Charlie, Author at Charlie Gracie

Big Lit 2019: beauty, humour & silence

Posted on May 6, 2019Leave a comment

What a few days Big Lit 2019 was! 1st to 5th of May.

Everything I went to was interesting: some things enlightened me, others blew me away. Henry Bell’s autobiography of John McLean is set to lift this hero of Scotland further into folks’ hearts and minds. Karin Fernald‘s depiction of the life of Florence Nightingale was immense. Bernard MacLaverty graced Saturday with a wonderful talk and readings from Midwinter Break. Rosemary Goring spoke with such ease, Alan Taylor was funny and smooth. And (of course) Chrys Salt wove her magic words and positive presence in among the whole thing.

And all the time at Big Lit, volunteers rush to make the readers and other contributors welcome and to guide the listeners and foot-tappers easily from one event to the next. The hospitality of Chrys Salt and her husband Richard McFarlane is open-hearted; the support of key Big Lit people like Hilary Hawker and Ken Smyth is genuine and consistent. Soup, salmon, vegan, gluten-free everythings for the performers – all we needed – all thought-through with ease.

A few highlights then. Of course, the chance to share bits of my novel and some poems with a very good-sized crowd at the Crafty Crow. And not only that: to do so with my new friend David Mark Williams (Odd Sock Exchange & Papaya Fantasia), an excellent poet and short fiction writer and a top man. We will now, he and I, travel the country as The Skinny Guys (maybe The Skinny Bartirts for Glesga; maybe The Slender Fellaes for Dumfries).

Another highlight. Sasha Mitchell and Pete Moser made Friday night explode with songs and poems of Sasha’s father, Adrian Mitchell – joy and punchiness and then more joy.

Another. Reading with fellow Dove Tales writers and Angela Shapiro, sharing moving poems and accounts of the Nazi holocaust. Added to by the presence of Heather Valencia who brought insights and poetry from her bi-lingual translation of Avrom Sutzkever’s work.

And more. Discovering poets Annie Wright and Nicola Jackson and listening to Alan McLure‘s lyrics and voice. Shooting the breeze with John Cavanagh and Brian Johnstone after their poetry and music gig. Bill and Caro Barlow’s wonderful puppetry. Chik J Duncan always. Being part of the launch of Southlight 25.

One thing more. Peter Marinker read ‘Birth Was The Death Of Him’: words spoken and stage directions spoken. This was done with all the poise Beckett intended. He held us all for half an hour, pauses announced, words delivered beautifully, until the final stage direction: 30 seconds silence. What a 30 seconds that was. In the middle of creative activity and energy, a Beckettian silence.

Charlie Gracie at Baillieston Library

Posted on March 17, 2019Leave a comment

Baillieston Library welcomed Charlie Gracie with the excellent poet Finola Scott on 7th March for a launch event for Charlie’s novel, To Live With What You Are.

A crowd of thirty people – writers, library users, members of the local book group, friends and family – helped to make it a very interesting night. After readings from Finola and Charlie, the question and answer session became a broader discussion on the literary process.

Baillieston Library staff, especially Susi Hunter, pulled out all the stops to support Charlie and Finola and all those who attended, to have an enjoyable night.

Isabel Addie took excellent photographs on the night and captured the atmosphere.

It was great reading with Finola Scott. She is a powerful poetic voice, a funny, energising writer who can turn ordinary things into unforgettable lines of poetry. Check out some of her poetry here in The Blue Nib and look out for her pamphlet coming out later this year with Red Squirrel Press.https://www.redsquirrelpress.net

Thanks to everyone who came along and contributed by listening and talking.

Book review: The Scottish Book of the Dead by Gavin Broom

Posted on January 25, 2019Leave a comment

The Scottish Book of the Dead by Gavin Broom

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book takes you into the guts of a fractured family in the aftermath of a death. Old enmities, old pains flow in the novelâ€™s veins. Told from the perspective of four characters, the narrative weaves around the familyâ€™s tense life. It never feels overloaded, and resolution is always just out of reach, implied creatively in Gavin Broomâ€™s direct, often surreal narrative. The story swings wonderfully across continents, time and realities. Dialect and language are well-handled, giving the characters authenticity.
Itâ€™s a funny book too, despite the underlying miseries in the charactersâ€™ lives. That mix is managed well, the humour as punchy as the rest of the drama. Mythological references are there (implied clearly in the title), but again, these are never overplayed.
The Scottish Book of the Dead succeeds in drawing disparate, pained lives together into a very enjoyable read.

View all my reviews

Poverty Safari with Loki, Rana Marathon & Victoria McNulty

Posted on December 26, 2018Leave a comment

Loki, Rana Marathon & Victoria McNulty – what a line up at Saint Luke’s on the 23rd! The Scottish poetic voice is alive and well.

I’d never heard Rana Marathon before. She’s a kick-boxer of a poet, a wordsmith with a sharp smile. She’s rhythmic and funny and straight to the point. Everything she spoke and rapped was worth listening too, and was delivered in a way that tells you she works hard to get the words right.

Victoria McNulty is an important voice in Scottish culture. She makes the links that need making: history, social policy, real lives. Lesley Traynor says Victoria McNulty is fearless – she was certainly fearless in Saint Luke’s and everybody loved it. Her work references politics and poetry and the lives of people in a catchy, energetic way.

Loki hits the stage like a train. There’s really very little to say. Genuine, he is. I always feel challenged and inspired by what he says, even if I’m not sure I agree completely. This is artistic integrity. At one point Darren McGarvey, author of the powerful Poverty Safari, turned away from the audience and revealed the depth of both his pain and his poetry – beautiful that a man has the courage to be so honest.

And when someone uses cunt and metatextual in the same sentence you know you’re in the presence of greatness.

Charlie shortlisted for Bridport and Cambridge short story prizes & appreciation to Donal McLaughlin

Posted on November 11, 2018Leave a comment

I’ve gone back to writing short stories this year and put a couple forward for prizes. I was fortunate enough to be shortlisted for both the Cambridge Prize and the Bridport Prize.Â For the former, the publisher TSS will include the story in their first anthology, due out in early 2019.

One of the things that really helped me was getting a hold of Fires by Raymond Carver. I’d read a few of his pieces over the years, but this collection of is writings, often about writing itself, is really focused. I’d recommend it to anyone wanting to do more, to get better. Big thanks to Donal McLaughlin, the Derry-born writer and translator who gave me the book as a gift.

You should look Donal McLaughlin up. His short story collections, An Allergic Reaction to National Anthems and Beheading the Virgin Mary, contain most excellent examples of the short story form. His translations from German have made him an award-winning writer in two languages: German and Derry English.

Events to launch ‘To Live With What You Are’, the new novel by Charlie Gracie

Posted on September 24, 2018Leave a comment

Getting close folks! I hope to see you at one of the events to launch ‘To Live With What You Are’, the new novel by Charlie Gracie: Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh dates below. We are waiting for confirmation of the Newcastle Upon Tyne date early in the new year, and I’ll be doing other readings over the next few weeks and months.

dates in the diary

20 November, Glasgow. Scottish Writers’ Centre in the Centre for Contemporary Arts. 7pm. This will include readings from the brilliant Shelley Day and her new short story collection ‘What Are You Like’ and the fantastic Colin Will with his new short story collection ‘Wordplay’. All three books are published by Postbox Press.

5 December, Stirling. Central Library. 7pm. ThisÂ event will be shared with Elizabeth Rimmer, who will be reading from her wonderful, recently published poetry collection ‘Haggards’, published by Red Squirrel Press.Â Â Get tickets for this one from Eventbrite.

15 December, Edinburgh. Scottish Poetry Library. 1pm. But Shelley Day will be there alongside Thomas Stewart who will read from his debut poetry pamphlet â€˜Empire of Dirtâ€™, published by Red Squirrel.

Looking forward to seeing you at one of these events so you can hear and buy this first novel by Charlie Gracie. Stay in touch on Charlie Gracie Writer onÂ Facebook and BailliestonBard onÂ Twitter for more news!

Big thanks as ever to Sheila Wakefield, the publisher and owner at Red Squirrel Press and Postbox Press.

Meditation and creative writing

Posted on August 24, 2018Leave a comment

Come along to Sunrise Holistic on Saturday 1st September for an excellent opportunity to tune in to your creativity. Writer Charlie Gracie and holistic therapist Teresa Johnston give you the opportunity to combine meditation and creative writing in the company of like-minded other people. The workshop, Our Inner Emotions and The Written Word, will run from 10.30 am till 4 pm.

Teresa’s background in radiation oncology in Seattle, Manhattan, Glasgow and Edinburgh led to her passion for delivering care as an Energy Medicine Practitioner. Teresa says, ‘As a holistic health carer, I consider health with regards to illness and disease as impacted by factors of environment, nutrition, and exercise. Furthermore, my holistic approach also takes into consideration a personâ€™s stress levels, and helping each person to find balance in life.’

Charlie is a writer of poetry and fiction. His first poetry collection, Good Morning, will be followed up later this year by his debut novel, To Live With What You Are, and early next year with his second poetry collection, Tales from the Dartry Mountains. His work has appeared in a number of anthologies and journals and he is a member of the Board for the Scottish Writers’ Centre.

Teresa and Charlie are experienced in running workshops and supporting people to dig deep into their creative selves.

When, where and how much?

We’re looking forward to seeing you on Saturday 1st September at Sunrise Holistic in Bo’ness. To book a place, call Teresa onÂ (44) 0784 140 8120 or e-mail her at SunriseHolistic@gmail.com

The full-day course, with lunch included, costs Â£55.00. (Let us know of any dietary requirements you have.) Meditation and creative writing are guided and supported by Teresa and Charlie. This is a great chance to energise and express yourself.

Creative writing workshops with Sunrise Holistic

Posted on July 31, 2018Leave a comment

Charlie Gracie is developing an exciting partnership with Teresa Johnston from Sunrise Holistic. Teresa has established a centre for spiritual and emotional balance in Bo’ness over the last few years – now she’s brought a poet in to tip it all up with creative writing workshops!

We had our first venture in April this year and it was a fantastic evening with an excellent group of people. The group brought such a lot of energy and I’m convinced that the space Teresa has created in her centre really adds to the creative energy. We have other creative writing workshops planned for Wednesday 25th August (evening) and Saturday 1st September (all-day with writing and meditation).

Creative writing is important. It’s important for us all that people dig into themselves and lay it out for others to read and feel and think about. It’s also important for us all as individuals to tap into what’s inside us; I know I couldn’t survive without writing.

So, if you’re new to creative writing, need to get your spark back or are looking to link in with other like-minded people, this could be for you. We create a friendly, supportive atmosphere with plenty of encouragement and no pressure. Our aim is to help you learn how you can bring your words to life. We want you to leave feeling refreshed and energised, with your inner emotions more connected to your expressiveness and creativity. Sunrise Holistic is all about improving your health and helping you to re-balance your life – your creative spark is an important part of who you really are.

creative writing workshops: August is a Wicked Month — **August workshop**

creative writing workshops: Creative Writing and meditation — **September workshop**

Get in touch with Teresa at Sunrise Holistic to book your place at either of the creative writing workshops.

It’s easy to book your place: contact Teresa at Sunrise Holistic on FacebookÂ by phone on 07841408120 or by email at SunriseHolistic@gmail.com

Scottish Writers’ Centre at Aye Write!

Posted on March 20, 2018Leave a comment

Charlie Gracie is delighted to be hosting the Scottish Writers’ Centre event at Glasgow’s Aye Write! book festival on Wednesday 21st March at 6pm.

This free Speakeasy event gives members a chance to share their writing with a wider audience and has become much-loved over the last few years.

The Scottish Writers’ Centre is ten years old later this year, so look out on our website for information about submitting for the celebratory anthology being brought out in partnership with the wonderful Red Squirrel Press.

To Live With What You Are: first novel and a whole lot more for 2018

Posted on January 4, 2018Leave a comment

The first novel from Charlie Gracie, To Live With What You Are, will be published later this year by Postbox Press: their first Scottish novel.Â It’s been a fair ould gestation, and I’m very pleased that Sheila Wakefield,Â owner of leading poetry publisher Red Squirrel Press saw both the poetic and Â prose value in the story.

Maura Weightman, one of the leading public artists of our time, and her husband James, are masters of malice, creative and callous: but what is it that makes them tick? You’ll have to wait till November 2018 for the book’s launch.

Before that, on a calmer note, I’m teaming up with the wonderfully creative and centred Teresa Johnston of Sunrise Holistic. We’re running a short series of workshops at West Moss-side entitled Our Inner Emotions & The Written Word. Teresa will lead participants in meditation and I will support people in creative writing. The first will be on 24th March and it will be a very special day.

I’m building on my sequences of Irish poems too this year. Tales from the Dartry Mountains is based around my maternal grandparents’ home in the west of Ireland. Several poems were published in 2016 and 2017 in places such asÂ Gutter and Southlight magazines, as well as Jackdaws being recorded by the excellent Pefkin (AKA Gayle Brogan) on her Murmurations album from Netherlands based Morc Records. Tales from the Shore Road is a Belfast sequence, based around my paternal grandfather’s life there and after he came to Baillieston. These are coming together to be a bigger project than I’d first imagined: one that takes the whole diverse histories and ecologies and up to wee Charlie in Baillieston. Me and the ould yins, that’s it.

Oh, and back to the fiction: after the first novel, number two is finished. I’m looking for a agent for this one, so it is out and running about in the Rejectosphere. Secrets. Maps. Kicking up the leaves. More good news to follow I hope.