John Crosbie - Agnes Owens: The Centenary Editions

John Crosbie - Agnes Owens: The Centenary Editions

From Scots Whay Hae! by Alistair Braidwood

June 16, 2026 · 49 min

About this episode

The episode features an interview with John Crosbie discussing the legacy and new editions of his mother Agnes Owens' work.

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast we spoke to John Crosbie , the son of one of Ali’s favourite writers, Agnes Owens whose centenary is being marked in a number of ways, including a handsome set of new editions of her work . Four are available now (see below) with another three coming later in the year - all published on the Polygon Books imprint of Birlinn . John starts by talking about Agnes and who she was as a writer, how she came to first be published (appropriately, with Polygon for the debut Gentlemen of the West ), being part of the short story collection Lean Tales alongside James Kelman and Alasdair Gray, being part of a notable Glasgow Group of writers, the importance of writing groups, her influences, and ponders why Agnes is not, to date, as well known as she should be. The two then discuss the new editions, (which include Gentlemen of the West , Like Birds in the Wilderness , A Working Mother and For the Love of Willie ) , the introductions from writers Dani Garavelli, Kirsty Logan, Kirstin Innes, and Heather Parry, critical acclaim versus commercial success, the legacy which Agnes leaves behind, the Agnes Owens Archive and the important part it has played in…

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