Author, researcher, broadcaster, editor, critic, tutor, since 1970.
PUBLISHED WORK SUMMARY – TO June 2022
(full list here ‘Published Work’)
Nonfiction
Books and book-length work:
1. “Man & the Stars, Interstellar Contact and Communication”, Souvenir Press 1974, Book Club Associates 1974; paperback Corgi 1978; US hardcover “Interstellar Contact”, Henry Regnery Co., 1975; US paperback “The Mysterious Signals from Outer Space”, Bantam 1977; French paperback “À L'Écoute des Galaxies”, Robert Laffont, 1976; French hardback Robert Laffont, 1976; Spanish “A la Escucha de las Estrellas”, 1977; Greek 1979; serialised in Holland and Japan.
2. “New Worlds for Old, The New Look of the Solar System”, David & Charles, 1979; US edition William Morrow Inc., 1979.
3. Exhibition captions, ‘The High Frontier, A Decade of Space Research’, Third Eye Centre, Glasgow, 1979.
4. “Man & the Planets, The Resources of the Solar System”, Ashgrove Press, 1983, hardcover and paperback, imported to USA by Salem House; illus. Ed Buckley and Gavin Roberts. Second edition in preparation.
5. Photo-archive (16,000 images), Glasgow 1990 Press Centre, European City of Culture, 1991.
6. 800-page correspondence course in GCSE English Literature, International Correspondence Schools, 1998; specialist topics including Lord of the Flies, Pride and Prejudice, Macbeth, She Stoops to Conquer, war poems and love poems.
7. “Children from the Sky, a speculative interpretation of a mediaeval mystery”, Mutus Liber, May 2012; illus. Sydney Jordan.
8. “The Stones and the Stars: Building Scotland’s Newest Megalith”, Springer, November 2012.
9. “Incoming Asteroid! What could we do about it?”, Springer, November 2013.
10. “Waverider, A Spacecraft in Waiting”, in preparation.
11. “Search among the Stars”, in preparation.
Contributor to 23 other nonfiction books, most recently William Rudling, ed., “Jeff Hawke’s Cosmos – the Epilogue”, 2020.
Over 1750 articles and papers published, in press or in preparation. Book reviews for The Glasgow Herald, 1971-1986, occasionally thereafter; Space Outlook, Spacereport and Asgard, 1977-2003; Space Policy, occasional; Interzone, 2008-ongoing, Concatenation, 2008-ongoing, Cosmic Aspects, 2011-2012, and Shoreline of Infinity, 2015-ongoing; critical notes, Space Notes and occasional reviews, Jeff Hawke's Cosmos, 2003-2018; Space and Scotland, October 2016-October 2017. Many articles reprinted, several translated (German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Slovenian, Polish, Finnish).
Shorter articles include monthly astronomy column 'The Sky Above You' for various newspapers and magazines 1983-93, restarted thrice-yearly in Jeff Hawke’s Cosmos, 2003-2018; monthly in Dalyan Kingfisher, Turkey, 2005; monthly in Cosmic Aspects, online 2011-2012, Ayrshire Post, 2012-2017, Troon's Going Out, 2014-ongoing, Orkney News, September 2018, ongoing; quarterly in Wyldwood Radio Magazine, 2013-2017; occasional in The Word on the Streets, 2014-ongoing; quarterly in Space and Scotland, 2016-2017. ‘Beginner’s Astronomy’ weekly series begun Orkney News, March 21st 2021, ongoing.
Fiction
Books:
1. "Starfield: science fiction by Scottish writers", edited for Orkney Press, 1989; trans. Fenix Publications, Poland; paperback 2nd edition with new introductions, Shoreline of Infinity, June 2018. Cover by Sydney Jordan, introduction by Angus MacVicar, contributors including Alasdair Gray, Naomi Mitchison and Prof. Edwin Morgan, and winners of the Glasgow Herald competition (see below).
2. “The Elements of Time”, Shoreline of Infinity, 7th September 2016, illus. Sydney Jordan.
3. “From the Moon to the Stars”, Other Side Books, July 2019.
4. “The Other Side of the Interface”, Other Side Books, January 2021.
Contributor to 16 other fiction books’ inc. "Comets", ed. Asimov, Greenberg & Waugh, 1986; "Warrior", ed. J.E. Pournelle, 1986; "The Drabble Project", ed. Meades & Wake, 1988. Most recent: Michael S. Collins, ed., “The Second Christmas Book of Ghosts”, Other Side Books, December 2017; Duncan Lunan, ed., “Starfield, Science Fiction by Scottish Writers”, 2nd edition, Shoreline of Infinity, June 2018. "The Other Side Book of Ghosts", Michael S. Collins, ed., Other Side Books, December 2021.
43 short stories, novellas & novelettes published, in press or in preparation to date including 10 stories for 'Lance McLane' comic strip, Daily Record, drawn by Sydney Jordan, DL stories 1982-88, syndicated internationally, published in book form in Italy, reprinted in Jeff Hawke's Cosmos and in “Jeff Hawke: The Epilogue”, Jeff Hawke Club, 2019. Most recent prose stories ‘Raltenna Warning’, ‘Raltenna Takeover’, ‘Poe Pour E = MC2’, ‘Superior Conjunction’, in “The Other Side of the Interface”, Other Side Books, July 2021. 16 prose stories reprinted, up to 7 times; 6 translated (German, Italian, & Polish).
Science fiction critic of The Glasgow Herald, 1971-1985; organiser, Glasgow Herald annual SF short story competition, 1986-1992, winners to date and some runners-up in "Starfield", 1989, above; SF reviews for Interzone, started 2008, Concatenation, 2009-2015, Shoreline of Infinity, started 2015, ParSec, started 2021.
Annual 'Science Fiction & Writing' class (20 weeks) at Glasgow University Dept. of Adult & Continuing Education, 1986-93.
Member, Milford UK SF Writers’ Workshop, 1974-78; Active Member, Science Fiction Writers of America, 1974-1990; founder member, World Science Fiction Organisation, Dublin, 1976; founder member, Glasgow SF Writers' Circle, 1986, continuing to present; member, Authors’ Lending & Copyright Society, 2015 ongoing; Chairman, Troon Writers’ Group, 2016.
Editorial and Critical
Marr College Magazine (school): Sub-editor, 1962, Editor, 1963.
Space Outlook, (European Space Association): Editor, nos. 1-4, 1977-79.
Spacereport, (ASTRA, quarterly): Editor, 1981-82, editorial committee, 1986 onwards; Editor, June 1991-1995, 2001, 2004.
Asgard, (ASTRA, occasional), on editorial committee, 1990 onwards; Editor, November 1991 to 1999, July 2001, June to November 2002.
New International Spacereport, No. 2, November 2002.
Edited: “Starfield: science fiction by Scottish writers”, Orkney Press, 1989. Contributors include Edwin Morgan, Naomi Mitchison, Alasdair Gray, Chris Boyce, Angus McAllister, Archie Roy and Donald Malcolm, plus Glasgow Herald competition finalists (see below.) Cover by Sydney Jordan, introduction by Angus MacVicar. Trans. Fenix, Poland; paperback Shoreline of Infinity, May 2018.
(with Gerry Cassidy) co-edited: Space and Scotland, pilot edition, October 2016, Vol. 1 No. 1, December 2016, No. 2, March 2017, No.3, June 2017, No.4, October 2017.
Science fiction critic of The Glasgow Herald, 1971-1985. Fiction reviews for Interzone, 2008-ongoing, Concatenation, 2008-ongoing, Shoreline of Infinity, 2015-ongoing, ParSec, 2021-ongoing.
Profiles of Brian Aldiss and Chris Boyce for the Glasgow Herald, Chris Boyce profile reprinted in Invention Programme Book with Bibliography, 1983; appreciations of Anne McCaffrey for Albacon 85 Programme Book, Joe Haldeman for Albacon III Programme Book (1986), Harry Harrison for Xiicon Programme Book (1986), Chris Boyce for Albacon 87 Progress Report. Contributor to “Twentieth Century Science Fiction Writers”, St. James Press, Chicago, 1985 (one essay, on Charles Chilton); 3rd edition, eds. Noelle Watson & Paul E. Schellinger, 1991 (three essays, on Charles Chilton, Naomi Mitchison, Joe Haldeman). Interviewed Sydney Jordan, “The Elements of Time” launch, Troon, September 2017.
Organiser, the Glasgow Herald/Albacon SF short story competition, 1986-92. Winners published in The Glasgow Herald with introductory articles. First three winners and four of first three years’ runners-up appear in “Starfield” (see above); another runner-up with introductory article in Albacon 87 Programme Book; one winner with introductory article in “New Writhings in SF”, Glasgow SF Writers Circle, 1988.
Organiser of book review panels for various science fiction conventions, likewise poetry readings (also for 1st Edinburgh Science Festival). Guest of Honour, UNICON 1, Keele University, 1980, LUCON 1, Leeds University, 1988.
‘Space Notes’ begun Astronomy Quarterly, Astronomical Society of Edinburgh, continued in Spectrum, Space Outlook, and Second Look, 1977-79, New Moon 1990-92, and Jeff Hawke’s Cosmos, 2003-2018.
Occasional nonfiction book reviews for the Glasgow Herald, Space Policy and Concatenation; ‘Shelfspace’ nonfiction reviews for Space Outlook, 1977-79, Spacereport, Asgard, Cosmic Aspects, Jeff Hawke’s Cosmos 2004-2017. Drama review, Jordanhill College, May 1983.
‘Lance McLane summary’, commissioned by Sydney Jordan for Lucca exhibition catalogue, 1998.
‘Hawke’s Notes’ for Jeff Hawke’s Cosmos, magazines, Supplement and books, 2003- ongoing; illus. Sydney Jordan.
Introduction, Neil Williamson, ed., “Thirty Years of Rain”, Glasgow SF Writers’ Circle 30th anniversary anthology, September 2016.
Introduction, Michael S. Collins, “By the Dying Tree, a collection of horror shorts”, The Other Side, 26th June 2017.
Newspapers and Magazines:
Marr College Magazine (school): Sub-editor, 1962, Editor, 1963.
Space Outlook, (European Space Association): Editor, nos. 1-4, 1977-79.
Spacereport, (ASTRA, quarterly magazine): Editor, 1981-82, editorial committee, 1986-2011; Editor, June 1991-1995, 2001 and 2003.
Asgard, (ASTRA, occasional journal), on editorial committee, 1990-2011; Editor, November 1991 to 1999, July 2001, June to September 2002.
(with Gerry Cassidy) edited: Space and Scotland, dummy edition, October 2016; Vol. 1 No. 1 December 2016, Vol. 1 Nos. 2, 3 and 4, 2017.
Science fiction critic of The Glasgow Herald, 1971-1985; SF and nonfiction reviews for Interzone, started 2008, Concatenation, 2009-ongoing, Shoreline of Infinity, started 2015, ParSec, started 2021.
Profiles of Brian Aldiss and Chris Boyce for the Glasgow Herald, Chris Boyce profile reprinted in Invention Programme Book; appreciations of Joe Haldeman for Albacon III Programme Book, Anne McCaffrey for Albacon 85 Programme Book, Harry Harrison for Xiicon Programme Book, Chris Boyce for Albacon 87 Progress Report.
Organiser, the Glasgow Herald/Albacon SF short story competition, 1986-92. Winners published in Glasgow Herald with introductory articles. First three winners and four of the first three years' runners-up appear in "Starfield" (see above); another runner-up with introductory article in Albacon 87 Programme Book; one winner with introductory article in "New Writhings in SF", Glasgow SF Writers Circle, 1988.
Organiser of book review panels for various science fiction conventions, likewise poetry readings (also for 1st Edinburgh Science Festival). Major interview by Steve Sneyd on poetry in science fact and fiction, Fantasy Commentator, Winter 1993-94. 2-part interview by Michael Collins, Winterwinds, 2011; interviews by Gerry Cassidy, The Word on the Streets, 2014, Paul Cockburn, Shoreline of Infinity, December 2015.
Monthly astronomy column 'The Sky Above You' for various newspapers and magazines 1983-93, restarted thrice-yearly in Jeff Hawke’s Cosmos, 2003-2018; monthly in Dalyan Kingfisher, Turkey, 2005; monthly in Cosmic Aspects, online 2011-2012, Ayrshire Post, 2012-2017, Troon's Going Out, 2014-ongoing, Orkney News, September 2018, ongoing; quarterly in Wyldwood Radio Magazine, 2013-2017; occasional in The Word on the Streets, 2014-ongoing; quarterly in Space and Scotland, 2016-2017.
‘Space Notes’ begun Astronomy Quarterly, Astronomical Society of Edinburgh; continued in Spectrum, Space Outlook and Second Look, 1977-79, New Moon 1990-92, and Jeff Hawke’s Cosmos, 2003-2018.
‘Beginners’ Astronomy’, Orkney News, started 2021, ongoing.
'Hawke's Notes' for Jeff Hawke's Cosmos, three times yearly, 2003-ongoing, 116 essays to February 2018.
Nonfiction book reviews for the Glasgow Herald, Space Policy, Interzone, Concatenation, ongoing; ‘Shelfspace’ nonfiction reviews for Space Outlook, 1977-79, Spacereport and Asgard 2000-2003, Cosmic Aspects 2011-12. Drama reviews, Jordanhill College Magazine, May 1984.
Commissioning Editor, Space and Scotland magazine, Autumn 2016-October 2017.
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Extensive organising of and participation in public astronomy and space meetings, educational courses, school and library projects, observing nights etc from 1963 onwards (see ‘Public Speaking’ below).
Manager, Glasgow Parks Department ‘Astronomy and Space Education Project’, 1978-79; organised and participated in many school and public library events, with 2 full-time and 4 part-time speakers on call.
On organising committee of Airdrie Public Observatory 1978-2008, Assistant Curator at various times totalling 18½ years during that period, arranging weekly public meetings there, in Hamilton and then in Glasgow, frequently giving talks (monthly at Airdrie from 1997 to 2008). 85 talks to school groups using Starlab planetarium on loan from Armagh Planetarium, 1993.
Monthly astronomy column 'The Sky Above You' for various newspapers and magazines 1983-93, restarted thrice-yearly in Jeff Hawke’s Cosmos, 2003-2018; monthly in Dalyan Kingfisher, Turkey, 2005; monthly in Cosmic Aspects, online 2011-2012, Ayrshire Post, 2012-2017; quarterly in Wyldwood Radio Magazine, 2013-2017; occasional in The Word on the Streets, 2014-ongoing; quarterly in Space and Scotland, 2016-17; monthly in Troon's Going Out, 2014-ongoing, Orkney News, September 2018-ongoing.
‘Beginners’ Astronomy’, weekly for Orkney News, started March 21st 2021.
Commissioning Editor, Space and Scotland magazine, Autumn 2016 to October 2017.
Nonfiction book reviews for the Glasgow Herald, Space Policy, Interzone, Concatenation, 1971-ongoing; ‘Shelfspace’ nonfiction reviews for Space Outlook, 1977-79, Spacereport and Asgard 2000-2003, Cosmic Aspects 2011-12.
Part-time tutor in Astronomy, English Literature and Language, and Creative Writing, International Correspondence Schools, 1995-2008.
Manager, North Lanarkshire Astronomy Project, 2006-2009. Organised and participated in nearly 700 events, over 450 of them schools events (visiting schools or bringing them to the Observatory) and another 115 talks to community groups, libraries etc..
20-week ‘Astronomy and Space’ course of evening classes for Troon Learning Centres, Marr College, Troon, winter 2012-13.
Lectures at Trinity College, Dublin, for Astronomy Ireland, October 2019.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Extensive talk, lecture and broadcast experience: registered STEM Ambassador (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) since December 2006, with Enhanced Disclosure, last renewed 2015. I have an archive on computer of over 60,000 astronomy and space images with over 100 talks ready to give, with more in preparation, and from which talks can be prepared on almost all aspects of astronomy and space at short notice.
Major previous speaking engagements include the ‘Beyond This Horizon’ festival, Sunderland, 1973; Dumbarton ‘Quality of Life Experiment’, 1975; ‘The High Frontier, A Decade of Space Research’, Third Eye Centre and Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow, 1979; keynote speaker, ‘A View from Earth 1984’. Big Bear Lake, California, July 1984; World Science Fiction Conventions (Los Angeles and Glasgow) 1984, 1995 and 2005; Guest of Honour, UNICON 1, Keele University, 1980, LUCON 1, Leeds University, 1988; IBM Heathrow Conference, ‘Science and Paradox’, 1987; Orkney & Caithness Science Festival, 1991; Edinburgh International Science Festival, 1996; British Rocketry Oral History Conferences, later UK Space Conference, Charterhouse, 2000-2007; Scottish Power Planetarium, Glasgow Science Centre, October 2003 and February 2004; American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Hypersonics Conference, Strathclyde University, July 2015; MENSA UK Annual Conference, Glasgow, September 2015; lectures for Astronomy Ireland, Trinity College, Dublin, October 2019; British Interplanetary Society, 1973 and 2021; Doors Open Day. Glasgow, September 2021.‘; British Interplanetary Society, 1973 and 2021’.
Other engagements include Eastercon, 1974; Mid-Argyll Cosmological Institute Conference, 1975; L5 Society (Western Europe) Conference, 1977; Ancient Astronomy Conference, Third Eye Centre, Glasgow, 1978 (chaired); launch of the IBM Personal Computer, Renfrew, 1982; Glasgow science fiction conventions, 1983-1992, 1997 and 1999; Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, and NASA Ames Research Centre Aerothermal Division, 1984; Environmental Sciences Society, Stirling University, 1987; British Space School, 1990; UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space; An Lanntair Gallery, Stornoway, 1992; London Astronomy Show, Lincolnshire Astronomy Weekend, Elgin, Alloa and Bute Writers' Circles, Motherwell Civic Centre, Summerlee Heritage Centre, Ferguslie Park ‘Write Stuff’ Festival, University of St. Andrews 'Cosmos in Architecture' conference, Friends of Clydebank Museum, Rosehall Community Centre; Rotary Clubs of Glasgow, Renfrew, Johnstone, Prestwick, Irvine, Troon; Clydebank Local History Society, West of Scotland Radio Society, Troon Arts Guild, Troon Opportunities in Retirement, Cardonald Library, Ayr Carnegie Library, Royston Public Library; Glasgow Film Theatre; Arran, Bridge of Weir, Girvan, Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Renfrew, Saltcoats and Skelmorlie Workers Educational Associations; Astronomical Societies of Aberdeen, Airdrie, Ayrshire, Blackpool, Bute, Cambridge University, Cardiff, Clydesdale (made Honorary member), Cleethorpes & South Humberside Space Science Society, Dumfries, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Glasgow University, Hatfield Polytechnic, Helensburgh, Highlands, NASA Johnson Space Centre, Norwich, Offa’s Dyke, Paisley, Queen’s College Belfast, Scunthorpe, Stirling, St. Andrews University, Sunderland, Troon, University of Keele, and West Kintyre, monthly lectures at Airdrie Arts Centre 1997-2008, yearly at Blackpool Astronomical Society to 2012. 565 talks to schools and community groups, North Lanarkshire Astronomy Project 2006-2008
10-week 'Interstellar Travel and Communication' course, Glasgow University Adult Education Department, 1973; annual 20-week ‘Science Fiction and Writing’ course, Glasgow University Dept. of Adult & Continuing Education, 1986-1992; 20-week ‘Astronomy and Space’ course, Troon Learning Centres, Marr College, October 2012-March 2013.
Organiser of numerous conferences and exhibitions from 1970, including spaceflight programme for British Easter Science Fiction Convention, Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, 1990; spaceflight and Scottish programme tracks, World Science Fiction Convention, Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, 1995; Glasgow Visual Arts Forum 'Art and Science, Allies or Adversaries?', The Arches Theatre, 2003. Most recently ‘Victorian Astronomy’ and ‘History of Astronomy in Scotland’, Airdrie Public Library, conference June 2006, seminar and exhibition 2008; ‘Spaceflight Then and Now, Historic Space Posters’, Glasgow Science Centre, December 2008; ‘Moon Landing Anniversary’ exhibition, Hillhead Public Library, July 2009; ‘Incoming Asteroid!’ conference, Bridie Library, Glasgow University Union, October 2012.
Council Member, the Association in Scotland to Research into Astronautics Limited (ASTRA), 1963 to 2010. Treasurer 1964-66, President 1966-72, Vice-President 1973-76, Treasurer 1977-78, President 1978-85, Secretary 1986-89, Acting Treasurer 1989, President 1990-97, Treasurer 1997-2006, Secretary 2006-2007, Treasurer 2007 to 2008, Secretary 2009-10, Vice-President 2010. On publications committee 1970-2011; Exhibitions Organiser, 1970-2011, including ‘High Frontier’ and ‘Urban Spacemen’ touring exhibitions; Waverider and Light-Sail technical committees, 1982-2011; Acting Curator, Airdrie Public Observatory, 1980-81, Assistant Curator 1987-97, Curator 2002-2008. Fellow, the British Interplanetary Society, 1973-1989, 2021-ongoing; Chairman, UK Space Development Council, 2002-2003; Treasurer, Mars Society UK (Scotland), 2002-2005.
Chairman, ACTA SCIO Earth & Space Sciences educational charity, 2011 to 2017, Treasurer 2017-2019; Co-organiser, Astronomers of the Future Club, Troon, 2011 to 2017, Treasurer 2017-2019 and 2019-ongoing; Chairman, Troon Writers’ Group, 2016.
BROADCASTING
Numerous radio and TV appearances on astronomy and space topics, starting with the BBC John Craven’s Newsround, The World at One and with Walter Cronkite of CBS News, 1973, The Jimmy Young Show and Pebble Mill at One, 1974, BBC PM, 1983, plus overseas interviews for the BBC World Service, and from Canada, Australia and many from the USA. Monthly astronomy and space spot with Dave Jamieson, Radio Clyde, 1979-1980. Continuing interviews through the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s for Scottish Television, BBC Scotland and BBC Radio Scotland, including the Fred Macaulay Show and MacGregor’s Gathering, currently a frequent contributor to Good Morning Scotland, Sunday GMS and Newdrive. Interviewed in ‘Nukes, Subs and Secrets’ documentary, BBC Scotland Television, 5th November, 2019. Multiple podcast interviews for UK and US stations, 2010-ongoing.
BIOGRAPHY: Born Edinburgh, Scotland, 24.10.45. Grew up in Troon, Ayrshire, 1948-1975; lived in Irvine 1975-1982, Wishaw 1982-83, Glasgow 1983-2012; returned to Troon April 2012; moved to Ayr 2019, returned to Troon 2020. Married Linda Joyce Donnelly 1975, divorced 1984; married Linda Taylor, April 2010.
EDUCATION: Marr College, Troon, 1956-63; gained SCE Higher English (A), French (A), Science (C), Latin (B), Maths.(A), O-grade History, Arithmetic.
University of Glasgow, 1963-68; gained M.A. (Honours.) in English and Philosophy, with Physics, Astronomy, French and Merit Certificate in Logic, 1968.
University of Glasgow, 1983-84; gained postgraduate Diploma in Education, with merit and exemption.
Sighthill College, Edinburgh, 1969-70; passed first year of postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies, converted to Scottish Vocational Educational Qualification in Business Management, Scottish Training Foundation, 2000.
Donated book, journal and magazine collection to Library, University College Cork, September 2017.
EMPLOYMENT:
1. Temporary Assistant Librarian, Craigie College, Ayr, summer 1964.
2. Management trainee and researcher, Projects Dept., Fisheries Division, Christian Salvesen (Managers) Ltd., 1969-70; in charge of Quality Control, Easton Cold Store, summer 1970.
3. Manager, Glasgow Parks Dept. Astronomy Project, March 1978 - December 1979 (designed and built first astronomically aligned megalith in Britain for 3000 years, supervised creation of 'High Frontier' touring exhibition, etc.).
4. Photo-archivist (under contract), Glasgow 1990 Press Centre, (European City of Culture), June 1990 - March 1991, created 'This Is Us Since Hogmanay' touring exhibition.
5. Part-time tutor in Astronomy, English Literature and Language, and Creative Writing, International Correspondence Schools, 1995-2008.
6. Precognitions Agent, Mullane & Co., Solicitors, August 1997 to spring 1999.
7. Manager, North Lanarkshire Astronomy Education Project, March-June 2006, January-June 2007, August 2007 to January 2009. Nearly 700 events including school visits, Observatory visits, observing nights, exhibitions etc..
8. Commissioning Editor, Space and Scotland magazine, 2016-17.
Otherwise self-employed author, researcher, lecturer, tutor, editor, critic and broadcaster, 1970 to date.
Voluntary:
See ASTRA, ACTA SCIO and Glasgow SF Writers’ Circle above, etc., and ‘Folk Music’ below.
Secretary, Vice-President, then President, Irvine Junior Chamber of Commerce, 1977-1980.
Chairman, Argyle Local Housing Association Tenants’ Group, 2002 to September 2006, Vice-Chairman 2006-2010, Chairman 2010-2011.
Committee Member, Glasgow Visual Arts Forum, 2003-2005.
Committee Member, Troon Community Council, 2014-15.
Chairman, Troon Writers’ Group, 2016.
Other major interests
Ancient and mediaeval history, classical music, jazz, folk music, hillwalking.
Designed and built Sighthill stone circle, Glasgow Parks Dept. Astronomy Project, 1982, under reconstruction 2017. Organised and navigated aerial archaeology flight, west of Scotland and Inner Hebrides, 1982. Author, “The Stones and the Stars, Building Scotland’s Newest Megalith”, Springer, 2012.
Author, “Children from the Sky, A Speculative Interpretation of a Mediaeval Mystery”, Mutus Liber, 2015.
Compère, Prestwick Folk Song Club, 1965; Organiser, Irvine Folk Song Club, 1966-70, 1972; Prestwick Folk Song Club, 1967-68, 1972; Troon Folk Song Club, 1972.
Co-organiser, Stevenston Folk Song Club, 1968; West Kilbride Folk Song Club, 1972; Troon Folk Song Club, 1975-81.
Arranged Scottish tours for Martin Wyndham-Reed and Vera Johnson, 1980-82. Organised fundraising concerts for local charities, Dreghorn and Troon, 1970 and 1980; evenings of readings and music commemorating the launch of Sputnik 1, Yuri Gagarin’s flight and the Moon landing for Cottier's Theatre, Glasgow, October 1992, April and July 1993, and at Satellite 1 convention, October 2007; ‘Stars and Brass’ concerts with the Kirkintilloch Band, Airdrie Arts Centre, 1993, and World Science Fiction Convention, Glasgow SECC, 1995; ceilidhs for several Glasgow science fiction conventions including World Conventions, SECC, 1995 and 2005; acoustic and folk concert, ‘Save Our Stones’ campaign, Mitchell Library, Glasgow, July 2013; launch, “Children from the Sky Annual”, Chitchat, Troon, July 2014; Macmillan Cancer Charity event, Yummy Things, Troon, September 22nd, 2015; “The Elements of Time” book launch, RSAS Barassie Works Club, Troon, September 7th 2016; Space and Scotland magazine launch, RSAS Barassie Works Club, Troon, 8th December 2016.
Unaccompanied traditional singer; founder member, Traditional Music & Song Association of Scotland, 1966. Folk music articles and reviews for local papers, 1965-81, Glasgow University Magazine, 1965, and for The Glasgow Herald and The Broadsheet, 1984; most recent, ‘The Irvine Folk Song Club, 1966-72’, for Pete Heywood archive, November 2016; (with Pete Heywood) ‘The Early Days: Folk Music in Irvine and Ayrshire’, Marymass Folk Festival, 50 Years 1968-2017 Blog, Wordpress, August 2017.
Several folk music parodies on science fiction/fantasy themes and more serious songs, four of them ('Space and Scotland', 'The Falklands Arthur Macbride' with John Braithwaite, 'Hercules' with Linda Lunan, 'Mythcon XV' with Leigh Ann Hussey), in Gytha North, ed., "The Old Grey Wassail Test", Beccon Publications, 1987. ‘Campaign Song for Dark Skies’, International Spacereport, June 1994; reprinted Scottish Astronomers Group Magazine, July 2002.
Numerous Burns Supper engagements, most recently for Glasgow Housing Association, Royal Concert Hall, 2006 and 2008; International Welcome Club, Glasgow University, 2009-2012.