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Next Chapter Award

The Next Chapter Award is an annual award supporting an emerging writer over the age of 40.

Person writing and drawing at a desk

The Next Chapter Award is currently on hold. We hope it will run again in future but please sign up to our newsletter for the latest information.

Awardees receive:

The award is open to poets, novelists, short story writers, authors of narrative non-fiction and children's authors.

Entries are invited in English, Scots and a combination of both. The award supports writers who are struggling to find time and space to write and who’re working on a project that has real publishing potential.

Meet our previous Next Chapter awardees

Comments from previous awardees

“Winning the Next Chapter Award was one of the best things that’s happened to my writing. Not only has the support from the Scottish Book Trust and all the Award’s benefits been invaluable to my writing career (and finishing my manuscript), but it’s also offered the confidence to believe in my writing so I can set forth to nurture and grow my career as an author.” Sumayya Usmani, Next Chapter Awardee 2020

“At some point we all need a little acknowledgement, a shot in the arm. Receiving the Next Chapter award from the Scottish Book Trust is that and much more. It is an incredible honour and fantastic opportunity.” Ryan O'Connor, Next Chapter Awardee 2018 and author of The Voids (Scribe). 

“The whole process has been one amazing experience after another. Since winning, I’ve been published in several literary journals (including New Writing Scotland), will have a play performed at The Gilded Balloon Theatre, performed at several spoken word events; including the New Writers Showcase in Edinburgh, where I received interest from literary agents and editors. All within one year! I owe everything to Scottish Book Trust and, because of them, my dream is now my reality.” Julie Rea, Next Chapter Awardee 2017

“I was delighted to be selected as the first recipient of the Next Chapter Award. I received lots of incredibly useful, practical support and advice throughout the year, for which I'm very grateful. It was a fantastic experience.” Gail Honeyman, Next Chapter Awardee 2014 and author of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, (HarperCollins).

View previous awardees