Classic tales and Chinese poetry to be translated in Scots

Ten new books awarded Scots Publication Grant

Ten new books in Scots have been awarded funding by the Scots Language Publication Grant.

Now in its third year, the Scots Language Publication Grant was created by the Scots Language Resource Network to support Scots publishers and to encourage Scots writers. It is funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing.

This year’s successful awardees include translations of well-loved stories such as Aesop’s Fables by Matthew Fitt and James Robertson, and Lemony Snicket by Thomas Clark. Brian Holton will also reimagine poetry of Li Bai and Du Fu (two of the most renowned poets of Ancient China) to new audiences.

Applications were assessed by a panel with expertise in Scots and publishing, including a representative of the Scots Language Centre, Scottish Book Trust and Waterstones.

Three publishers based in Edinburgh were awarded Scots Publication Grants: Itchy Coo (an imprint of Black & White Publishing), Leamington Books and Taproot Press.

The successful titles are:

• A Series o Scunnersome Events, Book the First: The Boggin Beginnin (Itchy Coo) by Thomas Clark and illustrated by Brett Helquist
• A Working Class State of Mind (Leamington Books) by Colin Burnett
• Berries Fae Banes (Tippermuir) by Jim Macintosh
• Hard Roads an Cauld Hairst Winds: Li Bai an Du Fu in Scots (Taproot Press) by Brian Holton
• Laird Graham an the Kelpie (Giglets Education) by Jax McGhee
• Norlan Lichts (Rymour Books) by Sheena Blackhall, Sheila Templeton and Lesley Benzie
• Phantom the Ginger Mog (Wee Stoorie Press) by Kirsty Johnson and illustrated by Mandy Sinclair
• The Day It Never Got Dark In Dundee (Rymour Books) by Ian Spring
• The Itchy Coo Book o Aesop’s Fables in Scots (Itchy Coo) by Matthew Fitt and James Robertson, illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark
• Wheesht (Foggie Toddle Books) by Susi Briggs and illustrated by William Gorman. 

The Scots Language Publication Grant provides assistance for publishing new work (including translated texts), reprinting existing historical or culturally significant work, and also effective marketing and promotion of existing and new work.

Education Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The Scottish Government is pleased to continue to support the Scots Publication Grant for a third year.

“We have seen how this funding can develop talent while widening accessibility of a variety of genres, with titles both new and old, to the Scots speaking community. My congratulations to those who have been successful this year.”

Rhona Alcorn, CEO of Dictionaries of the Scots Language and Chair of The Scots Language Resource Network, said: “The Scots Language Publication Grant plays a hugely important role in supporting Scots as a contemporary literary medium.

“This year’s winning titles illustrate the breadth of creative work in Scots today and truly include something for everyone.”

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “Scottish Book Trust is pleased to offer Scots Publication Grants to these ten new titles.

“The diversity in genre and subject matter of the successful awardees is fascinating: from children’s stories to poetry; from classic tales we grew up with, to ancient Chinese poetry. Our thanks to the Scottish Government and the Scots Language Resource Network for making this grant possible.”