Mae's 'Bloodsongs' shifts between English and North-east Scots in an ode to matters of the blood: queer carnality; black rage; the crude power of myth; how history is felt in the body. Offering retellings of legends and biblical stories as well as perspectives on injustices faced today, this radical debut collection marks the arrival of an exciting new voice in Scottish poetry.
Rachel's vivid and surreal 'Once I Carried Three Crows' presents contemporary myths born from experiences such as the process of ageing, disability, intergenerational relationships, body image and sexuality. Here we find stories of the woman who married the North Sea, of ghosthouses and of birdhouses, of Iris, the first granny in space, and of the worm that eats memories along with ‘half a glass / of iced Chianti’. Following on from 'Wain: LGBT reimaginings of Scottish folktales', their collection aimed at younger readers (Emma Press, 2019), this highly anticipated new collection is Rachel Plummer's first for grown-ups.
About the poets:
Mae Diansangu is a queer poet and spoken word artist from Aberdeen. She has performed at literary festivals across Scotland and appeared on BBC Scotland’s Big Scottish Book Club and BBC Radio 4’s Tongue and Talk. Her series of poems “black lives, heavy truths” is part of the National Library of Scotland’s collection.
Rachel Plummer is a poet living in Edinburgh. They are a Scottish Book Trust New Writer’s Award winner (2016) and have published widely across numerous magazines and journals. Rachel has two children, three guinea pigs, and entirely too many books.
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Many authors have been inspired to pick up their pen to write about the Palace of Holyroodhouse. These sessions will explore these literary works followed by a hearty discussion!
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You are warmly invited to join us at the German Church for our Rhyme Time for Under 5s, once a month during term time!
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Come along and meet British comics artist and writer Bryan Talbot at the Institut français d’Écosse on Saturday 22nd November.
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Join Bruce Peter as he discusses the rapid changes in British Interior Design at Dovecot Studios on 27th November. The event includes entry to IKEA: Magical Patterns.
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Join the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate and bestselling author Malala Yousafzai as she takes audiences through her deeply personal new memoir, Finding My Way.
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The Cookbook Shop is a new, independent culinary bookshop coming to Edinburgh in 2026. Before we open, we'd like to welcome you to our festive pop-up event at Curioso on Leith Walk.
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Join us at the Physicians’ Gallery on Wednesday 25th February for this talk on the banning and censoring of scientific books, especially during the 1500s Catholic Inquisition!
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New York Times bestselling author Matt Dinniman and legendary voice actor Jeff Hays will bring their highly anticipated Dungeon Crawler Carl LIVE TOUR to the EICC on Friday 20th March!
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David Sedaris returns to the Usher Hall on Saturday 4th July to read new and unpublished stories, take questions, sign books and meet his audience!
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