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Quill Scotland

@quill.scot
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Championing the LGBTQ+ Community in the Scottish Literary Scene www.quill.scot

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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 29/11/2025
Our Trans Day of Remembrance Readings Evening event last weekend was a beautiful time. We're hugely grateful to @argonautbooks.bsky.social for providing a safe and welcoming space for us.
Our lineup of readers from the TDOR event taken by @meganboothwriting
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 22/11/2025
Our final reader introduction! Sarah Heitler joins us tomorrow for #tdor. Join us to commemorate - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres...
Sarah Heitler - #TDOR Readings EveningSarah Heitler is a Glasgow based performance poet and award winning flashfiction writer. Her work is slowly gaining recognition in the Scottish queer poetry scene and her poem "Lazarus" was recently accepted for publication in the upcoming Trans Poetica anthology. Sarah's poetry is unashamedly vulnerable, queer and open, and she deeply loves performing her work.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 22/11/2025
AW Earl joins us for their QUILL debut this Sunday. Join us tomorrow - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres...
AW Earl - #TDOR Readings EveningA W Earl is a non-binary writer and storyteller whose work is concerned with gender, deviant bodies, and folklore. They studied English Literature and Creative writing at the University of East Anglia, and have performed their own work and traditional folktales across the UK. Their poetry has been published in various venues, and was recently shortlisted in Renard Press’ Interwoven competition, while their non-fiction has appeared in Lighthouse Journal and a collection by Watkins Press. Their debut novel was published in 2018.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 21/11/2025
Welcoming back the fantastic to our line up of readers on Sunday! Join us @argonautbooks.bsky.social on Sunday evening for our commemoration of #tdor www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres...
Jude Firesong #tdor readings eveningJude FireSong – aka Fabulous Phoenix Boy – is a Scottish-by-inclination, non-binary trans, polyamorous queer man and a neurodivergent, mad, disabled survivor. His work explores intersections of identity; love, loss; social alienation, community, found family; storytelling as identity, vocation, and catharsis.

Jude’s work has appeared in issue 3 of new words and the Level Centre’s Public Open Exhibition 2024; more is forthcoming in rainy weather days, Hush LGBTQ+ Magazine, and Untold Stories (Bedlam Theatre, April ’25). His hybrid collection Made of Magic – poetry of rage & (be)longing was long-listed in nw{p}’s Chapbook Competition ’24; Jude later brought it to the Edinburgh Fringe as a solo poetry show/art exhibition.Billed performance history includes: Shrub Coop’s Queer Cabaret (Fringe ’23), LGBT Health & Wellbeing’s Pride Breakfast and Winter Celebration ’24, Push the Boat Out ’24, Loud Poets x Stanza Festival Slam Poetry Heat ’25.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 20/11/2025
Welcome to the incredible Titilayo Farukuoye! We are so excited to hear them and their wonderful words this Sunday 💖 Get your tickets before they go! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres...
Titlayo Farukyoye #TDOR Readings EveningTitilayo Farukuoye (they/them) is a writer, educator and organiser based in Glasgow. Their work addresses social justice and community care and is informed by rights and cultural leaders like Assata Shakur, Oyèrónkẹ́ Oyěwùmí and Paulo Freire. Titilayo invites us to dream and use our radical imagination to seek more just realities. Titilayo co-directs the Scottish BPOC Writers Network and is a winner of the 2022 Edwin Morgan Poetry Award. Their poetry pamphlet In Wolf’s Skin is available with Stewed Rhubarb Press and Titilayo’s non-fiction book But We Did: Dismantling colonialist myths towards collective liberation is forthcoming.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 17/11/2025
Welcoming back @ambulancebox.bsky.social for our #tdor readings evening @argonautbooks.bsky.social this Sunday!
Amy Jo Philip #tdor Readings EveningAmy Jo Philip is the first out transgender priest in the Scottish Episcopal Church. Prior to transitioning, she published two pamphlets with HappenStance press and two full collections with Salt Publishing under her deadname. She is working on a third collection, to be published by Blue Diode Press in 2026.

Her work was featured in ‘Side A/Side B’, February 2025’s issue of @badlilies, a digital journal of poetry. You can read ‘Knackered Babes’ at www.badlilies.uk.Amy Jo’s work has appeared in a number of magazines including Irish Pages, Gutter, Magma, Eemis Stane, and the final edition of Dreich. It has also been included in a number of anthologies, most recently ‘Scottish Religious Poetry: From the Sixth Century to the Present’ (St Andrew’s Press, 2024) and ‘10 Poets Defend their Cities Against Giant, Strange Beasts’ (Sidekick Books, 2024).
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 16/11/2025
Returning for a second QUILL event this year it's Sol Vardi! Join us @argonautbooks.bsky.social next week - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres...
Sol Vardi - TDOR readings eveningSol is a writer and spoken word poet who explored queer and immigrant experiences. Their poetry weaves political issues, humour, and queer joy alongside everyday experiences of life in their acquired home of Edinburgh.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 15/11/2025
Our host for our Trans Day of Remembrance event next Sunday @argonautbooks.bsky.social is JJ Fadaka!
JJ Fadaka profile photoJj Fadaka is a writer, facilitator, and radical based in Edinburgh. Their work explores the possibility of abolition, feminism, and love to create change.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 14/11/2025
Join us @argonautbooks.bsky.social next weekend to commemorate trans day of remembrance with a lineup of fantastic trans and non-binary readers from across Scotland. #trans #transrights #scottish #scotland #tdor
Trans day of remembrance readings evening, join us for a cosy evening of powerful readings to mark trans day of remembrance, Sunday 23rd November 2025, 7-9pm at Argonaut Books, 15-17 Leith Walk, Edinburgh Readers - Titilayo Farukuoye, Amy Jo Philip, Sarah Heitler, Robyn O'Donnell, Sol Vardi, AW Earl, Lucille Wright, Jude Firesong
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 20/08/2025
Introducing Jommo Calley who will be reading their work for those lucky enough to be coming to our QUEER Riot literary cabaret event in just 4 days! 🤯 See you on Sun 24 @lighthousebks.bsky.social Jommo is a Malawian/Scottish poet exploring the intersectionality of identity, inequality & injustice.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 20/08/2025
Grab a pal and come along to our Queer RIOT event @lighthousebks.bsky.social this Sun 24 Aug, 1pm, to hear Nyla Noor read their work!🌈 Nyla is a queer South Asian artist weaving storytelling, poetry, and visual arts into deep explorations of queerness, intergenerational trauma, and radical healing.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 19/08/2025
Sol Vardi is reading at our Queer RIOT event happening this Sun 24 Aug, 1pm @lighthousebks.bsky.social! Sol is a writer & spoken word poet who explores queer & immigrant experiences. Their poetry weaves political issues, humour & queer joy, alongside everyday experiences of life in Edinburgh.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 18/08/2025
With this debacle finally over let us hope that this is a lesson to all who seek to represent our community - we will not accept those who would divide us and assault our rights to be rewarded on our behalf. Solidarity means something. Solidarity delivered. Thank you to all who took a stand.
Polari is part of the LGBTQ+ writing and reading community and for fifteen years, trans, gender non-conforming and non-binary people have been part of that community - at our events, on our judging panels, on our long and short lists and among our prize winners. This commitment to inclusion remains unchanged. Polari is not and has never been a trans exclusionary organisation. These are not our values and we condemn all forms of transphobia.

What was supposed to be a celebration of exceptional LGBTQ+ literature has been overshadowed by hurt and anger, which has been painful and distressing for all concerned and we apologize to everyone who has been affected.

Many discussions have been undertaken over the last two weeks -with authors, judges, stakeholders, and funders - about the impacts and ramifications of the longlisting of John Boyne's novel and how we can learn from this experience and move forwards.

We have decided as a result to pause the prize this year while we increase representation of trans and gender non-conforming judges on the panels for all the awards and undertake a governance and management review to include our aims and values and work to better support everyone within our LGBTQ+ Polari community. We have already secured strong representation for next year, which we will build on.

We will also explore discussions about the tensions between the claims of freedom of expression and the need to create inclusive and supportive spaces in a world hostile to our trans community members and our community at large.

We extend our heartfelt apologies to everyone affected this year, for the disappointment and despair this has caused.

We acknowledge the ongoing support of the Polari community, everyone we have consulted, and our hugely supportive partners. We are a tiny operation that has run on goodwill and small pots of funding and sponsorship for 15 years and will endeavour to find a way forwards in good faith.Alt in first pictureAlt in first picture
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 15/08/2025
Join us in Edinburgh next Sun 24th August as readers from the queer community bring you their rage, revolution, and renewal, breaking free with a riotous round of readings with a Q&A to follow! 🌟 ⏰ Sunday 24th August, 1-1.45pm 📍 @lighthousebks.bsky.social, 43-45 West Nicolson Street, Edinburgh
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 09/08/2025
On Monday - Mon 11th Aug, 4-6pm at Urban Jungle Brunch Room in Edinburgh. Cabaret For A Cause - a performance fundraise from @fabulousphoenixboy.bsky.social Buy tickets at: www.tickettailor.com/events/fabul... Enjoy performances from Jude & friends 💛🧡❤💖💜💙💚
Mon 11th Aug, 4-6pm
at @sebsurbanjungle

#JudeFireSong, aka #FabulousPhoenixBoy presents:

#CabaretForACause - a #performance #fundraiser in support of The @charlieandcarterfoundation & @prideactionnorth

buy tickets at linktree in bio, or:
 https://www.tickettailor.com/events/fabulousphoenixboy/1799299

[includes "donation only" option for those unable to attend]

on top of ticket sales, raffle tickets, and donations, 15% of all café purchases will also be donated to our amazing charities.

Jude hopes to see many of your  beautiful faces there 💛🧡❤💖💜💙💚

access notes at bottom of caption.

🌈🌈🌈

enjoy performances from Jude & friends, including:

☆ @not_that_robyn

☆ @ambulancebox

☆ Jude's partner @incompletemachine (in his performance debut!!)

☆ @tomas.bepalo

☆ @itsrevv

🎁🎁🎁

WIN incredible prizes in our raffle, including:

☆ original art (donated by Jude, @celesti_ink, and Dee Fairchild)

☆ handmade journals (donated by Dee)

☆ stationery bundles (from Jude’s personal collection)

☆ custom accessories (donated by @mountain_gautier)

☆ vouchers/swag
(donated by Urban Jungle,
@kafekweer,
@ancientrobotgames, @cutebutdeadly.nailco)

☆ book bundle & tote (donated by @cymerafestival)

♿♿♿

access notes:

☆ the venue is not accessible,* as the only bathroom is fairly small, and down a set of stairs

*(as a disabled performer himself, Jude tried his best)

☆ trigger/content warnings will be given by each performer at the start of their set/individual pieces

☆ due to a lack of resources, there will be no interpreting available

☆ hand sanitiser will be available, as well as masks for guests who need them (masking is not compulsory, but welcome)

#charity #CharityFundraiser #LGBT #LGBTcharity #LGBTQ  #LGBTQcharity #LGBTQIA  #LGBTQIAcharity  #PrideActionNorth #CFF #TheCharlieAndCarterFoundation 

#LGBTEdinburgh  #LGBTQEdinburgh #LGBTQIAEdinburgh #QueerEdinburgh #TransEdinburgh #liveEdinburgh
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 08/08/2025
Coming to the Fringe from QUILL collective member @fabulousphoenixboy.bsky.social! Made of Magic - poetry of rage & (be)longing www.thespaceuk.com/shows/2025/m... A powerful love letter to the odd ones out, delivered against a backdrop of original paintings, drawings and photographs.
Made of Magic cover imageReviews and description of the show
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 30/03/2025
Tonight's the night! Our sold-out Trans Day of Visibility night at Argonaut Books with nine fantastic trans and non-binary readers:
Harry Josephine Giles
Amy Jo Philip
Polly Mairead Davies
Robyn O'Donnell
Spencer Mason
Gray Crosbie
Linden McMahon
Jude FireSong
Robin Hague

30th March 2025
7-9pm at Argonaut Books
15-17 Leith Walk, Edinburgh
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 27/03/2025
Say hello to @pollydee.bsky.socials who will be joining us this Sunday to celebrate #TDOV! 🦋 Polly is a trans femme born in the early 1970s. She has not always considered herself a poet, more often writing prose in the past, particularly science fiction and fantasy, with Queer and Hopepunk themes.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 27/03/2025
Introducing Gray Crosbie who will be joining us to read at our #TDOV event on Sun 30 March! 🎉 Gray is a Glasgow-based poet who writes about queerness, gender & relationships. They perform regularly at poetry & cabaret nights around Scotland. Get your tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres...
A photograph of Gray Crosbie performing poetry on stage. They are smiling and holding a book which they are reading from. They are wearing a khaki green jumper and their hair is shaved at the sides with short curls on top.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 27/03/2025
We are now SOLD OUT for our #TDOV event and are looking forward to having Linden McMahon (they/them) join us - a writer, performer, and arts and outdoor learning facilitator! They write about our connections with ecology, dreams for the future, ideas about belonging and family, and queer joy.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 26/03/2025
This weekend and with just three tickets to spare! Join us for an evening to celebrate Trans day of Visibility 🏳️‍⚧️ We’re being joined on Sunday by poet, fiction writer, and visual artist @fabulousphoenixboy.bsky.social! Get your tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres...
Jude Firesong promotional image
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 24/03/2025
6 days until our first event on Sunday 30th March for a cosy evening of powerful readings celebrating Trans Day of Visibility! 🌷 We’re delighted to have poet and photographer Robyn O’Donnell join us to read some of her creations. Get your tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres...
A photograph of Robyn O'Donnell taken by herself in the mirror. She has red glasses on, long hair, and is smiling gently. The photograph has a slightly vintage effect overlaying it.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 22/03/2025
We’re delighted to have Irish poet & researcher Éadaoín Lynch (they/them) join us at our Trans Day of Visibility #TDOV Readings Evening event on Sunday 30th March in Edinburgh and we hope to see you there too! Get your tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres...
A photograph of poet Éadaoín Lynch crouched outside on some rocks. They are smiling at the camera. They are wearing a grey beanie hat, glasses, a light blue, grey and white plaid shirt, and blue jeans.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 21/03/2025
On Sunday 30 March we’re hosting our first event in Edinburgh - a cosy evening of powerful readings celebrating #TDOV! Don’t miss out - get your tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres... We’re excited to have multi-disciplinary storyteller Spencer Mason joining us to read some of their work. 🦊
A black and white photograph of Spencer Mason performing on stage with a microphone. They are wearing a cap, a linen-like white shirt with the top buttons undone, and necklaces.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 21/03/2025
Say hello to Harry Josephine Giles - one of the brilliant speakers at our #TDOV Readings Evening event on 30th March! Get your tickets at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres... Now living in Leith, Harry Josephine is a writer and performer from Orkney. Learn more about her at harryjosephine.com
A beautiful photo of Harry Josephine Giles where she is smiling at the camera.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 21/03/2025
Introducing comedian Robin Hague @celestialrobin who is bringing her unique performance to our #TDOV event on Sun 30 Mar! 🎭 Robin fell into performing late thanks to Leith's Girls Rock School and has plans for an hour at The Free Fringe this year. Get tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres...
A photo of Robin performing on stage with a microphone and a big smile on her beautiful face. She has gorgeous brown curls and red nails.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 09/03/2025
A big thank you to @elsawonderful.bsky.social who will be our host at the #TDOV Readings Evening on Sunday 30th March. Get your tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres... Elsa van der Wal splits their days bookselling for both Typewronger Books and McNaughtan’s Bookshop in Edinburgh.
A photograph of Elsa van der Wal standing outside Typewronger Books smiling and holding a tall stack of books.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 03/03/2025
We’re delighted to have @ambulancebox.bsky.social join us to read at our #TDOV Readings Evening event in Edinburgh on Sunday 30th March! 🦋 Get your tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres... Amy Jo is the first out transgender priest in the Scottish Episcopal Church. Learn more amyjophilip.com
A photograph of Amy Jo reading on stage at an event. The lighting is very colourful with a pink ceiling and Amy Jo's dress lit up in reds and greens. Amy Jo has long bright blonde hair and her dress is patterned with flowers.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 21/02/2025
Join us at our first event on 30th March for a cosy evening of powerful readings celebrating Trans Day of Visibility! Get tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres... The event will showcase talented trans and non-binary writers and poets sharing their work in a welcoming and inclusive space.
A graphic promoting an event. Title reads, "Trans Day of Visbility: Readings Evening." Sub-title reads, "Join us for a cosy evening of powerful readings celebrating Trans Day of Visibility!" The date reads, "Sunday 30th March 2025". Then text reads, "7-9pm at Argonaut Books, 15-17 Leith Walk, Edinburgh." Hand drawn illustrations of a book and a swirl appear alongside three people holding and reading from books. The background is a gradient from blue to pink. All illustrations are in the colours of the transgender flag: blue, white, and pink.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 20/11/2024
It's trans day of remembrance today. The day we remember all of those who lost their lives for being who they truly are. We hope and strive for a day when the tide of hate turns and no more lives are lost to it. All of us can help that day become a reality.
A candle with the text "Transgender day of remembrance 2024"
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 19/07/2024
On the appalling response by @GlasgowsPride to queries about their sponsors. There can be no redefining of "pinkwashing" to defend corporate interests and undermine intersectional solidarity with all LGBTQ+ people wherever they may be. Full response: www.quill.scot#/News/Glasgo...
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 09/07/2024
When @waterstones.bsky.social rushes to fire someone for standing up to hate on their personal account - but is silent over one of their official branch accounts sharing transphobic content.
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Quill Scotland @quill.scot · 02/07/2024
Our mission statement. Pride means standing up for what we believe in, and solidarity across our community 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️
About
QUILL (Queers in Living Literature) Scotland was founded during Pride Month 2024 in response to an atmosphere of increasing hostility and lack of solidarity with the LGBT+ community among the literature organisations of Scotland.

Over the past few years, we have seen organisations that claim to represent all of Scotland’s thriving literary community, defend freedom of speech, and speak for us on the national stage fail to stand by and protect – let alone champion – the LGBTQ+ artists, authors, and poets at the heart of the writing community.Instead, we have seen them run to defend anti-trans figures, including those who are among the most wealthy and powerful individuals in Scotland, even as those individuals promote, fund, and add to the hatred against us in our media and politics. LGBT+ authors and poets have found themselves alienated and abandoned by the very groups that are meant to stand with us and ensure diversity is protected and nurtured.

Scotland’s LGBT+ creators deserve to be championed and celebrated. As artists and simply as human beings, we also deserve to be defended against the hatred that has spread among many of the most powerful people in our society and, shamefully, many of the literary institutions in our country. QUILL Scotland has been established to fight for that future.Where it is needed QUILL Scotland will be the representation, defence, and voice for Scotland’s LGBT+ literary scene, to stand in where those who should be leading these efforts have fallen silent or turned their backs. If they will not organise on our behalf, we will organise ourselves.

Contact us: info@quill.scot
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