About us
We are a national charity that believes books, reading and writing have the power to change lives. A love of reading inspires creativity, improves employment opportunities, mental health and wellbeing and is one of the most effective ways to help break the poverty cycle.
Sign up to our newsletter- The inside storyWe believe that reading and writing for pleasure have the power to transform lives
- Contact usContact us by telephone or email, or get directions to our office in Edinburgh
- Meet the teamFind out who does what at Scottish Book Trust, including contact details
- Our impactWe empower hundreds of thousands of people across Scotland every year through reading and writing
- Vacancies and opportunitiesWe are looking for people who want to transform lives through reading and writing
- Press releasesFind the latest news and updates from Scottish Book Trust
- Board membersWe are led by a strong Board of Trustees who bring a diverse range of professional skills and experience to the charity’s governance
- Annual review and accountsOur programmes benefit hundreds of thousands of people across Scotland every year, from babies to adults
- Our policiesOur policies regarding the website, complaints, environment and user privacy
- Our valuesGuidance on how we behave towards each other, those we work with and the public in general.
Our programmes
Learn more about the programmes offered by Scottish Book Trust including Bookbug for young children, Live Literature events for all ages, writing prompts and awards. We promote reading engagement and create writing opportunities for everyone.
Support us- Arts AlivePart-funded workshops and visits from National Performing Company artists in schools across Scotland
- Authors LiveA series of world class children’s author and illustrator events brought directly to your classroom, library or home for free
- BookbugBookbug gifts book bags to every child in Scotland and we run free song and rhymes sessions across the country
- Book Week ScotlandAn annual celebration of books and reading that takes place across the country.
- Callan Gordon AwardThis award has been set up to celebrate the life of Callan Gordon, a young Scottish writer
- Digital StorytellingHelping people in Scotland tell their life stories
- First Minister's Reading ChallengeAims to help children and young people between the ages of 5 and 18 develop a lasting love of reading
- Ignite FellowshipAn annual award supporting the talents and ambitions of professional writers
- Labs: practical workshops for writersWorkshops to hone skills and gain new insights into the nuts, bolts and business of writing
- Live LiteratureLive Literature helps fund and support author events in communities all over the country
- Live Literature School ResidenciesWork with professional writers, storytellers and creators from our Live Literature directory
- New Writers AwardsAn annual award supporting emerging writers to develop their craft
- Next Chapter AwardAn annual award supporting an emerging writer over the age of 40
- Reading is CaringSupporting people living with dementia through shared reading
- Read, Write, CountA national campaign to improve the literacy and numeracy skills of Scotland’s children
- Scottish Friendly Children's Book TourBringing authors and illustrators to libraries, town halls and schools
- The Robert Louis Stevenson FellowshipAn annual award offering professional writers a month-long writing retreat
- What's Your Story?Supporting Scotland’s young writers and illustrators
- 50 Word FictionEach month we’ll provide a prompt to get you started
- Reading is CaringSupporting people living with dementia through shared reading
Latest news and opportunities
Keep up to date with our latest announcements and opportunities to work with us.
View press releasesPopular Topics
Bookbug Bags
Antenatal
Babies
Bookbug
Read, Write, Count
Awards and prizes
Gaelic
Scots
Getting published
Creative writing
Poetry
Storytelling
Competitions
Additional support needs
Neonatal
Training
Bookbug Sessions
Bookbug Drawalongs
Get started with Bookbug
Bookbug for Health Visitors
Support for Bookbug Session Leaders
COVID-19
LGBTQ+
Heading outdoors
Writing tips