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Joining the Author Directory: Information for Writers

A guide to joining the Live Literature Author Directory.

Please note that applications to the Live Literature Author Directory are taking a little longer than usual. If you've sent us an application, we'll be in touch as soon as possible.

Authors registered on the Author Directory should have an interest in delivering Live Literature events and being contacted by event organisers, which can include schools. Authors can select only to work with children and young people or adults, depending on what's most appropriate for your events.

The Live Literature directory lists creative professionals such as writers, poets, performance poets, playwrights, storytellers, illustrators, cartoonists, screenwriters and graphic novelists. The directory provides space for creative professionals to share information about your work, skills and experience so that organisations can book you for events.

Processing applications can take some time, especially during Live Literature's busiest times (around funding application deadlines, Book Week Scotland and the end of the financial year). We'll be in touch as quickly as we can.

Applications which partially meet the criteria listed below or from self-published authors will be considered at an Author Directory panel which meets twice a year. Authors taken to panel will hear the result of their application as soon as possible. This may take several weeks during busy periods, or in cases where a sample of work needs to be assessed in full.

If your profile is missing

We make extensive efforts to contact everyone listed on the directory when updating our code of conduct using the contact information we have available. If you previously had a profile on the directory, and you are no longer listed, please get in touch by emailing as soon as possible. 

You can also find out more about searching the author directory.

How to apply

Please send the following to [email protected]:

We may need to consider your application in more detail, for instance if you are self-published or don't clearly meet the criteria for your chosen discipline. In these cases your application will be assessed at a panel which meets twice a year. We may ask you to send in a sample of your work, or ask to see a copy of your publishing contract if you have one. Scottish Book Trust has the right to turn down any applicant based on quality of work.

Application criteria

All applicants must meet the general criteria below, as well as the relevant criteria for your chosen creative area.

Application details for each creative discipline

Traditionally published writers (including poets)

You must be a practising, published creative writer of fiction, poetry or literary narrative non-fiction.

Writers should have at least one published standard length book. This book will be:

  • In print and published within the last ten years

  • Published, marketed and sold to a reputable standard (e.g. widely available in bookshops in Scotland)

  • Printed books that are sold online only and print-on-demand titles will be taken to panel.

Please contact us if your book is published as an e-book only.

Playwrights

Playwrights who have had at least one professional production of their work performed within the last ten years can apply. This means that the company who produced your play is legally constituted, or a Scottish Society of Playwrights' contract (or equivalent) was in place or you received public funding, a commission or a fee for your work.

Performance poets

Performance poets who can demonstrate a regular record of professional performance over a period of at least two years can apply. If your opportunity to deliver events was affected by external factors – i.e. illness; Covid restrictions – then your application may be taken to panel.

Your experience of professional performing should include:

  • Featured sets of at least 15-20 minutes

  • Sets which have been performed at a variety of events e.g. several different literary nights or festivals, run by different programmers

  • Events which have been programmed and promoted to a reputable standard.

Please note:

  • We will ask for a list of up to 10 of these appearances as part of your application (date, event, location, set length)

  • Your range of past events can include events not held in Scotland; however, you should be able to demonstrate some recent experience of performing in Scotland

  • Appearances at slams and open mics (unless as a programmed, featured poet) are not eligible

  • We may ask to see a recording of your work from within the last two years

Storytellers

Traditional and contemporary storytellers on the Directory of Storytellers are eligible to be included on our database. First, please register on the Scottish Storytelling Centre's directory then please email us with a link to your profile there.

Please note that storytellers who are listed on the Directory of Storytellers, but not on our directory, will not be eligible to carry out Live Literature events automatically. This is because we need everyone who is carrying out an event funded by Live Literature to:

You can set this up with us quickly and easily by emailing [email protected]. Please include a link to your profile on the Directory of Storytellers.

Writers (including poets) who have been widely published in literary magazines, journals or anthologies

Writers who have six separate publications in a range of established literary magazines, journals or anthologies can apply. Your application will be accepted at the discretion of Scottish Book Trust.

For literary magazines, journals and periodicals, please make sure your listed publications are:

  • Published regularly (at least annually)

  • Produced to a professional standard

  • In circulation for at least 12 months

  • Have an ISBN or ISSN number

  • Distributed in Scotland

  • Not self-published

For anthologies, please make sure your listed publications are:

  • In print and published within the last ten years

  • Published, marketed and sold to a reputable standard (e.g. widely available in bookshops in Scotland).

  • Printed books that are sold online only/through mail order or print-on-demand will be taken to panel.

  • Pamphlets published, marketed and sold to a reputable standard can be included as a publication. Please note: self-published pamphlets are not eligible.

For online writing, please make sure your listed publications are:

  • Published on websites which applies an editorial policy when commissioning work

  • Writing for which you received a fee

  • Not published exclusively on your personal website

Writers working in film, television and audio

Writers working in film, television, children’s television, audio and radio can apply. You must be able to demonstrate significant experience working at a professional level to be accepted onto the database. This will include at least one of the following:

  • A feature film script that has been commissioned and produced by a third party producer or production company, and was released theatrically in the UK

  • A professionally produced script that has been commissioned and broadcast on TV, radio or through a reputable third-party streaming service (e.g. BBC, Netflix)

  • An extensive record of professionally produced short films that have screened in competition at a range of internationally recognised film festivals (see BAFTA recognised festivals list)

  • A minimum of 2 years working on professional productions in a post that creates, commissions or guides the content of film, television or radio productions such as screenwriter, storyliner, story editor, development executive or creative producer.

Credits should include work that has been marketed and distributed in the UK to a reputable standard but may also include work distributed internationally. If your application only contains work that has been optioned or is still in development but has not yet been produced, we may ask you to provide a reference from the production company.

Illustrators, cartoonists and graphic novelists

Graphic novelists, comics makers, cartoonists and illustrators consistently working at a professional level can apply.

Graphic novelists, comics makers and cartoonists should have at least one of the following: 

  • A minimum of three self-published or traditionally published single issues  

  • A self-published or traditionally published graphic novel  

  • A webcomic of at least 30 updates/running for six months  

  • Publication in a minimum of three anthologies  

  • Publication in a minimum of six established journals, magazines or newspapers 

Please send in a CV including a list of credits and a link to examples of your work online (e.g. your portfolio on your website). Your application will be accepted at the discretion of Scottish Book Trust. 

Self-published writers (including poets)

A self-published writer is someone who publishes their own work (in part or in full). This includes but is not limited to:

  • Online and digital publishing

  • Those who have paid for or contributed to payment of having their work published

  • Those who own or direct publishing companies

  • Publishing co-operatives

We assess applications from self-published authors or which partially meet the criteria at our Author Directory panel, which meets twice a year.

The panel meets to decide if the work submitted as evidence in support of an application are equivalent to industry standard. The panel assess self-published work based on the following: production values, editorial values, illustration quality (if applicable) and quality of content. Email [email protected] to send in a submission of self-published work.

Author Directory panel

The Author Directory panel meet twice a year to consider:

There are three possible outcomes for an application taken to panel:

In each case you’ll be contacted to confirm the next steps.

The panel cannot provide individual feedback on applications, or the piece of work submitted for consideration.

The panel's decision is final. If unsuccessful, you cannot re-submit the same piece of work in another application. You can submit new work or work that has been significantly altered. You can only submit under the self-published category three times but you can apply under a different category if you become eligible in another way.

Feedback on the criteria and complaints procedure

We aim to review this criteria each year to ensure that it accurately reflects professional work across creative disciplines. This includes feedback from authors and relevant organisations. If you have feedback or suggestions, please email [email protected]. 

Scottish Book Trust and the panel's decisions on applications are final. If you would like to send feedback about the criteria, please email as above. If you have any complaints about the application process, please follow our complaints procedure.

Additional considerations

Please be aware: