The event marks the end of their time in the What’s Your Story? programme
The teenagers from the What’s Your Story? programme presented their latest work last night at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh.
The programme is run by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing, and funded by Big Lottery Fund’s Young Start programme, The Badenoch Trust and Kiran’s Trust. Other trusts and private donors also contribute to the programme, and a Gaelic place is sponsored and supported by the Gaelic Books Council.
Poet Amelia Puchala, novelist Anna MacDonald and Gaelic short story writer Laura Penman from Edinburgh joined the line-up, demonstrating their pieces that they have worked on with their mentors during the programme.
Amelia worked with poet, performer and programmer, Jenny Lindsay. Anna was mentored by Laura Lam, author of False Hearts, and Laura worked with Gaelic writer Alison Lang, author of An Aisling.
Scottish Book Trust partnered with Neu! Reekie! to train the teenagers on presenting their creative works, including illustration, storytelling and poetry. Seven teens were involved in the What’s Your Story? programme, selected from locations across Scotland, including: South Ayrshire, East Lothian and East Renfrewshire. They have been partnered with mentors who are experts in their chosen creative field, and the showcase offered the opportunity to display their current work.
The showcase was a celebration of the work achieved by the young writers, illustrators and storytellers, and was attended by family, friends and invited guests from Scotland’s literary scene. The event also marks the end of the young people’s time on the programme.
What’s Your Story? was originally funded by Time to Shine, Creative Scotland’s national youth arts strategy and is the first nationwide programme of its kind in Scotland. As well as the showcase, the teens were given the opportunity to join a retreat with their mentors at Moniack Mhor, allowing them dedicated time and space to improve their skills, and an induction programme with the National Library of Scotland.
They were also involved in planning and organising Storycon, Scotland’s biggest creative writing and illustration convention for young people, which was attended by more than 120 participants in June.
Applications are currently open for next year’s What’s Your Story? programme, for interested 14 to 17 year olds from across Scotland. It is free to apply for and take part in, and travel expenses will be covered for all participants.
Any young writers or illustrators who are interested in taking part in the What’s Your Story? programme should visit www.thestoryis.co.uk for more details. The closing date for applications is Monday 12 November.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “It’s wonderful to celebrate the third year of the What’s Your Story? programme with a showcase demonstrating the enthusiasm and progress of the young people involved.
“Throughout the year, the ambassadors have had opportunities to improve their confidence, and receive dedicated advice from experts in their field. Scottish Book Trust wish them all the best of luck for their future projects, and we know that they will be an asset to Scotland’s creative scene.
“Many thanks our funders, Big Lottery Fund’s Young Start, The Badenoch Trust, Kiran’s Trust and the Gaelic Books Council, for making this programme possible.”
Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, said: “Young Start empowers young Scots to pursue their hopes and aspirations while also building skills and confidence for the future.
“I am delighted that young writers and illustrators from across Scotland have been able to develop and showcase their talent on the What’s Your Story? Programme.”
Amelia Puchala said: “I really enjoyed meeting new people through What’s Your Story? and working with professional poets on my work. I worked with Jenny Lindsay on producing a small pamphlet of poems, which I really enjoyed doing. She helped me develop creatively and I’m really thankful for that opportunity.”
Anna MacDonald said: “I think my favourite part of What’s Your Story? has been working with my mentor Laura Lam. She’s really good at giving helpful and constructive feedback and we’ve been working on a short story and also how to write longer pieces of fiction. I also really loved the retreat at Moniack Mhor: it’s such a beautiful place and it’s very inspiring.”
Laura Penman said: “I really enjoyed meeting other like-minded people my age on the What’s Your Story? programme and I liked going to Moniack Mhor and spending time on the retreat. With my mentor, I worked on two short stories, and we focused a lot on world-building.”
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