Scottish Book Trust New Writers Awards

In association with

We are not currently open for applications for New Writers Awards. To be kept up to date with information about the 2012/13 awards please sign up to the writers and publishers newsletter

We are open for applications to the Gaelic New Writers Awards. For more details and information on how to apply please click here.

Further information on the New Writers Awards:

Funding

Scottish Book Trust will provide a cash award of £2,000 as well as tailored professional development support.  For example the support could be  mentoring, professional development planning or an advice session with a publisher/agent. We will also provide opportunities for New Writers to meet publishers and agents and the writers will also perform at our showcase event.

The selected New Writers will have three months to work on their material before meeting with us to discuss their professional development support.

Eligibility Criteria

Any writer over the age of 18 may apply as long as they fulfil the following criteria:

• You must not have published a novel, narrative non-fiction book (e.g. biography or memoir) or a collection of short stories or poems. However, if all your work has been self-published you may still apply.
• You must be able to show you have a strong commitment to developing a career in writing.
• You must live and work in Scotland.

You are not eligible to apply if any of the following statements apply to you:

• You have already received an SAC New Writers Bursary or New Writers Award
• You are a writer registered on the Live Literature Funding database (storytellers may apply to work on writing if they fulfil the criteria)
• You wish to focus on plays, screen or radio plays
• You are in formal education (By formal education we mean accredited school, university and college courses both part- time and full-time. If you are taking part in summer schools, evening classes or community education classes you may apply). If you accept a place on a formal education course during the awards period you must return the award and withdraw from the programme. This does not apply to PHD students who will be considered. 

Please also note:

If you are a poet or short story writer with a very strong publishing track record you should apply for the mentoring scheme. You may apply for both opportunities, but applicants who are successful for the mentoring scheme will have to withdraw their applications to the New Writers Awards.

If you are between 14 and 17 please contact Heather.Collins@scottishbooktrust.com to ask to join our mailing list for opprtunities for young writers.

If you have any general questions please contact Caitrin Armstrong, Writer Development Manager
0131 524 0177
caitrin.armstrong@scottishbooktrust.com  

If you would like to suggest changes to the application guidelines/process please send an email marked ‘NWA application process’ to caitrin.armstrong@scottishbooktrust.com. All suggestions will be considered before the next awards application period begins.

If you have any complaints about the process, please follow our complaints procedure.