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About Scotland's Stories

Find out more about Scottish Book Trust's annual writing project – Scotland's Stories – and how you can get involved

An illustration of a shoe print made of icons on a green background. The icons include a microphone, pens, books, a map of Scotland and the letters BWS

Scotland's Stories is an annual writing project which aims to encourage all types of people to share their experiences. Every year we use a different theme to help people write about their lives, their way. The theme for 2023 is Adventure.

Adventure is the promise of a fresh start, the excitement of a new opportunity and the warm embrace of the familiar. It’s making time for our loved ones, getting lost in our imaginations or challenging ourselves to achieve something big.

From finding your feet in a new place, falling back into our most cherished memories, or simply deciding to strike out on a new path, our adventures – and who we choose to share them with – are deeply connected to our story, giving us a better sense of the world and our place in it. 

Submissions are now closed. This page is for information only.

Get involved

This project is for everyone, even if you've never written before we'd like to hear from you. We believe everyone has a story worth telling and that telling that story can be a powerful, transformative experience. 

Your entry can be in any form you like – a story, poem, comic strip, play or letter. We also accept video and audio entries.

We welcome entries in Gaelic, Scots and English.

Every piece we receive is featured on our website and a handful of our favourites are included in a free book that we distribute across the country during Book Week Scotland – our annual celebration of books and reading.

Submissions are now closed. This page is for information only.

Writing prompts and inspiration

We've developed five sub-strands to Adventure that we hope will help you start thinking about the story you want to share, and handy writing prompts in English and Gaelic to give you some fun, practical writing exercises that should help develop your ideas.

New beginnings

We all yearn for a fresh start. The excitement of the unfamiliar is intoxicating, motivating us to reinvent ourselves or the path we are on. These are the stories of hope, the moments where we left something behind, started a new chapter and moved forward in our lives.

Try our 'New beginnings' writing prompt.

When we were young

The adventures that are inextricably linked to our younger years. The stories we return to time and time again, that grounded our identity and paved the way for the path we are currently on. From heady, endless summers, whirlwind romances or learning to stand on our own two feet, these are the tales we find comfort in.

Try our 'When we were young' writing prompt.

Everyday adventure

Celebrate the quiet adventures we take every day, finding joy in the small, but equally important moments that make up our lives. From taking a new route to work or switching up to a new biscuit with our afternoon brew, no adventure is too small!

Try our 'Everyday adventure' writing prompt.

Answering the call

The moments where we stepped up to the plate, took on a big adventure and came out the other side on top. From moving to a new country to start again, standing up for the cause worth defending or beginning a new career, these are stories about answering the pull deep down in our soul to challenge and surprise ourselves.

Try our 'Answering the call' writing prompt.

Into the wild

Seeking out the excitement of adventure in our amazing landscapes and wildernesses. These stories celebrate our relationship with nature and however we choose to cultivate it. Whether it’s listening to the rhythmic lapping of waves by the beach, rambling through a secluded glen or wild swimming with friends, our outdoor adventures challenge, recharge and inspire, connecting us to nature and the ones we love.

Try our 'Into the wild' writing prompt.

You can also read through some of the entries already submitted to get inspired including exclusive pieces on Adventure from writers featured in last year's book.

Impact

To be able to showcase these wonderful stories and provide a platform for individuals to grow their confidence, fostering their love of reading and writing, is something we value greatly. We are incredibly lucky to receive such great support year on year, with hundreds of entries coming in from the public. The resulting collection of stories pays tribute to the variety and depth of experience of life in Scotland. You can find out more about the impact of Scotland's Stories from a writer who was included in our 2019 collection, Blether.