Read Raw Ltd - Promoting Creative Writing in Scotland

Read Raw Ltd

Promoting Creative Writing in Scotland

Read Raw Press

**************************************************************

Tannahill 200

Robert Tannahill, the weaver poet, died on 17th May 1810.

Paisley is justifiably proud of her talented bard and to mark the

200th anniversary of his death a number of events were held in

the Town.

Read Raw Ltd were delighted to assist in the poetry events and

in particular in organising a poetry wall which was on display

in the Paisley Centre.. It featured poems by Robert Tannahill,

chosen by Dr Jim Ferguson, invited contributions, poems from

local schools and works selected from open submission.

This anthology is a permanent record of the best from that wall.

It illustrates that the legacy of Robert Tannahill lives on in the

vibrancy and vision of the writers. Thanks are due to all the

poets who contributed.

*****************************************************

The second issue of "Unspoken water" is on sale now, with a Glasgow-inspired cover, if anyone knows a certain concert venue down by the Clyde.

As well as Denny Marshall's illustrations the contents are:

"Little Dead Girl" by C. M. Saunders
"A Breath of Air" by Rebekah Brown
"Crossing" by Karen Ellery
"Heartless" by Thomas Williams
"Sea Monkeys" by Steve Lockley
"The Crossroads" by Stephen Palmer
"Valkenswaard" by Jan Edwards

See http://www.ian-hunter.co.uk/buy-online for details.

****************************************************

Albino Vampire Tales

Just out from Read Raw Press is Ian Hunter's "Albino Vampire Tales" featuring Roam Belanger, albino vampire, member of "The Sleight of Hand" magick club and last speaker of the True Words. The collection features an albino vampire detective story, an albino vampire fairy story, a tale of the Trickster. and what the albino vampire did on his holidays.

For details on how to purchase a copy, visit: http://www.ian-hunter.co.uk/buy-online

**********************************

Unspoken Water

"Unspoken Water" is out now with stories by Joel Lane, Gary McMahon, Steve Rasnic Tem. Andrew Hook, and Jeffery Scott Sims and poems by Lorraine Schein, Kristine Ong Muslim, F. J. Bergmann, and Marina Lee Sable and last, but not least, illustrations by Denny Marshall and Josh Byer

Copies are Ł4 and can be bought here:
http://www.ian-hunter.co.uk/buy-online

An old Scottish custom, unspoken water was a charm against the Evil Eye and used for healing the sick. It was obtained by collecting running water from under a bridge that the living had crossed and the dead had been carried over. Whatever was used to collect the water should not touch the ground. It was then carried in silence at dawn or at twilight and brought to the house of the sick or bewitched person who was given three sips of "silvered water" from a wooden ladle which had a silver coin placed at the bottom. The rest of the water was sprinkled around the person or poured into a corner stone of the house or behind the fire-flag. If the stone split, then the illness or curse would be fatal, and they could not be cured or saved.

***************************************

Tannahill: The Soldiers Return

Writing about Britain’s war with Napoleonic France, Robert Tannahill commented:

Just like twa cats tied tail to tail,

They worry at it tooth and nail,

They girn, they bite in deadly wrath,

And what is’t for? for nought in faith!

Jim Ferguson’s essay Peace is the Prize explores, among other ideas, the underlying pacifist sentiment contained in Tannahill’s play The Soldier’s Return.

“Robert Tannahill’s The Soldier’s Return is an important work by a significant contemporary of Burns who deserves our attention.

Jim Ferguson has performed a vital service in helping to bring this neglected dramatic text to a wider audience”.

Professor Willy Maley, University of Glasgow