Resources for writers
Whether you're looking for guidance on starting your first piece of writing in years or you're on the hunt for professional opportunities or retreats, we've got something for you.
Sign up to our newsletterThis link will open in a new tabCoronavirus and writing: support and information
- Coronavirus, online events and author feesScottish Book Trust believes authors should be paid for their work fairly, including for digital events.
- Coronavirus: resources for writers and freelancersPractical resources and support for those affected
- How to run an online workshopAdvice for facilitating an online workshop, including safeguarding and privacy
- Online writing workshopsFind opportunities to share and improve your work remotely
- Find writing inspiration in lockdownStaying creative is tough even at the best of times
Writing opportunities
Looking for places to send your writing, people to workshop with or nights to attend? We've gathered together opportunities of all shapes and sizes.
- 50 Word FictionCan you write a story in just 50 words?
- Writing groups in ScotlandFind a community of writers near you
- Retreats, workshops, classes and fundingProgrammes and one-off classes for professionals and novices alike.
- Opportunities for writersCompetitions and calls for submissions for Scottish writers
- Spoken word events in ScotlandSpoken word events and open mic nights are a brilliant way of getting your writing out there
- Literary agents in ScotlandCheck out our list of Scottish agents
- How to set up a writing groupNeed some writer friends in your corner? Setting up your own writing group could be the answer
Writing advice
Approaching writing for the first time in a long time or hoping to try something new? We've got some handy guides to help you get started.
- How to start writingIf you've always wanted to try your hand at writing, give our guide to getting started a go
- How to start writing short storiesGet stuck into writing short stories with this handy guide.
- Five ways to battle writer's blockSpending hours of your life looking at a blank page? Give our top tips a try
- Writing a screen adaptationAdvice from Douglas Dougan on how to make the leap from printed page to the big screen
- How to start writing memoirIf you've always wanted to try your hand at writing memoir, give our guide a go
- Writing representative disabled charactersAndrew Pettigrew shares his advice for writing believable characters with additional needs
- Sgrìobhadh anns a' GhàidhligWriting in Gaelic
- Plotting a crime novelMason Cross shares five top tips for plotting crime fiction
- Creating an atmosphere in your writingKirsty Logan's top tips for atmospheric writing
- Writing genderqueer and nonbinary charactersEris Young's advice for authors writing nonbinary characters
- "How I started writing"Jenny Lindsay's unconventional route to poet and spoken word performer
- Creating believable relationships in fictionDaniel Shand on how to create relationships so real you'll believe them yourself
- Writing historical non-fictionFiona Macdonald shares her expertise in bringing history to life
- Creating a sense of placeAmanda Curtin tells us what she thinks is necessary to create a sense of place in a novel.
- Writing fantasy fictionCaroline Dunford on how to make your fantasy world believable and relatable
- Writing for childrenAlan Dapré on how to write children's books that inspire and excite your readers
Publishing and promoting your work
Getting ready to send work to an agent or publisher is as exciting as it is scary, here are a few resources to help pave your way.
- Submitting to a literary agentGetting ready to submit to an agent is an exciting – and nerve-wracking – time
- Getting published: fictionAdvice to help you get your novel out into the world
- Self-publishingFind out more about the risks and rewards of self-publishing your work
- Getting published: narrative non-fictionHow to build your profile as a non-fiction writer
- Getting published: children's and young adult fictionHow to get your manuscript out in the world
- Getting published: poetryWays to get your poetry in print
- Getting published: illustrationThe road to becoming a professional illustrator
- Getting published: scriptwritingAdvice for getting your script picked up by an agent or producer
- Getting published: advice for dealing with rejectionRejection is part of writing life. Here's our advice for taking feedback and moving on
- Promoting your work: social media for writersHow to make the most of your social media presence
- Promoting your work: PR and press tips for writersPromoting your book (and yourself) is an essential skill for writers
- The writer's CVAs a writer applying for jobs or opportunities, you may be asked for a writer’s CV
- Cover lettersYour cover letter may be your first impression, so it's important to get it right
- Writing a synopsisThis gives a quick overview of a longer body of work - here's a few helpful tips to get started
- Author biographyAn author bio provides a quick and concise overview of you and your writing
- Reading your writing aloudScared of reading your writing aloud? Try these top tips for acing your performance.
- How to avoid taking a bad author portraitAlex Hewitt shares how to take the perfect headshot
- How to avoid disaster at an author eventSteven Cole shares some excellent tips for author events
- Proofreading your own workLeila Cruickshank shares her proofing pinciples to help make sure your writing shines
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