During the covid pandemic isolation, Lapidus Scotland hosted a series of outdoor events in parks and green spaces throughout Glasgow: Linn, Kelvingrove, Botanic Gardens, along the rivers Clyde and Kelvin, Gartnavel Hospital grounds, Glasgow Green, and the Coningar Loop. These were led by Glasgow writers: Juana Adcock, Lesley O’Brien, Sukhema (Larry Butler) Brian Whittingham, and Christie Williamson. The aim was to get folk out and about walking, writing, talking, taking photos and connecting with the world outside.

The idea for What’s Missing from the book Living Our Dying was planted at the Whitworth Gallery wandering through an exhibition called “Still Parents” with the full names in large letters of still born children along with an art object chosen by the parents. There was nothing in the book about still born children. Returning to Glasgow, we wrote an invitation to readers and contributors to Living Our Dying to send us topics not included along with a paragraph about the topic and references where readers could find out more.

Two of Robin Lloyd-Jone’s previous novels were nominated for the Booker Prize. I expect Gods of the Lost Crossroads will be short-listed and has a good chance of winning. All the worldly winds are woven fine throughout this historical narrative: Gain and loss, success and failure, praise and blame, pleasure and pain. Well-researched evoking the shambles of 19th century British empire in South America and Africa. Lloyd-Jones tells multiple stories of war and racism, greed and hatred, love and friendship, famine and draught. Two of the main female characters epitimise the rise of feminism. Both funny and serious, as in previous novels, the trickster is ever-present forcing the reader to turn the page.

Come to whichever event suits you best – or come to both. Bring as many guests as you wish.These events are also will be a fund-raiser for Water Aid. Gods of the Lost Crossroads has a drought theme. Please reply to Robin: robinlj34@gmail.com

Every aspiring poet has the desire to become the best they can be, and everyone can learn the technical aspects of the craft and become competent, but very few have the gift that raises their work to a higher level and Pat has this gift. She has the ability to observe the ordinary and transform it into the extraordinary plus a keen eye for the emotional detail that lifts a poem to a higher level.This is a collection that deserves a wide readership. Stephen Beattie

For over ten years I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of reading Pat’s poems, and I’ve published a few in anthologies such as Bundles of Bog Cotton and most recently Steps Spark Our Words. A few lines in her tribute poem to Morag Anderson could be about herself: Oh, no, she said, my life has been a gift, a wonderful gift. Pat’s poems are a gift of to us all – carefully crafted, keenly observed, sassy, loving and playful.There will be a book launch in June. Date to be confirmed. Let me know if you’d like an invitation.
Sukhema Butler