Looking for more in Writing and Authors or Live Literature?

Apply for Live Literature part-funded sessions

Live Literature brings reading and writing to the heart of communities by funding author events for organisations across Scotland

Family laughing in audience at event

Applications are now open for Live Literature events taking place before 31 March 2024.

To make sure you can apply when suits you best, there will be a series of rolling deadlines throughout the year, up until our final deadline of 20 November 2023. Panel dates and deadlines are listed below.

Why apply?

Live Literature makes author events affordable.

The author is paid £190 plus expenses per session (for funding awarded before August 2023, the fee remains £175. Find out more about the Live Literature fee increase).

Alongside financial support, the team at Scottish Book Trust can be on hand with help and advice for planning and promoting your session.

You will hear our decision within two weeks of the first panel meeting following your application – dates are listed below.

Key dates

Panels will take place throughout 2023, each with their own deadline. Details of the deadlines for each panel are listed below. All applications should be received no later than midday on each deadline:

  • 20 February deadline – 27 February panel
  • 21 August deadline – 28 August panel
  • 20 November deadline – 27 November panel

Please note that if your application is received after a deadline, it will automatically be included in the next panel. Funding decisions cannot be made between panels, and funding cannot be used for events which have already taken place.

Who can apply?

Not-for profit organisations in every part of Scotland can apply for support to host events or projects with authors.

You can apply for funding if:

  • You are based in any part of Scotland
  • You are applying on behalf of a school, library, community group, arts organisation, local festival, reading/writing group, hospital, prison or an organisation working with adults or children with disabilities, or any other not-for-profit organisation working in Scotland
  • You intend to work with an author listed on the Live Literature Author Directory. Live Literature fees can only be paid to authors on the directory
  • You have the budget to part fund your author events

We welcome applications from ASN settings and schools supporting vulnerable children. Organisations can apply more than once, regardless of previous outcomes, for any panel.

How to apply

The purpose of Live Literature is to inspire communities to read and write for pleasure. This is the reason Live Literature funding exists, so please make sure you address it directly in your application.

The application form will be available throughout the year, but decisions will only be made at scheduled panel meetings.

Apply now

The panel carefully read and consider all applications. Where appropriate, the panel gives feedback along with the award decision.

What are the panel looking for in your application?

  • Imagination: We like to support interesting, imaginative sessions which show a commitment to the promotion and enjoyment of reading and writing.

  • Your local authority area: We aim to support events and projects that reach as wide a range of people as possible and events are spread throughout every local authority in Scotland.

  • Indication of need: In order to ensure that funding has the greatest impact, we want to know why it's needed and who your events will engage. For instance, is there a financial need for this kind of support? Are you targeting audiences who aren't ordinarily reached by your work? Is your event aimed at a specific need in your area?

  • Clear outcomes: We want to support sessions that have a clear and demonstrable benefit. We want to know how many people will benefit from the events and how. We also like to know how the session fits in with any other activity you're planning and whether it will have a legacy.

  • Your history of funding: We welcome applications from organisations that have previously been supported by Live Literature funding, and the panel will take into account how you have used Live Literature funding in the past when making their decision.

What happens next?

Your application will be reviewed by a panel, which meets three times in 2023. We'll send you the result of your application within two weeks of the panel meeting.

The panel carefully read and consider all applications but due to timescales and remote working pressures, will not be able to offer individual feedback on all applications.

Get in touch

For all enquiries, or if you need to make an application in a different way due to access reasons, please email live.literature@scottishbooktrust.com.

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