Charles Lang is from Castlemilk in Glasgow. He studied English Literature at the University of Edinburgh and is currently pursuing a PhD in Creative Writing at the Seamus Heaney Centre, Queen’s University Belfast. He won the Sloan Prize in 2019.
His published work includes Aye ok (Speculative Books, 2020) and As If (Fallow Media, 2021).
Connect with Charles and find out more about his work on his website.
I am honoured to have won the Sloan Prize for 2019. I was surprised, and indeed overwhelmed, when I received the news, and it truly means a lot to me. I think it is amazing that the award celebrates literature in various lowland dialects, and gives significant value to the languages that we learn growing up, and speak in our everyday lives.
Clairvoyant
Anywiy I didny really wanty go but wee Louise in the work wis huvin people roon fur her 30th. I says Louise I’ll come roon n huv a few drinks wae yees n that but I’m no wantin a readin. The last hing I wanted wis tae waste ma last £30 fur a doollaly bastart tae tell me ma granny wis whisperin nice wee hings in his ear. Or so I thought. So we’re huvin a few drinks n as soon as he comes in he clocks me right away n says aw hen you’re no wantin a readin ur ye n I’m sittin there thinkin how the fuck dae you know. Naw I says I don’t think so n the guy’s right starin it me n says are ye sure? Anywiy we’re aw sittin talkin away n people ur up n doon n gon ben fur readins n comin back n givin is aw the shite aboot he knew I hud three weans how did he know I hud three weans n I’m thinkin nae wonder Theresa ye plaster it aw er Facebook. Then Susan comes back in greetin cos the guy wis sayin her wee ma wis talkin tae her sayin keep the chin up hen I’ll always be there fur ye n I was thinkin aye right. But it wis a pure sin cos her wee ma’s no that long passed away. Anywiy wanst everybody’s hud their turn we’re aw sittin n the guy comes ben n says ur ye sure yer no wantin a readin hen I’ll no even take nuthin aff ye fur it n the lassies ur lit Sharon you better go in he’s got somebody fur ye he keeps askin so I thought fuck it n in I goes n sits doon n he says right I know ye wurny wantin a readin but I hud tae get ye in hen cos I’ve hud somebody here fur ye aw night. Honest tae God I couldny believe it.
