I had no idea what to expect when I looked at the submissions – all with pseudonyms so identities were concealed. I was delighted by the diversity of petitioners. A great deal of wit was on display, but many heartfelt and poignant pieces too. I greatly enjoyed reading them, and I hope you do too. Thanks to all who sent submissions. Don’t forget if you are a FWS member you have a right of reply – see below.

The thirty-fourth up is Eve Evans, with an affecting petition to put an end to the cruel practice of puppy farming, in the voice of the puppy himself, whose vividly detailed account of experiences which he does not understand at first should move any reader to sign his ‘Paws Petition’.

Eve says of herself and her piece (link below): ‘Eve originates from Yorkshire but has lived in Scotland for twenty-five years. Since settling in Nairn twelve years ago she has been writing quite seriously. Her first novel grows cobwebs, but she is toiling with a second. She is a proud member of the Pen & I writing group in Nairn and missing being around a table with them just now.She was inspired to write this piece by her love of animals and concern for their welfare.’

https://federationofwritersscotland.files.wordpress.com/2021/05/paws-petition.pdf

I’m delighted too to be able to bring you contributions from our current Makar Finola Scott and our current Scriever Charlie Gracie. These will remain accessible on the web-site until all the posts from contributors have been displayed and will of course appear also in the printed version of the anthology.

You can read Finola’s rousing call to all ‘Braw Lassies’, originally written for a Stellar Quines project, at https://federationofwritersscotland.files.wordpress.com/2020/10/braw-lassies.pdf

You can read Charlie’s letter to Mother Earth, a masterly deployment of Swiftian irony (think ‘A Modest Proposal’) at

https://federationofwritersscotland.files.wordpress.com/2020/10/to-mother-earth.pdf

Any comments on any of the pieces published should be sent direct to me at acclarke6@btopenworld.com Don’t forget if you are a Federation member not already accepted for the Arbroath anthology you can write a response to the poems posted. Email me at the above address for details.