one website. Venues are Cowdry Hall, Aberdeen Art Gallery, Aberdeen Maritime, Provost Skene House and the Tollboth Museum.

Aberdeen City Council

Aberdeen Council’s official site which includes links to visitor attractions, libraries and educational opportunities.

Aberdeen English Literature Society

Aberdeen English Lit Soc is an exciting and versatile society which hosts regular performance nights featuring spoken word, poetry, music, slam, stand up and more and is open to anyone. If you would like to come along to either watch or perform then please like our page and keep an eye out for our (very popular) events! We love contributions from Aberdeen’s creative community and welcome everyone so please get in touch!

Aberdeenshire Council:

Aberdeenshire’s official web page details leisure, culture and tourism opportunities, including an art forum.

Art Galleries in Scotland

A comprehensive list of Scottish art galleries

Deveron Arts

Deveron Arts is a contemporary arts organisation based in the rural market town of Huntly. Includes the Walking Institute, many projects and detailed artist profiles.

Grampian Hospitals Art Trust (GHAT)

GHAT has the aim of enhancing healthcare spaces throughout Grampian by the provision of art and artworks. Offers collections, galleries and educational opportunities such as free art lessons for visitors and patients.

Grassic Gibbon Centre

The Grassic Gibbon Centre, situated in the Mearns countryside, celebrates Scottish author Lewis Grassic Gibbon. Occasional readers groups and annual art exhibitions are held on the premises.

Meffan Museum and Art Gallery

Situated in the Vale of Strathmore, in the heart of the county of Angus, this Museum/Gallery collects objects, photographs and archive material relating to the history of Forfar together with the work of past and contemporary artists. The collection consists of several thousand objects, paintings and drawings gifted or bequeathed to the museum.

Milton Art Gallery

This gallery, based in Crathes, Bancory has built strong relationships with many notable, well established Scottish Contemporary artists. Their aim is to continue to support and promote local artists , both emerging and established, with bi-annual mixed shows.

North East Open Studios (NEOS)

The North East Open Studios (NEOS) is an award winning collective of artists, makers and designers based in the North East of Scotland. It is run on voluntary grounds as a community organisation. They provide an informal contact network for artists and makers alike, to help the public access the wealth of creative talent throughout the North East of Scotland

Peacock Studio

Printmaking workshop in Aberdeen, offering a wide range of artistic techniques, such as relief printing, intaglio, screenprint, lithography, and risograph. They are a non profit charity and are supported by Aberdeen City Council & Creative Scotland.

SMART Consultants

Smart aims to inspire the growth of a creative community by providing platforms and opportunities for emerging and established creative practitioners. This is achieved through a range of art projects, gallery programmes, pop up events and community events. Focus is on contemporary visual art, design and crafts.

The Barn

Gigs, performances, creative learning and projects run in The Barn, Aberdeenshire’s largest multi-arts venue, Banchory. Formerly called ‘Woodend Barn’.

Worm

The worm is a contemporary visual art gallery in Aberdeen. They showcase artworks from all over the world, focusing on printing and publishing. Exhibitions show work by contemporary artists, fine art prints from our archives and objects related to Aberdeen’s rich print history. 

X Monymusk Arts Trust

An old chapel in the heart of the beautiful village of Monymusk. The centre is open in 2016 from May 21st until September 18th. The centre has regularly changing art exhibitions throughout the summer, along with sale of local craft. Open Wednesdays to Sundays, 10am – 4pm

Bloody Scotland

Scotland’s international crime writing festival – competitions included.

Lallans – Scots Language Society (Scots Leid Associe)

Scots Leid Associe haes amang its objects tae forder an uphaud the Scots leid an tae gie a heize tae Scots leiterature an tradeitional music. It wis foondit in 1972 an aye ettles tae pit forrit a feckfu case for the Scots language in formal, informal and ilka day uiss. The Associe furthsets the bi-annual journal Lallans, a 128-page magazine o the best nui screivin in Scots.

Saltire Literary Awards

The Saltire Scottish Book of the Year Award

Scottish PEN

The Scottish branch of PEN International, a not-for-profit organisation that champions freedom of speech and literature across borders.

Alfier, Jeffrey

Jeffrey Alfier’s latest works are Anthem for Pacific Avenue: California Poems, Bleak Music — a photo and poetry collaboration with Larry D. Thomas, Southbound Express to Bay Head: New Jersey Poems and The Red Stag at Carrbridge: Scotland Poems. He is founder and co-editor of Blue Horse Press and San Pedro River Review Featured in POTB 12 & 13.

Alfier, Tobi

Tobi Alfier is a multiple Pushcart nominee. Down Anstruther Way, a collection of Scotland poems, is just out from
FutureCycle Press. She is co-editor of San Pedro River Review. Featured in POTB 12 (as Tobi Cogswell) & POTB 14.

Atkin, Jean

Jean Atkin is a professional poet and writer, based in Shropshire. Her first collection, Not Lost Since Last Time, is published by Oversteps Books. She was Poet in Residence for Wenlock Poetry Festival 2015.  Featured in POTB 10, 13 &14.

Ayers, Lana

Lana Ayers is the author of nine poetry collections and a time-travel novel, lives on the U.S.A.’s Oregon coast where she enjoys the near-constant plunk of rain and the sea’s steady whoosh. Featured in POTB 16.

Baird, Dorothy

Dorothy Baird lives in Edinburgh where she works as psychotherapist and facilitates community writing groups. She has two poetry collections, Mind the Gap (Indigo Dreams) and Leaving the Nest (Two Ravens Press). Featured in POTB 17

Barnby, Gabrielle

Gabrielle Barnby lives and works in Orkney and writes short stories, poetry and full-length fiction. She has run creative writing workshops for many years, encouraging new writers and supporting creative recovery. Featured in POTB 16 & 17.

Bassett, Rosie

Rosie Bassett lives and works in Perth. She is a professional member of Visual Arts Scotland & writes poetry with the Soutar Writers. Combining words with illustration is her focus. Featured in POTB 14.

Beattie, Karen

Karen Beattie is a visual artist practising in North-East Scotland. She graduated with a BFA in painting from Alberta College of Art & Design in Western Canada in 2013. Featured in POTB 14.

Benedyka, Martyna

Martyna Benedyka is a Polish artist and a painting graduate of Gray’s School of Art, Scotland. Her subjects are often everyday things and the visual harmony between them. Featured in POTB 13 & 15.

Bennett, Eleanor Leonne: Art

Eleanor Leonne Bennett is an internationally award winning artist of over fifty awards. She was the CIWEM Young Environmental Photographer of The Year in 2013. Eleanor’s photography has been published in British Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Her work has been displayed around the world consistently for seven years since the age of thirteen. Featured in POTB 11 & 12.

Beveridge, Pat

Pat Beveridge, an ECA graduate based in Fife, creates pictures with textiles and stitch and also paints. Pat draws inspiration from woodland and shorelines and loves to work outdoors. Featured in POTB 17

Beveridge, Robert

November 2018 marked Robert Beveridge’s thirtieth anniversary as a publishing poet. When not writing, he makes noise in Akron, OH. Recent/upcoming appearances in Pink Litter, Triadæ, and Welter, among others. Featured in POTB 15.

Birrell, Stella Hervey

Stella Hervey Birrell is an award-winning poet and writer living in Midlothian. Her work has been commended by the Poetry Archive and her first poetry pamphlet was published in early 2021. Featured in POTB 16.

Biswas, RK

RK Biswas is a poet, novelist and short story writer based in India. Her novel Culling Mynahs and Crows was published by Lifi Publications, India. Her short story collection – Breasts and Other Afflictions of Women – was published by Authorspress, India.  A third book is forthcoming in 2016. Her poetry and short fiction have been published worldwide, and she has performed her poetry in India and abroad. Featured in POTB 9

Blackhall, Sheena

Sheena Blackhall is a poet, novelist, writer, illustrator, traditional story teller and singer. She promotes Scots culture and language in the North East. This links contains over 700 of her poems. Featured in POTB 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13 & 14.

Bolland, John

John Bolland is a writer and artist based in the North-East of Scotland. His short fiction has been published in The London Magazine, The Fish Anthology, Pushing Out the Boat, Pangea, Lallans and Pulp.net. In addition to Pushing Out the Boat, his poetry has appeared in Northwords Now, The Poets Republic, Poetry Scotland, From Glasgow to Saturn and Open Mouse. Featured in POTB 6, 8, 9, 13 & 14.

Brown, Colin

Colin Brown is an award winning Scottish artist with an ongoing 32 year career. He works from his Stonehaven studio on a full-time basis and exhibits his work worldwide. Colin’s artwork was featured on the cover of POTB 1, the very first  issue of Pushing Out the Boat, and, more recently, on the cover of POTB 15.

Brown, Richie

Richie Brown writes poetry and short stories from a secret location in Darkest Aberdeenshire. His pamphlet Travel with my Rants (Blue Salt, 2014) contains 21 puns. Featured in POTB 14 and POTB 15..

Bruton, Douglas

Douglas Bruton won The Neil Gunn Memorial prize in 2015, the William Soutar Prize in 2014 and HISSAC in 2008. Recently he has been published by Aesthetica & Northwords Now. Featured in POTB 11, 12, 13 & 14.

Caffrey, Carol

Carol Caffrey is an Irish writer/actor. She tours the play Music For Dogs by Paula Meehan. Her work has appeared in Poetry Ireland Review, The Ogham Stone and Bare Fiction. Featured in POTB 15.

Callaghan, Kiki

Kiki Callaghan is a young artist from California.  In 2016, while residing in Aberdeen, she was shortlisted in the National Open Art Competition and also included in an exhibition at Jack Tierney Gallery. Her work featured in POTB 14  for which she was awarded  winner of the POTB Young Artist Award 2017. Also featured in POTB 15.

Cassidy, Mark

Mark Cassidy practises radiography in Portsmouth, where he lives with a cat, eight trees and the rest of his family. His poems have appeared in various European magazines and anthologies. Featured in POTB 11 & 16.

Chandler, EE

EE Chandler lives a busy life in North East Scotland. She finds it hard to find time to write but knows she must. Her favourite themes include travel and relationships. Featured in POTB 11 and 16.

Chomova, Katarina

Katarina Chomova, an Aberdeen artist, encompasses the idea of abandonment in her work. By carefully layering string she changes the spaces, deconstructing & reconstructing, using forms & shapes that inspire her. Featured in POTB 14.

Christie, Marian

Marian Christie was born in Zimbabwe and lived in Aberdeen for many years. When not reading or writing poetry she looks at the stars, puzzles over the laws of physics, listens to birdsong and crochets. Featured in POTB 15 and 16.

Clark, Thomas

Thomas Clark is a Glaswegian writer based in the Scottish Borders. Featured in POTB 13.

Clarke, A C

A C Clarke has most recently published collections A Troubling Woman and her prize-winning pamphlet War Baby. Wedding Grief was published 2021 (Tapsalteerie). A pamphlet in Gaelic, Scots and English with Maggie Rabatski and Sheila Templeton is in progress. Featured in POTB 15 & 17.

Coen, Colette

Colette Coen has been published widely (Laldy, Structo, Crannog) and has one novel and three collections on Amazon. She lives in Glasgow where she runs Beech Editorial Services. Featured in POTB 10 and 15.

Conn, Brenda

Brenda Conn writes short stories and poetry, during 2020’s lockdown finding inspiration in the richness of Doric. She is Script Editor and temporary website administrator for Lemon Tree Writers, Aberdeen. Featured in POTB 3 and 16.

Cooper, Claire

Claire Cooper specialises in darkroom photography. She graduated from Grays School of Art in 2015 and is now studying towards her Masters in Medical Art at the University of Dundee. Featured in POTB 14.

Crockatt, Ian

Ian Crockatt is a widely published poet and poetry translator. He lives with ceramic artist and printmaker Wenna Crockatt close to cliffs and sea in North Aberdeenshire.  Featured in POTB 1, 3, 12, 16 & 17.

Crowder, Kim

Kim Crowder’ s poetry and non-fiction pieces have been published in numerous literary journals and essay collections. Her Anthropology Ph.D informs writing focused on memoir, landscape and weather in rural contexts – most recently, the Angus glens. Featured in POTB 17.

Deeney, Lewis

Lewis Deeney’s unique creative process combines interlocking geometric forms with abstract expressionist painting. The result is a compelling interplay of chaos and order, creating transcendent paintings with an iridescent glow. Featured in POTB 17.

Donkin, Morag

Morag Donkin is from Penicuik, Midlothian. She graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2013. Morag was awarded the Fleming-Wyfold Award in 2012 and the Keith Prize from the RSA in 2011. Featured in POTB 16.

Elder, David

David Elder was a career Civil Servant with family links in NE Scotland. Now retired, he spends much of his time on writing and photography. Featured in POTB 5, 14 & 16.

Elsley, Susan

Susan Elsley writes fiction and poetry about connections between people and places. Shortlisted Moniack Mhor 2019 Emerging Writer Award with work published in The Blue Nib, Northwords Now, and The Darg. Featured in POTB 16.

Fordyce, Eleanor

Eleanor Fordyce writes in English and Doric. Her poetry and short fiction has featured in a variety of publications. No longer teaching English, she still gets annoyed with misplaced apostrophe’s. Featured in POTB 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 16.

Forrest, Helen

Helen Forrest paints from the heart. Vibrant colour, simple form and creative use of texture are woven together to give her painting a unique quirky quality. Featured in POTB 13 & 14.

Furrie Murphy, Nicola

Nicola Furrie Murphy is from and lives in Northeast Scotland. Her work has appeared in Poets’ Republic and on BBC Scotland. Along with other Mearns Writers, she is compiling a Doric pamphlet Mair Northren Nummers. Nicola is an artist as well as a poet. Her poetry is featured in POTB 16 & 17 and her art in POTB 17.

Gardner, Bruce

Bruce Gardner is an Aberdonian, ex-English Teacher and semi-retired Minister. He writes in English and Doric.  Featured in POTB 15.

Gibb, Tabitha

Tabitha Gibb is an emerging interdisciplinary artist from Edinburgh. Her contribution to Issue 17 was written while studying Creative Writing at the University of Copenhagen. Featured in POTB 17.

Gillespie, Jean

Jean Gillespie is a visual artist and poet. Working from her studio in Kinghorn, Fife she is inspired by nature and how abstract marks are developed and revealed over time. Featured in POTB 17.

Gollock, Kat

Kat Gollock is an Edinburgh based photographer whose creative work focuses on landscape, walking and self- exploration, often incorporating text to complement and enhance the images. Featured in POTB 16.

Gontard, Lily

Lily Gontard is a writer who lives in Yukon, Canada. Her poetry, fiction and non-fiction have appeared in many publications, including The Puritan Magazine, Door=Jar and the New Quarterly. Her first non-fiction book Beyond Mile Zero (Lost Moose / Harbour Publishing), about the vanishing Alaska Highway lodge community, was launched in April 2017. Featured in POTB 14.

Green, Zoë

Zoë Green grew up in Montrose and now lives in Vienna. Her poetry has been published by The London Magazine, One Hand Clapping, The Interpreter’s House, Atrium and Poetry Salzburg Review. She won the 2023 Candlestick Press ‘kindness’ poetry contest and has just finished her first collection. Featured in POTB 16 & 17.

Greenhause, Jonathan

Jonathan Greenhause’s poetry has appeared in the UK in Acumen, Brittle Star, The Dark Horse, Neon, The Next Review and Popshot, among others. Featured in POTB 13.

Gusavaite, Dovile

Dovile has attended three art schools and it shaped her as a multidisciplinary designer and artist. Dovile is always passionate about human psychology, forgotten places and people. Featured in POTB 15.

Haggith, Mandy

Mandy Haggith is an award-winning poet, novelist and editor. Her most recent poetry collection is A-B-Tree. Featured in POTB 14.

Hanna, Lucy

Lucy Hanna is based in Edinburgh and studied at Gray’s School of Art. Dusting off her tools in 2020, Lucy started creating unique lino prints inspired by her love of nature. Featured in POTB 16.

Haycock, Robert Lee

Robert Lee Haycock grew up in California’s Santa Clara Valley – The Valley of Heart’s Delight, and now resides in Antioch, California – The Gateway to the Delta. Featured in POTB 13 & 14.

Hector, Rosemary

Rosemary Hector, published in magazines including New Writing Scotland and Chapman, is the author of Knowing Grapes (HappenStance Press, 2014), Labyrinth (Handsel Press, 2017), and A Quickening (Muddy Pearl, 2019). Featured in PIB 16.

Henderson, Jennifer

Jennifer Henderson (formerly Watson) was born in Edinburgh, lived in Aberdeen for several decades and now lives in the northwest Scottish Highlands. Artist, writer and photographer, she has had work published in Northwords Now. Featured in POTB 10 & 13.

Horack-Elyafi, Hana

Hana Horack-Elyafi is Palestinian, born in London, and now living in Germany. She has a degree in Social Anthropology and two MAs. Since 1996 she follows a Sufi path which informs her art. She is co-founder of Team Imagineers, an arts charity. Exhibited at the Royal Academy of Art in the Summer Exhibition and ING Discerning Eye. Featured in POTB 10, 11, 15 &17.

Hunter, Irene

Irene Hunter lives in Aberdeen. She is a scientist, jewellery maker and book artist. A lover of poetry, she has recently started writing haiku. Featured in POTB 16.

Hurley, Connie

Connie Hurley (b. 1994) is an artist and curator living between Edinburgh and London, she graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2016 (BA Sculpture). Featured in POTB 17.

Jamieson, Sarah

Sarah Jamieson is a visual artist whose work focuses on the geography of the land, through organic patterns, geometric shapes & the language that maps deploy. Featured in POTB 13.

Johnson, Lorna

Lorna Johnson is a Printmaker based in Edinburgh and her business is Acorn Print Studio. Her work is playful and illustrative and explores the connections she makes when submerged in nature. Featured in POTB 16.

Johnston, Lindsay: Lindsay & Yoshi

Illustrative textiles by Gray’s School of Art graduate Lindsay Johnston. Featured in POTB 11.

Johnstone, Shane

Shane Johnstone is a veteran traditional musician turned scriever. After a long journey through language (Gaelic and English) and music, he has found relative artistic satisfaction in his native Glaswegian Scots. Featured in POTB 15.

Jones, Vivien

Vivien Jones has two poetry collections and two short story collections in print. Her work appears in many other publications in UK and internationally. She also writes drama for theatre and radio which has been performed and broadcast and is one of three editors of Southlight literary magazine. Featured in POTB 7,8,10,11, 12 & 14.

Keeley, Matthew

Matthew spends his time writing, teaching, and cat-sitting in Glasgow. His paranormal coming-of-age novel The Stone in My Pocket was published by The Conrad Press in 2021. Featured in POTB 17.

Kelly, James

James Kelly is a translator by trade & has spent the last ten years going back and fore between Scotland & Chile. Featured in POTB 14.

Kerper, Allie

Allie Kerper lives in Edinburgh and studied most recently at the University of Glasgow. Find her poetry in Gutter (forthcoming), Fly on the Wall, SNACK, Neon and elsewhere. Featured in POTB 16.

Lawrie, Alistair

Alistair Lawrie (from Stonehaven) won the 2016 William Soutar Prize; has published poetry and stories in various magazines/anthologies; coedited Glimmer Of Cold Brine containing his short story The Boxie. Featured in POTB 16.

Leonard, Ingrid

Ingrid Leonard comes from Orkney and is currently studying for a PhD in poetry at the University of Aberdeen. Her work has appeared in New Writing Scotland and Northwords Now. Featured in POTB 16.

Leyland, Danny

Danny Leyland (b. 1994) graduated from Edinburgh College of Art 2016 (BA Painting). He currently lives in Sydney, Australia and has exhibited internationally. Featured in POTB17.

Lingard, Hannah

Hannah Lingard is based in Edinburgh and is currently creating works inspired by her background in Art History, such as the artist John Duncan Fergusson, one of the Scottish Colourists. Featured in POTB 16.

Lowy, Louis K.

Louis K. Lowy is the author of numerous short stories and two novels, Die Laughing (IFWG Publishing), and Pedal (Assent Publishing). His third novel, To Dream (IFWG Publishing), is scheduled for release in mid-2016. Featured in POTB 10.

Mac Lachlainn, Iain

Iain Mac Lachlainn is an author of novels and short fiction. His second novel was shortlisted for WriteNow 2020. Iain lives in Moray with his wife and Ruby the Dog. Featured in POTB 8 & 16.

Macfarlane, Karen

Karen Macfarlane, from Perthshire, is a mid-life Arts & Humanities student. Karen’s poems have appeared in anthologies and magazines including Perthshire 101, The Poets’ Republic, Poetry Scotland, Green Ink and Spelt. Featured in POTB 17.

Macgregor, Lindsay

Lindsay Macgregor lives in Cupar and co-hosts ‘Platform’, a poetry night at Ladybank. Her grand-parents came from Aberdeenshire. She is the very grateful recipient of a 2015 New Writer’s Award. Featured in POTB 13.

MacKinnon, Natalie

Natalie MacKinnon is a writer and playwright from Edinburgh. She writes about small moments with big consequences. Natalie is currently working on her first novel, which is set in Aberdeen. Featured in POTB 16.

Macmillan-Taylor, Sarah

Sarah Macmillan-Taylor lives and works in Cumbria. She graduated with a BA – Arts from Marylhurst University, Portland Oregon. Her paining and prints are available at the Augen Gallery. Featured in POTB 12 & 13.

Mathers, Ursula

Ursula Mathers is an American artist living in Aberdeen and her painting practice explores abstract colour and form in watercolour, oil and pastel. She also researches the creative process and improvisation. Featured in POTB 16.

McClelland, Edith

Edith McClelland takes inspiration from land and sea. Her work has been published, is collected worldwide, and has won numerous awards; she runs classes in- studio and gives art demos upon request. Featured in POTB 16.

McClimens, Al

Al McClimens describes himself as an unemployed chancer who reads a novel a week and writes a poem a day. Featured in POTB 15.

McFarlane, Kathryn

Kathryn McFarlane lives and works in Aberdeen where she creates multi-layered, abstract paintings from her home studio, using colour as a means of self expression. Featured in POTB 17.

Michelson, Joan

Joan Michelson’s publications include: The Family Kitchen, 2018, The Finishing Line Press, USA, Landing Stage, 2017, SPM Publishers, UK, and Toward the Heliopause, 2011, Poetic Matrix Press, USA.  Her writing has been selected for British Council and Arts Council anthologies of New Writing.  Featured in POTB 17.

Miller, Susan

Susan Miller hails from the north-east. A member of Huntly and Mearns Writers’ groups, she writes poetry, short prose and sketches in English and Doric. Featured in POTB 14.

Mooney, Emma

Emma Mooney’s poetry is inspired by her love of walking and swimming in wild open spaces.​ Her poems and short stories have been extensively published in UK and international magazines and she is the author of the novels, A Beautiful Game and Wings to Fly. Featured in POTB 17.

Morlich, Ken

Ken Morlich is a fiction writer who writes short stories and long stories. He deplores almond butter. Featured in POTB 13 & 14.

Morris, Eilidh

Eilidh Morris is a writer, poet and artist based in Dundee. They perform spoken word in the band, 2 Stoned Birds, which blends poetry and rap with acoustic melodies, synth and beats. Most recently, Eilidh’s creative non-fiction essay, ‘The Other Side of the Door’ was overall winner of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival Writing Awards, and can be read on the festival website. Featured in POTB 14.

Morrison, Elaine

Elaine Morrison is a secondary teacher, researcher and writer of creative nonfiction and poetry. Her work has been published in various journals and anthologies. She’s a member of Mearns Writers. Featured in POTB 17.

Muir, Shirley

Shirley Muir is a medieval re-enactor, molecular biologist, tarot reader and writer. She won the 2015 Crediton short story competition and has been published in the UK, USA and Australia. Featured in POTB 15.

Murray, Andy

Andy Murray is a retired psychiatric nurse, whose poetry has appeared in several magazines. His first pamphlet is due out in 2023. He won last year’s Fresh Voice award at the Wigtown Book Festival. Featured in POTB 17.

Murray, Tom

Tom Murray is based in Dumfries. He is a Scottish Poetry Library Poetry Ambassador. His stories and poems published in Scotland and further afield. His plays widely performed. Featured in POTB 17.

Nash, Lynda

Lynda Nash lives in Wales where she works as a creative practitioner. She is the author of Ashes Of A Valleys Childhood and Not As Pointless As You Think. Featured in POTB 14.

Officer, Christopher

Christopher Officer is a writer and musician from Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire. He produces poetry, prose and sombre folk music, some of which can be found on his blog Mince and Skirlie. Featured in POTB 15.

Petrie, Jess

Jess Petrie paints and creates in her Balmedie studio, Aberdeenshire. After years of experimenting with new ideas, she is still trying to find herself but is thoroughly enjoying the journey. Featured in POTB 16.

Pettigrew, David

David Pettigrew is a visual artist born Meikle Wartle, Aberdeenshire. Post-graduate of Gray’s School of Art. Has seventy years experience of image making and painting. Recent work is influenced by travel to Italy, Seoul and Tokyo. Lives in Old Portlethen. Featured in POTB 5, 6, 7 ,8 , 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 15.

Pettigrew, Jane

Jane Pettigrew is an Aberdeen born visual artist and post-graduate of Gray’s School of Art. She has had a lifelong fascination with the urban environment, from Scotland to Europe and, more recently, Asia.  Featured in POTB 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14 & 15.

Regester, Mark

Mark Regester was born in Scotland and raised in California, where got his start making photographs of the local punk rock/skateboarding scene in the late 80’s. He currently lives in St. Louis, Missouri. Featured in POTB 14.

Reid, Elaine

Elaine Reid is a poet and a Words For Wellbeing workshop facilitator. As well as Pushing Out the Boat, her poems have appeared in A Bundle Of Bog Cotton – an anthology of writing from Maggie’s Cancer Care Centres. Featured in POTB 8 and 10.

Reid, Heather F

Heather F Reid writes  poetry and short fiction for adults and children, but not as often as she should. She may one day complete her novel. Featured in POTB 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 & 15.

Renton, Ellen

Ellen Renton is a poet, performer, and theatre maker from Edinburgh. Her work has been featured in Gutter, Magma, and Spoonfeed. Featured in POTB 16.

Rose, Andrew

Andrew Rose is a visual artist who graduated with honours from Duncan of Jordanstone. His work develops narrative and visual structures symbiotically to create unique links and subconscious storytelling. Featured in POTB 16.

Rowley, Kirsty

Kirsty Rowley is a draughtsman, puppet builder and writer of short stories and plays. Previously she has worked at various stadiums and knows all about what happens on Saturday afternoons. Featured in POTB 15.

Rutherford, Donna

Donna Rutherford describes herself as a faraway Scot. Her writing is inspired by the bonds of family, our connection to the landscapes of home, and the push and pull between freedom and belonging. Featured in POTB 15.

Salamon, Zuzanna

Zuzanna Salamon is a Fine Art artist currently based in the United Kingdom. She graduated in Painting from Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen, Scotland in 2020, and she specialises in large-scale charcoal drawing. Featured in POTB 16.

Sanderson, Helena

Helena Sanderson draws inspiration mainly from history and the natural world. She is a poet, scriptwriter and student. She grew up on a Scottish island and currently resides in Cumbria. Featured in POTB 13 & 14.

Scannell, Aine

Aine Scannell uses printmaking to make artworks and artists books. Sometimes she writes poetry as elements of her 2d-artworks. She loves exploring materials and processes. Featured in POTB 15.

Scott, Hamish

Hamish Scott is from Edinburgh and writes poetry and prose in Scots. He has published three collections of his poetry with The Laverock’s Nest Press. Featured in POTB 14.

Shearer, Gillian

Gillian Shearer lives in rural Deeside. In 2021 she won a New Writers Award from the Scottish Book Trust. She is currently (2023) working on a short story collection. Featured in POTB 17.

Sim, Charley

Charley Sim has always been completely driven by a passion for creating bespoke contemporary art, sculpture, and poetry. Creating imagery from his own imagination is what ‘stirs his soul’. Featured in POTB 17.

Simpson, Ruth

Ruth Simpson is an artist whose love for art is inspired by music. She was delighted to be part of Scottish creations by the Scottish Ensemble in 2022. Featured in POTB 17.

Sinclair, James

James Sinclair began writing in his forties. His work is published in a number of anthologies and literary magazines. James is on the editorial committee of The New Shetlander. Featured on POTB 6, 7, 11 & 14.

Smith, Dean

Dean Smith began taking photographs after moving to Montrose with his baby son. They now travel together, photographing cities, countryside and coast.  Also interested in portrait and street photography. Featured in POTB 17.

Smith, Kathryn

Kathryn Smith is a full-time maker, artist, mother and wife. Her photographic inspirations come from her two children and the beautiful places she loves to visit in her travels. Featured in POTB 15.

Smith, Mark Ryan

The poet, Mark Ryan Smith, lives in Shetland. Doesn’t have a web page but does share his activities on Twitter. Featured in POTB 15.

Smith, Morag

Morag Smith lives in Renfrewshire. Her poetry has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Ink, Sweat and Tears, Poetry Ireland Review, Crannog and Gutter. Her first pamphlet Background Noises was published by Red Squirrel Press in November 2022. Featured in POTB 16 & 17.

Steadman, Helen

Helen Steadman is the author of the bestselling historical novel, Widdershins and its sequel, Sunwise. She is currently researching her third novel for her PhD at the University of Aberdeen. Featured in POTB 15.

Stephenson, Michael

Michael Stephenson is a poet from Bathgate, West Lothian. His pamphlet collection, Starsailor, is published by Mariscat Press. Featured in POTB 16.

Stevens, Orla

Orla Stevens is a multidisciplinary artist, looking to connect people to nature: inspired by the importance of creative play, exploration, improvisation and positivity that the artistic process and outdoors share. Featured in POTB 17.

Stevenson, Morag

Morag Stevenson studied Fine Art at Aberdeen College and works from her studio in Findon. Her paintings explore texture, colour, observation, capturing atmosphere and emotion with her passionate energetic application of paint. Featured in POTB 16.

Stobbs, Hilary

Hilary Stobbs is currently working in collaboration to create a mix of Gregorian Chant and poetry. Her work has appeared in Northwords Now and a debut chapbook, Until It Rains. Featured in POTB 13 and 15.

Strachan, Shane

Shane Strachan holds a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Aberdeen. His work has appeared in New Writing Scotland, Gutter, Northwords Now, Freight’s anthology Out There and others. Featured in POTB 13.

Strang, Em

Em Strang is a poet, novelist, mentor, and founder of Scottish charity, Three Streams, writing about nature, spirituality and the masculine. Bird-Woman won the Saltire Poetry Book of the Year 2017. Featured in POTB 17.

Taylor, Judith

Judith Taylor lives in Aberdeen, and co-organises the monthly Poetry at Books and Beans events. She is working on her second collection, due from Red Squirrel Press in 2023. Featured in POTB 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 & 17.

Taylor, Knotbrook

Knotbrook Taylor is an Angus based poet. Winner of the 2014 Erbacce Prize for collection Ping-Pong In The Rain.  Other books include Scottish Lighthouse Poems (2011) and Beatitudes (2007).  Featured in POTB 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 & 15. He has always been a keen photographer and submitted a photo for publication for the first time in 2022 which features in POTB 17.

Telford, Lucy

Lucy Telford is a photographer living in Aberdeenshire, working primarily with antique and alternative processes.  Lucy holds a Visual Artist Award from Creative Scotland and has exhibited throughout the UK and USA. Featured in POTB 11, 13 & 16.

Templeton, Sheila

Sheila Templeton was brought up in Aberdeenshire. She has won the McCash Scots Language Poetry Competition three times and also the Robert McLellan Competition. Her latest collection is Gaitherin, Red Squirrel Press, September 2016. Featured in POTB 15.

Tennant, Rachel

Rachel Tennant is an artist, poet and photographer based in Scotland. Her work is an exploration of landscape, people and place using a collaboration of all mediums. Featured in POTB 16.

Thornfield, Lady

Lady Thornfield is an emerging self-taught artist based in Aberdeen. As an English Literature enthusiast, the literary classics are her main inspiration, creating a kind of illustration she calls LiteratArt. Featured in POTB 14.

Tustin, John

John Tustin’s poetry has appeared in many disparate literary journals since 2009. fritzware.com/johntustinpoetry contains links to his published poetry online. Featured in POTB 17.

Twiddy, Iain

Iain Twiddy studied literature at university and lived for several years in northern Japan. His poetry has appeared in The Poetry Review, Poetry Ireland Review, Stand, and The London Magazine. Featured in POTB  15 and 16

Van Weereld, Jeff

Jeff Van Weereld is a sculpter and artist born in the Netherlads but living and working in Scotland since 1984. Featured in POTB 12.

Verdin, Samuel A.

Samuel A. Verdin is an English-born writer of experimental prose, poetry and script, currently working in Edinburgh on his first novel. Featured in POTB 14.

Vyhnalkova, Dagmar: photography

Fine Art, Travel and Film Stills Photography. Featured in POTB 9.

Walsh, Martin

Kentish Aberdonian Martin Walsh is a retired marine biologist whose encounters with the bizarre and exotic infuse much of his work. Known for his many voices in performance [eg on R4] and on podcasts, his writing has appeared in POTB & Southlight. Featured in POTB 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 & 14.

Watson, Tez

Tez Watson has never lost that wonderment of seeing his first image appear in a shallow dish over forty years ago. He won the Maxwell Prize at the 2016 Nairn Festival. Featured in POTB 10 & 14.

Watt, Richard

Secret Probation: Richard Watt’s personal page. Featured in POTB 11.

Wilford, Louise

Yorkshirewoman Louise Wilford’s work has been widely published. She was nominated for Best Of The Net [2022]. She runs The Twenty-Twenty Writing Club, and is working on a novel. Featured in POTB 12, 13, 14, 16 and 17.

Williams, Noel

Noel Williams wrote Out of Breath (Cinnamon, 2014) and Point Me at the Stars (Indigo Dreams, 2017). He co-edits Antiphon  and is Associate Editor for Orbis. Featured in POTB 15.

Wojtas, Olga

Olga Wojtas has had more than 30 short stories published in literary magazines and anthologies. Her debut novel, Miss Blaine’s Prefect and the Golden Samovar, was published in 2018. Featured in POTB 15.

Woods, Christopher

Christopher Woods lives in an old farmhouse in Texas with his artist wife Linda and their Great Pyrenees, Teddy. Chris writes and takes photographs. Featured in POTB 10 & 15.

Yolande, Ella

Ella Yolande works with video, sculpture and digital media, experimenting with installation and expanded cinema practices. She creates surreal biomes to reimagine relationships with non-human worlds and explore ecological systems. Featured in POTB 16.

Young, Anna

Anna Young is in her 3rd year studying Printed Textile Design at Dundee University. The inspiration for her bold and bright prints often comes from travelling and time in the outdoors. Featured in POTB 17.

Zahra, Moira Scicluna

Moira Scicluna Zahra is a freelance illustrator who presently resides in Edinburgh. She has lectured graphic design in Malta for seven years as well as illustrated several published children’s book. Featured in POTB 14.