How awsome does this sound?  All at Edinburgh’s Roxy Arthouse this Thursday. Be there or be square.

Nick Cave, David Whitehouse and Jed Milroy are this month’s guests, hosted by Salena
Godden.

For the culturally curious and lovers of after-hours good times, Canongate Books are
joining forces with the Edinburgh International Film Festival for a midsummer,
film-spiked installment of their unique literary club night, Irregular. Expect treats for
the ears and eyes with great writers, short films and the best in live music and DJs, all
savoured beneath the fabulous (deconsecrated) arches of one of Edinburgh?s most
breathtaking gothic spaces.

This month we are hugely excited to be joined by the legendary Nick Cave, who will be
reading from the newly published paperback of his bestselling novel The Death of Bunny
Munro, a brilliant, dark and provocative tale of one man?s road to ruin.

David Whitehouse will give a sneak preview of his debut novel Bed, published by Canongate
in 2011, an enchanting tale of two brothers and why one just won?t get out of bed.  The
book tackles mortality, decay, obesity and depression, and yet it is life-affirming,
warm, moving and utterly unforgettable.  David will also be showing his short film The
Archivist (Warp Films), which opened the BBC Electric Proms in 2008 and won accolades at
Berlin and Seattle Film Festivals.

Irregular will be the first to screen an exclusive interview with ?godfather of hip hop?
Gil Scot-Heron from Ridley Scott?s RSA Films.  Canongate recently reissued his novels The
Vulture and The Nigger Factory, and poetry collection Now and Then, alongside his
critically-acclaimed new album I?m New Here, released earlier this year on XL Records.

Taking a break from touring with The Aliens, roving musician Jed Milroy will complete
this stellar line up with sweet melodies and finger-picking acoustic songs summoning wild
places and beautiful people.

The evening will be hosted by Salena Godden, one of the biggest names on the poetry scene
and The General of The Book Club Boutique, Soho’s hippest literary salon.

Ticketing
Ticket at Venue

Prices/Concessions
Tickets £8/£6 on the door.
Advance tickets available from www.roxyarthouse.org.

Further Information
www.roxyarthouse.org

Catch me at the Banshee Labyrinth (formerly Nichol Edwards) next Tuesday night. I’ll be reading something violent/strange/horrific/sweary and/or pornographic. Possibly all of the above. Times to be confirmed. A great night of free entertainment in the wee cinema room through the back.

Stefan Pearson

When it looked like Ken MacLeod’s next book, The Restoration Game, would be published in March rather than in July, Blackwell’s on South Bridge very kindly and cannily offered to host a launch party at (6:30 for) 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday 17 March at the nearby Pleasance Theatre. We’ll have to wait another four months to see the novel, but the event is still on — and you’re invited.

It will now consist of readings followed by discussion with Ken, and Writers’ Bloc personnel Charles Stross and Andrew J. Wilson. Ken’s own reading will be from The Restoration Game, and anyone pre-ordering at the event will get an early copy (signed, if you like). Charlie may well be reading from his novel-in-progress, Rule 34, and Andrew will offer a short story.

This event is ticketed, but all tickets are FREE. Tickets are available from the front desk at Blackwell Bookshop, 53-59 South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1YS. For more information or to reserve tickets, please contact Ann Landmann on 0131 622 8206 or
events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk

The Restoration Game has been briefly and favourably reviewed in The Guardian [www.guardian.co.uk]:

As ever, MacLeod’s grasp of political intrigue is first rate, and in Lucy he’s created a complex heroine forever in doubt as to the true nature of events.

Hope you can make it,

Writers’ Bloc.
—
www.writers-bloc.org.uk

I’m such a doofus! I killed my site the other week and had to get a pal to resurrect it for me. I’m all for things coming back from the dead, especially when it’s my website! Anyway, realise I’ve not posted for an age so expect some rapid updates in the next wee while.

Stefan Pearson