Scottish Book Trust opens for real life story submissions

Scottish Book Trust has launched this year’s ‘Your Stories’ national campaign, appealing for members of the public to share real life stories around the theme of future.

People all over the country are encouraged to submit, even if they have never written before. A selection of stories will be included in a free book that will be given out during Book Week Scotland in November. Submissions can be made in English, Scots, or Gaelic in any form – story, poem, comic strip, play or letter – of up to 1,000 words.

For many of us, the future represents opportunity and gives us hope that we can make positive change for our loved ones, our communities or ourselves. So whether you’re an activist desperate to transform tomorrow, an eternal optimist setting another target for the year ahead or just a dreamer wondering what the next chapter in your life will be, Scottish Book Trust wants your story.

For those unsure how to start, Scottish Book Trust will be running free, digital workshops with some of Scotland's most exciting writers:

• Not the Booker Prize awardee Kirstin Innes, whose upcoming novel Scabby Queen (Fourth Estate) will be released later this year
• New Writer Awardee and Robert Louis Stevenson fellow Malachy Tallack, author of The Valley at the Centre of the World (Canongate)
• Saltire Award nominated author Alison Irvine, author of This Road is Red (Luath Press)
• Next Chapter Awardee Samina Chaudry

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust said: “2020 is a landmark year, and future is the perfect theme to reflect the ongoing social and cultural change happening right now. We want to hear your story: even if you've never written about yourself before. Hopes, fears, dreams – Scottish Book Trust welcomes them all.”

Alison Lang, Director of the Gaelic Books Council, said: “Everyone has a story to tell, and the Gaelic Books Council hopes that people throughout the country will take the opportunity to reflect on the theme “Future” – in verse, in prose or in any other way they choose – and that there will be plenty of Gaelic stories among this year’s submissions.”

The digital nature of the workshops will allow the writers to engage with an audience no matter their location, allowing the opportunity to be as inclusive as possible. Given the current climate, online workshops can provide the public with a safe space to be creative, supporting positive mental health and wellbeing.
Each workshop has limited space so sign up is essential, and the writers will explore different prompts and methods for story writing. They will all also contribute their own stories about future for the book. Visit Scottish Book Trust’s website for more information.

Poet and performer Marjorie Lotfi Gill will also provide writing prompts every Tuesday to help tackle the future theme. These will be made available through Scottish Book Trust’s website and social media.

Tam Clark, poet and writer, will provide his own interpretation of Future in Scots. Scottish Book Trust is also working in partnership with the Gaelic Books Council: author Cairistìona Stone and poet Griogar MacThòmais will provide their own stories for the campaign.

Future is open for submissions from today until Friday 5 June 2020.

Submissions can be made online or via post to:
Future, FAO Gordon Connelly, Scottish Book Trust, Sandeman House, Trunk’s Close, 55 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR.

Last Updated: 6 April 2020 10:15

Source: Scottish Book Trust

Latest Local News

Get ready to get SILLY!

It's almost time for this year's Summer Reading Challenge, and for 2020 it's all about funny books, happiness and having a laugh!

Last Updated: 4th June 2020

Scottish entrepreneur releases fresh sustainable seasonal soda for summer

Specialist soft drinks manufacturer - Rapscallion Soda, has expanded their craft drinks portfolio with a new seasonal range, packed full of fresh ingredients sourced from local Scottish farms.

Last Updated: 4th June 2020

Glasgow Distillery commemorates 1725 Malt Tax Uprising with new blended malt whisky

Glasgow Distillery has announced the launch of Malt Riot Blended Malt Scotch Whisky.

Last Updated: 3rd June 2020

Dear Green fuels up frontline workers with free coffee

Speciality coffee roaster, Dear Green is supporting the NHS by donating free batches of freshly roasted coffee for frontline workers across Glasgow.

Last Updated: 3rd June 2020

Beatson Cancer Charity celebrates Volunteers Week with a poem to say a MILLION Thankyous

Local celebrities and long-term supporters of Beatson Cancer Charity have been invited to join in with the annual celebration of thanking the growing yellow army of volunteers.

Last Updated: 1st June 2020

Sustrans funding boost to support physical distancing across Glasgow

Glasgow's Space for Distancing initiative has been awarded £3.5 million from to support physical distancing measures across the city and help to stifle the spread of COVID-19.

Last Updated: 30th May 2020

Rotunda Drive In Comedy events postponed for 3 weeks

Organisers of this weekend's Rotunda Drive In Comedy event have had to postpone the event until later in June.

Last Updated: 30th May 2020

Stream4Scotland adds new names to 10 hours stream in aid of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy and ViseUp

Stream4Scotland has announced Amy Macdonald, Bow Anderson, Cameron Barnes, Hyyts, James Smith, Single by Sunday and Tide Lines will join the epic line-up for the ten hour stream extravaganza!

Last Updated: 29th May 2020

Make Music Day calls on Scottish musicians to perform Auld Lang Syne

Grassroots music festival, Make Music Day, is calling on Scottish musicians to join together in a celebratory performance of one of Scotland's must popular and enduring folk songs.

Last Updated: 27th May 2020

Dobbies encourages kids to get gardening

The UK's leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, announces its support for National Children’s Gardening Week, which runs from 23rd to 31st May.

Last Updated: 22nd May 2020

National Theatre of Scotland launches PLAY DATES a new online interactive programme for children and families

National Theatre of Scotland in association with leading children’s arts organisations Starcatchers and Imaginate is connecting with families at home during the COVID crisis.

Last Updated: 22nd May 2020

The Glasgow Pantry teams up with Aldi for shopping challenge

Glasgow institution Cafe Gandolfi and modern Scottish pub The Gate are celebrating locally sourced, craft products in their latest series of LIVE takeovers on The Glasgow Pantry this week!

Last Updated: 22nd May 2020

Triple Delight for Glasgow Distillery

Glasgow Distillery has unveiled the third and final expression to complete its Signature Range with Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Triple Distilled – Release No.1.

Last Updated: 21st May 2020

Charity calls on talented Scots to take part in virtual fundraising event

Specialist charity Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBH Scotland) is calling on talented Scots to help save the organisation with a virtual fundraising event.

Last Updated: 19th May 2020

Dobbies supports Virtual Chelsea Flower Show

The UK's leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, will be supporting for The Royal Horticultural Society's Virtual Chelsea Flower Show, which runs from 18 to 23 May!

Last Updated: 18th May 2020

Scottish Book Trust launch online celebrations for Bookbug Week

Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, will host online celebrations this May for Bookbug Week.

Last Updated: 18th May 2020

Scotland Hosts International Prayer Meeting via Zoom

What is believed to be the largest Prayer Meeting held in Scotland since the Reformation has been conducted via Zoom this week, with around 400 people joining.

Last Updated: 18th May 2020

Celebrate World Whisky Day with Johnnie Walker

World Whisky Day is the annual toast to the 'water of life'. This year, Johnnie Walker, the world's number one Scotch, is giving a helping hand so you can celebrate the day in your home environment.

Last Updated: 15th May 2020

itison announce plans to launch first socially distanced Drive In

Scotland's drive in pioneers set to return this July with feel-good Summer movie classics!

Last Updated: 14th May 2020

St. Enoch Centre supports local projects and retail sector

St. Enoch Centre has shown its support to both the local community and the retail sector with donations totalling £15,000.

Last Updated: 14th May 2020

Innovative Create My Cocktail generator & delivery service launches in Glasgow

Create My Cocktail set to bring high-quality drinks to your door, bespoke to you during lockdown!

Last Updated: 14th May 2020

Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival have launched a Lockdown Photography Competition

Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival are looking for entries for their Lockdown Photography Competition and Gallery!

Last Updated: 14th May 2020

Poet Laureate writes poem about Coronavirus

Glasgow's Poet Laureate has written a new poem for the city, reflecting on the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

Last Updated: 14th May 2020

Over 10,000 food packs donated in 24 hours

Kind-hearted members of the public have donated over 10,000 food packs to itison's fundraiser for Social Bite since it launched yesterday!

Last Updated: 14th May 2020

Art company launches online Art Exhibition on behalf of Beatson Cancer Charity

Inspired by daughter's cancer journey, The Studio Fine Art Company has repackaged this year's annual art exhibition to raise money for Beatson Cancer Charity and has taken the event online.

Last Updated: 13th May 2020

itison launches Social Bite fundraiser

itison is launching a fundraiser for Social Bite tomorrow, Wednesday 13th May at 9am, to help those hard-hit by the COVID-19 crisis.

Last Updated: 12th May 2020

Dobbies podcast explores gardening for beginners

The UK's leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, explores gardening for beginners in the second instalment from its podcast series.

Last Updated: 11th May 2020

SF At Home brings you studio tours, workshops and exhibitions

Arts agency unveils plans to engage audiences and support artists and makers during Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.

Last Updated: 11th May 2020

Stay off the tracks. Stay home. Stay safe.

Network Rail has launched a new awareness-raising campaign to warn of the dangers of trespassing on the railway during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Last Updated: 8th May 2020

Cancellation of events in Renfrewshire

Renfrewshire Council has today announced that all large-scale Council-run events will be cancelled until the end of October in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Last Updated: 7th May 2020