A resounding “thanks!” to everyone who came along to last night’s Issue 5 launch event, and special thanks to Liz and Maria at The Arches for kindly hosting us.

Some of the guests had come from quite far afield. It is gratifying to think that people might travel so far just to buy a copy of our little magazine and to meet the people involved. Much like when American readers take out quite expensive subscription packages with us, this sort of thing strengthens my conviction that our modest readership are very passionate about the subjects we cover.

The Arches was nice venue for it. Not only did we have a nice big space beneath the Victorian railway arches of Central Station, but there was also beer on draft, massive portraits of old men’s faces (an exhibition by Jenny Wicks) and lots of gentleman’s club-style leather armchairs and sofas about the place: most in-keeping with the New Escapologist aesthetic, I thought.

I had probably been hoping for a bigger crowd, (it was a much smaller turnout than at the launch event we did at the CCA for Issue Two) but could not have anticipated a better or more friendly one. It was lovely to be in the company of so many like-minded extroverts, weirdos and deliberate hairstyles. I very much enjoyed meeting Canadian Michael who is currently travelling the world; Canadian Cameron who talked with me about the recent human face transplant; and Belfast’s Gertrude Cubicle who is currently being groomed as a spy for the Scottish branch of MI6 but still found time to add illustrations New Escapologist Issues 4 and 5.

In other events-related news, I’m helping to organise a ZINE FAIR at the Free Hetherington. Very excited indeed about this one. The idea is to get zinesters and indie publishers of all stripes together in Glasgow, to get some lovely radical ink into Glaswegian mitts, and—above all—to support the student occupation. More news on this one soon.