For the latest podcast Ali caught up with writer and performer Alan Bissett, who was one of our earliest podcast guests back in 2011. That was the year of his last novel Pack Men (the SWH! review of which you can still read here) and the two catch up to talk about his first book of published prose since, the novella Lazy Susan. They discuss the character of Susie ‘Q’ Martin, the return to writing fiction, the novella as a format, the book’s inventive structure, the relationsh

Keira Brown Imogen Stirling The latest podcast is all about the forthcoming Paisley Book Festival, and Ali spoke to co-producer Keira Brown and writer-in-residence Imogen Stirling about this year’s festival, the challenges faced, the necessary move to online, the theme of ‘Radical New Futures’, and a whole lot more. The line-up is fantastic, and there will be a full SWH! preview soon, but a few names to mention include previous SWH! podcast guests Kirstin Innes, Joe Donnelly,

It is widely accepted that the arts and culture have never been as important in people’s lives as they are at the moment. Whether it’s the constant comfort of a favourite album, binge-watching TV series old and new, joining others online to watch pre-recorded festivals or live performances streamed from artists’ homes, or simply losing yourself in books, the need for escape to other worlds and mental spaces has never been as profound. The return of Alan Bissett to writing pro

Today (20/2/20) sees the start of the inaugural Paisley Book Festival, which runs until Saturday 29th Feb. With the theme of ‘Radical Voices and Rebel Stories’, the programme is carefully curated to offer a wide range of events, with something for everyone. Taking place in various venues across town, and riding the cultural wave created by Paisley’s bid for UK City of Culture, this seems the perfect time and place for such a festival – one which looks to celebrate voices and

Alan Bissett sets his novel Pack Men in Manchester on the 14th May 2008 when thousands of Rangers fans descended from Scotland to take over the city which was hosting the UEFA Cup Final. Considering the large part football, particularly the Old Firm and all the sectarian baggage that accompanies them, plays in many Scottish lives it is perhaps surprising that not more writers have dealt with the subject (Des Dillon and Alan Spence are notable exceptions). But then consider th