Karen Campbell
@writerkcampbell.bsky.social
1.4K followers 690 following 170 posts
Book writer. Scottish. European. www.karencampbell.scot
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Reposted by Karen Campbell
mikeachim.bsky.social
Damn. This is amazing. £325 per week, paid monthly, for 3 years - and the result was a profit for the Irish economy:
www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...
Post from Threads user rodneyowl: "Ireland has declared the Basic Income for Artists scheme permanent. This will be officially announced in tomorrow’s budget. Details to follow. Congratulations to all who fought for it and the present and future artists of all sorts in Ireland. That includes me 👌We’re just comin to the end of a 3 year pilot scheme. It’s been a roaring success. For every €1 paid out to the 2000 participants, the government got €1.46 back. Can’t argue with that. Other countries are already taking note."
Reposted by Karen Campbell
asls.org.uk
Aifter the boombers cleck
and the sodgers traik thro the skau
there’s an auld air sterts up –
bubblin and greetin.

It’s a ballant mithers sing
on their hunkers i the stour
for a bairn deid.

They ken it by hert.

—Alastair Mackie, “Pietà”
The Golden Treasury of Scottish Verse, @canongate.co.uk 2021
Pietà
Alastair Mackie

Her face was thrawed.
She wisna aa come.

In the trams o her airms
the wummin held oot her first bairn.
It micht hae been a mercat day
and him for sale.
Naebody stoppit tae niffer.

His life bluid cled his breast
wi a new reid semmit.
He’d hippens for deid claes.

Aifter the boombers cleck
and the sodgers traik thro the skau
there’s an auld air sterts up –
bubblin and greetin.

It’s a ballant mithers sing
on their hunkers i the stour
for a bairn deid.

They ken it by hert.

It’s the cauldest grue i the universe
yon skelloch.
It niver waukens the deid.
writerkcampbell.bsky.social
Busy final day at Wigtown! Come on down if you can. 😊
jamesaithie.bsky.social
Annaliese Avery - The Wycherleys
@writerkcampbell.bsky.social - This Bright Life
@peteralanross.bsky.social - Upon a White Horse: Journeys in Ancient Britain and Ireland
Greg Hemphill and Julie Wilson Nimmo - Jules & Greg's Wild Swim
Shaun Bythell - Diary of a Bookseller at the Festival

#Wigtown 📚👋
writerkcampbell.bsky.social
What a brilliant night. Back in The Citz for first time in 7 years, and the old lady is looking fantastic. And what a heart-rending, powerful, thoughtful and ultimately uplifting piece of theatre to open with. Congratulations & thank you to all involved.
writerkcampbell.bsky.social
It was an absolute pleasure, Ernie! I mean Olga...😄
olgawojtas.bsky.social
Had a fabulous time at the Wigtown Book Festival being chaired by the lovely @writerkcampbell.bsky.social who unlike Eric Morecambe asked all the right questions and in the right order.
Reposted by Karen Campbell
jamesaithie.bsky.social
Today at #WigtownBookFestival 📚
Alex Riley - Super Natural: How Life Thrives in Impossible Places
Nicholas Sinclair-House - Fault Lines: A Neurocriminologist's Guide to Blame
@mrewanmorrison.bsky.social - For Emma

cont..
#Wigtown #DumfriesAndGalloway
tickets.wigtownbookfestival.com/sales
Home
tickets.wigtownbookfestival.com
Reposted by Karen Campbell
traversetheatre.bsky.social
We have £15 tickets to Black Hole Sign for NHS workers. Use code BLACKHOLE15 online or present your Blue Light Card to our Sales Desk

8-18 OCT
https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/black-hole-sign-autumn-25

A Tron Theatre & Traverse production, in association with National Theatre of Scotland
Promotional image offering £15 tickets for NHS workers, with the instruction 'Use code BLACKHOLE15'. The image shows a smiling elderly woman in a hospital gown sitting and holding a mug, while a young NHS nurse in scrubs stands beside her, smiling and holding sparkly silver boots. They are in a clinical setting with a blue curtain and overhead light.
Reposted by Karen Campbell
eberlmat.bsky.social
And why call it 'golden ticket'?

Disgraceful language. These people have lost everything. Should they also lose their spouses and children?

A reminder that last year 4,671 family reunion visas were granted.

4,671.

Does anyone think this number is a major problem for the UK economy and society?
zoejardiniere.bsky.social
People recognised as refugees fleeing persecution & granted the right to live in the UK to be denied the right to be joined safely by their spouse & children.

This Labour govt is a moral void, a stinking darkness, an empty hollow of cowardice & contempt. #r4today www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Starmer to end asylum ‘golden ticket’ of resettlement and family reunion rights
People granted asylum will have to earn right to invite family in plan charities call ‘straight from populist playbook’
www.theguardian.com
Reposted by Karen Campbell
profdevisridhar.bsky.social
People thinking that Reform's suggestions of getting rid of legal immigrants will fix the NHS have no idea how much it will hurt healthcare. Immigrants & children of immigrants keep the NHS functioning. Same with social care.
writerkcampbell.bsky.social
Thank you Teddy! That's really kind of you 😌
writerkcampbell.bsky.social
Nice seeing you there Teddy!
writerkcampbell.bsky.social
Fascinating evening last night listening to @nicolasturgeon.bsky.social talk about her memory 'Frankly'. Warm, witty and candid. Back @wigtownbooktown.bsky.social this morning, chairing the mighty Chris McQueer. Come on down and join us!
writerkcampbell.bsky.social
Off to chair the extremely funny @olgawojtas.bsky.social this afternoon @wigtownbooktown.bsky.social . Pirates, Krakens, time-travelling librarians... Not sure what we're going to talk about. 😂 Hope to see you there!
writerkcampbell.bsky.social
An amazing surprise to see the cover of my wee book on the Stairs of fame @wigtownbooktown.bsky.social 😀 Festival is in full swing and the buzz is great. Chairing today, tomorrow and Tuesday, then my event is on next Sunday. share.google/gvJofcuU6HiM...
writerkcampbell.bsky.social
😂. Thanks for the heads up. Will do!
writerkcampbell.bsky.social
I'm going to see it in Edinburgh. Heard great things!
Reposted by Karen Campbell
neilmackay.bsky.social
‘Time for Scotland to fight like hell’

If Yes parties win a majority at the next Scottish election that should be used as a mandate for independence. If London says No to a referendum then Scotland should vote regardless

My @heraldscotland.bsky.social column

www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
With a Yes majority, Swinney should call indyref2 and dare London to stop him
Why should John Swinney play by self-imposed rules which bind him hand and foot, and prevent him advancing independence? The answer is: he…
www.heraldscotland.com
Reposted by Karen Campbell
damianbarr.bsky.social
This is an incredible opportunity! I won this fellowship and used the time to edit my first novel, You Will Be Safe Here. To meet and learn from writers in Aotearoa New Zaland and to gain valuable teaching experience. Previous holders inc Louise Welsh, Janice Galloway and others. Apply!
asls.org.uk
Calling Scottish #writers!

Apply for the 2026 Scottish Writing Fellowship at the @universityofotago.bsky.social’s Centre for Irish & Scottish Studies in Aotearoa New Zealand, from 1 Aug–30 Sept 2026. Includes flights, accommodation & stipend. Deadline 31 Oct!
#writing
www.otago.ac.nz/ciss
Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies
The Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies provides an opportunity to study the literature, history, politics and culture of Ireland and Scotland – and of the Irish and Scottish diasporas – over the pa...
www.otago.ac.nz
writerkcampbell.bsky.social
Last day in NYC. Thank you Big Apple. It's been a blast! 😃
writerkcampbell.bsky.social
Currently in the Big Apple for my husband's Big birthday 🎈. What better way to start the day than a stack of American 🥞 😊