Gallus: A Glasgow SF Writers' Circle Anthology

by Neil Williamson (Editor), E.M. Faulds (editor), Brian M. Milton (editor)

An anthology of tales from the Glasgow SF Writers' Circle celebrating the World Science Fiction Convention in Glasgow in 2024. These stories span the genre spectrum from fantasy to science fiction, horror to experimental weirdness. Eclectic is most definitely the word. In Gallus you will find Celtic mythology, literary heists, cursed songs, the world's worst language app, wizards gone bad, the loneliness of space travel, and a convocation of witches gathering to save us all from ecological catastrophe.

Many of these tales are set in Scotland, but not all. Most are written in standard British English, but a few are written in modern Scots, which is the language that gives us our title. Gallus means bold, daring, or high-spirited. It’s very Glasgow. It’s very GSFWC.

Hal Duncan, Annabel Campbell, Cameron Johnston, Ruth EJ Booth, Robin CM Duncan, Jenni Coutts, Richard Mosses, C.J. Henderson, Philip Raines and Harvey Welles, Laura Elise Jenkins, Heather Valentine, Ian Hunter, PS Livingstone, T.H. Dray, Alan M Laird, Stewart Horn, Sophie C. Baumert, Elsie WK Donald, Don Redwood, Ewan Lawson, M. Nesce Drake, Peter Morrison

Genres: Fantasy

290 pages, Paperback

Published August 4, 2024

About the author

Neil Williamson lives in Glasgow, Scotland, and is the author of novels and short stories in genres ranging from science fiction to slipstream.

Several of his books and stories have been shortlisted for awards: Nova Scotia: New Scottish Speculative Fiction (World Fantasy Award), The Ephemera (British Fantasy Award), Arrhythmia (British Science Fiction Association Award), The Moon King (British Fantasy Holdstock Award and British Science Fiction Association Award, runner-up), A Moment of Zugzwang (British Science Fiction Association Award and British Fantasy Award), Nova Scotia vol 2: New Speculative Fiction From Scotland (British Science Fiction Association Award and British Fantasy Award) Charlie Says (British Science Fiction Association Award and British Fantasy Award).

Neil's latest book is: Blood In The Bricks, published by NewCon Press in October 2025.

Reviews

[Raj · Rating 4 out of 5]

I complained that the previous GSFWC book was really quite depressing. I'm pleased to say that this one is much less so, possibly thanks to the influence of Brian Milton, one of the editors (and author of my favourite story of the previous collection) and his sense of whimsy.

There's a strong opening story in Out in the Sticks about a woman who moves to a Scottish village and the unique role she finds herself in. There's a nice story of resistance and fighting back in Gods of the Deepwood, and I thoroughly enjoyed The Sarry Heid Free Press, the story of a heist (or sorts) at a future Glasgow Worldcon, told in broad Scots. Occupy Midnight is a wonderfully uplifting story of a very different kind of convention in Glasgow and is a really great way to round off the collection.

It's a broad church of a book, with stories from all over the SFFH spectrum. I'm not a huge horror fan, but these were well told, and there weren't many stories that entirely missed the mark for me. There's some great writers in the GSFWC and this is an excellent showcase of their talents.

[Runalong · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great and varied set of speculative tales with a host of inventive stories showcasing the talent in Glasgow. Highly recommended

Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific anthology of short stories by writers from the Glasgow SF Writer's Circle. With a huge variety of genres, styles and settings, this collection is beautifully written and highly entertaining throughout. Not a dud in sight!