Events coming up at the Scottish Poetry Library

The Goddam Debut Slam

12 January, 6:30pm (£4) New year, new voices. The Scottish Poetry Library is supporting emerging poets through a monthly event, the Goddamn Debut Slam, which will take place every second Friday: one round, three minutes, new material only. This will be the best place to see work from fresh voices alongside veterans of Edinburgh’s music and spoken word scenes.

Improvisation and Performance for Poets

17 February, 11am (£25) Happy with how your words sit on the page but still frustrated that when you read them on stage, you’re not doing justice to your work? If you’re looking to improve your performance skills, the SPL is holding a workshop that aims to help. “Have your selfcritical instincts ever inhibited you from writing?” the workshop asks. “Have you ever stood on a stage and felt unsure about how to introduce yourself and your work?” The workshop, which takes all day, is built around relaxed group activities, improvisation exercises and is led by improv and poetry facilitators Will

Naameh (UK Improv Champion 2017) and Colin Bramwell.

Edinburgh Villanelle: A Celebration of Muriel Spark with Elaine Feinstein and Alan Taylor

22 February, 7pm (£10/£8)

February marks the centenary of one of Scotland’s finest writers. Although known better as a novelist, Muriel Spark began her writing career as a poet and a critic of poetry. The SPL celebrates her legacy with this conversation between journalist Alan Taylor and poet Elaine Feinstein, in which they will discuss her memoir

Curriculum Vitae. After a short break, the event with resume with Feinstein reading her own poetry.