Writing in the Margins: Free 8 Week Writing Group

Free 8-week writers group | The Alasdair Gray Archive and Agnes Owens Archive, Glasgow

Starting 28 May | Thursdays, 1–3pm

Our new writers’ course, developed by Sorcha Dallas alongside the Writing in the Margins residencies with Heather Parry and Kirstin Innes, is supported by Creative Scotland. Together, we’ll create a welcoming space for emerging writers to explore neglected voices through themes of class, gender, the body, and everyday life.

Both Agnes Owens and Alasdair Gray were profoundly influenced by the formal and informal writing groups and creative communities that nurtured their work. This course continues that spirit by inviting people from Garnethill, Maryhill, Port Dundas, Possilpark, Ruchill, and Hamiltonhill to begin or deepen their own writing practice.

Participants can expect a supportive, collaborative environment with writing prompts, discussion, and opportunities to develop original work — no previous experience required. The programme also includes guest sessions with Heather Parry and Kirstin Innes, and is led by Saskia McCracken, author and facilitator.

📍 In person at AGA and AOA, The Whisky Bond, Glasgow, G4 9SS
🎟 Free to join, 10 spaces available, email info@thealasdairgrayarchive.org to find out more and sign up
👥 For local people from Garnethill, Maryhill, Port Dundas, Possilpark, Ruchill and Hamiltonhill, especially those new to writing

Across 8 weeks, we’ll cover:
Voice & working-class storytelling
Feminism & rewriting narratives
Body horror & transformation
Parenthood & the domestic
Collective storytelling
Turning personal stories into something bigger

Saskia McCracken is an author and facilitator. Her nature writing debut Awful Creatures is out with Bloomsbury Wildlife in 2027. She has facilitated creative writing workshops for community groups, universities, charities, libraries and festivals across Scotland