Scottish Book Trust announces new participants for What’s Your Story?
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing, has today announced the seven teenage writers and illustrators who will join the What’s Your Story? programme. Now in its fourth year, the scheme has so far assisted over 20 young people from across Scotland to develop writing, illustration and performance projects.
Beccie White, 14, is a performance poet from Edinburgh. She applied for the What’s Your Story? programme because she wants to create poetry which tackles themes that are important to her, such as feminism and other political issues. Beccie believes poetry is important, as it allows her to use her voice and express her opinions creatively. During the programme, she will be mentored by Jenny Lindsay, performance poet and director of Flint and Pitch.
Seven teens in total were selected by a judging team, which included one of the previous What’s Your Story? participants, and representatives from Creative Scotland, The National Library of Scotland, The Gaelic Books Council and Scottish Book Trust. Participants were selected on the enthusiasm and dedication they expressed for teenage participation in creative and literary culture.
The young people received an induction programme with The National Library of Scotland, where they had the opportunity to research their chosen subject and gain inspiration for their personal creative works. They have also recently taken part in a week-long retreat at Moniack Mhor, Scotland’s creative writing centre, where they had dedicated time with their mentors.
As part of the What’s Your Story?, the participants will plan and host StoryCon 2019, Scotland’s biggest creative writing and illustration conference for young people. Last year, this took place in Glasgow and was attended by over 100 young people.
The young people will have the opportunity to preview their creative projects at a showcase event, wrapping up the work they have completed during the What’s Your Story? programme. Industry experts will train the young people to express their work in front of a live audience, with the use of music and images.
Organised and run by Scottish Book Trust, 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. This year it is funded by Badenoch Trust, Kiran’s Trust and The Hugh Fraser Foundation, as well as other trusts and private donors. What’s Your Story? is free to take part in and travel expenses will be covered for all participants. The Gaelic Books Council also funds a Gaelic-language place.
Beccie White said: “I am really excited to be starting my journey on the What’s Your Story? programme, as it is an incredible opportunity to develop as a young poet.
“I am also really looking forward to meeting all the other creative people on the course, as well as inspiring other young authors and creative people. I think being able to share tips and tricks as well as shared experiences with other young creative people with is really important and fun. Overall, I am just really excited to have this opportunity and to inspire other teens!”
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “Scottish Book Trust is pleased to launch the fourth year of the What’s Your Story? programme, highlighting new and upcoming talent in the Scottish literary scene.
“We are grateful to our funders, for making this programme possible, and also to our mentors for providing life-changing support and advice to the young people. We look forward to seeing the work they produce throughout the year.”
The full list of the What’s Your Story? participants is as follows:
Performance poet, Beccie White, from Edinburgh
Performance poet, Devin McRoberts from Paisley
Short story writer, Nicole Foreman, from Dornoch
Illustrator, Sara Oussaiden, from Isle of Skye
Author, Skye Ailun Peng, from Glasgow
Author, Andrew Pettigrew, from Hamilton
Gaelic writer, Ailbhe Murphy, from Glasgow