Funding cuts and language (1): Itchy Coo Press closing down

Itchy Coo Press, the Scots language publisher specialising in children’s books, has announced that it’s closing down. Creative Scotland, “into which the Scottish Arts Council was merged last year”, has decided to withdraw their subsidy. There’s a full report in today’s Scotland on Sunday (20 February 2011). Matthew Fitt and James Robertson, who run Itchy …

The book salon

At the hairdresser’s today, for a much-needed cut by the wonderful Carol, we got to talking about books. I don’t usually go to the hairdresser’s expecting literary chat (more fool me). However, I came away with some great recommendations, including the advice to stop off at the Oxfam bookshop nearby, which Carol said is really well-stocked. …

Styling your style guide: Christmas gifts for stylish writing

  The 16th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS) was published this year. There are of course many wonderful style guides: some are listed here. But The CMoS is the one I’m after — just look at the lovely colours on that cover! (I’ve still got the orange 15th edition; I think this …

Competition for book-lovers: clue no. 7

Here’s clue number 7 to our competition for book-lovers: Boy, he had such style in his heyday! By Marian Dougan

Competition for book-lovers: clue no. 6 (and deadline extended)

We’ve decided to extend the deadline to our competition until mid-day, Wednesday 15 December. Here’s another clue: Not quite Manolos, but just as stylish The clue refers to question 1; the answer to question 2 is in the blog (November posts). Answers (correct ones, naturally!) must be submitted no later than mid-day of Wednesday 15 December …

Competition for book-lovers: clue no. 5

Our competition ends at midnight tonight (UK time), so get thinking. You could win some lovely books. Here’s another clue: Mayors Richard M Daley and Richard J Daley. The clue refers to question 1; the answer to question 2 is in the blog (November posts). Answers (correct ones, naturally!) must be submitted no later than midnight …

Competition for book-lovers: clue no. 4

Get thinking, people, it’s good for your brain. Here’s another clue for our competition: Mrs. O The clue refers to question 1; the answer to question 2 is in the blog (November posts). Answers (correct ones, naturally!) must be submitted no later than midnight of Tuesday 14 December 2010 (UK time) via the comments or by email. …

Competition for book-lovers: clue no. 3

Here’s another clue for our competition: Wrigley’s Chewing Gum The clue refers to question 1; the answer to question 2 is in the blog (November posts). Answers (correct ones, naturally!) must be submitted no later than midnight of Tuesday 14 December 2010 (UK time) via the comments or by email. By Marian Dougan

Competition for book-lovers: clue no. 2

Is our competition giving you brain-ache? Here’s a clue to question 1: it’s in the colours (the red might be a touch on the orange side, opinions differ as to the original). For question 2, you’ll have to search the November posts. By Marian Dougan

Gifted in translation (4): Glorious Goldoni

As I’ve been putting together the last few posts on books as Christmas gifts, it’s been a lovely surprise to discover so many publishing houses specialising in their own niche markets or in helping little-known authors get published. Sparkling Books: are publishers of non-fiction and fiction. Our series are: Sparkling Perspectives – non-fiction Sparkling Imaginations – …