No matter the Ayrshire June weather – unbearable heatwave or unseasonable dreich days – our members continue to shine. Especially our talented poets.
Let’s begin with Greta Yorke and Rose Macgregor, both of whom have had their worked published in the Simmer 2026 issue of Lallans, the Scots language magazine.
Greta’s poem Tae a Thristle is a wonderful tribute to Scotland’s iconic national flower. Placed in our recent club poetry competition, it’s grand to know that Greta’s work found it’s prefect home.
Meanwhile, Rose has two pieces included in the issue– her powerful and emotional poem Loch Maree, and her short story, a ‘cutty tale’, Oot o the Mooths o’ Bairns.
Weel done tae oor makars.
Next up, prolific poet Damaris West, has scored a hat-trick of success. Her poem Those Days, These Days appeared in The Writer Monk Magazine 3rd Issue with the theme of ‘belonging’. Damaris was also invited to read her poems Into This Breathing World and Development-living at the online launch party for issue 30 of literary magazine Lighthouse. And to round off her successful month, Development-living is published in this issue.
Great work, Damaris.
Our writers are making their mark in non-fiction too.
As core contributors to Writers’ Narrative magazine (on Substack), Susan McVey and Linda Brown continue to have a monthly article each published. The magazine’s theme for June was ‘Food’.
Susan’s article, Feast and Famines, explores the role food can play in dystopian fiction.
Linda’s piece, One Bite at a Time. looks at how food can be used to develop characters.
Both articles offer thoughtful perspectives on the theme.
These midsummer successes remind us of the talent, dedication and creative spirit within our club. July is sure to bring even more achievements for us to celebrate.
Well done everybody, an inspiration for all.