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Opportunities for young writers
Opportunities for young writers, illustrators, storytellers and spoken word artists based in Scotland
We've gathered together writing opportunities and workshops from places that support young people’s writing. We’re happy to share their competitions and call outs here, but we’re not affiliated with them in any way. Most of them are aimed at teenagers but we will share opportunities here that include younger age groups too.
If you know of any opportunities you’d like to be listed here please contact us at teen@scottishbooktrust.com(this will open in a new window)
January
March
April
Ongoing
Monthly competitions
Annual competitions
Workshops
Wirdsmit (this will open in a new window)– an online workshop based in Orkney with writing prompts and activities. Aimed at 8–14 year olds.
Write with Rachel(this will open in a new window) – a free series of writing workshops aimed at children and teenagers.
The Writers’ Block(this will open in a new window) – online sessions for children across different age groups.
Winter’s Last(this will open in a new window) – creative writing and storytelling workshops based around Scottish winter traditions, spirits and spells.
Fountainbridge Library(this will open in a new window) – a writing group for 14–18 year olds run by Simon Brown (Scottish Book Trust New Writers Awardee) mostly on Fridays at 2pm. Click on the link above to email him for more details. You do not have to be a library member.
Spark Education Programme(this will open in a new window) – an education programme aimed at introducing teenagers to spoken word, including resources for teachers.
Scottish Youth Poetry Slam Digital Writing Group(this will open in a new window) - monthly workshops with industry professionals for 14 - 17 year olds.
Performing Opportunities
We maintain a list of spoken word and poetry nights(this will open in a new window) throughout Scotland. Some of them welcome under eighteens. They are likely to be postponed during lockdown but may be running online.