publishing – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

New £30,000 Grants available to support creative industry careers in Edinburgh

Amazon launches the Regional Creatives Fund, offering multiple grants of up to £30,000 for charities in Edinburgh and around the UK which focus on upskilling people for careers in creative industries.

Grants are available for charities in Edinburgh which run programmes aimed at boosting skills and increasing access to creative industry careers in gaming, publishing, fashion, film, advertising, TV, and music.

The fund is open for applications today from single charitable organisations and consortiums in Edinburgh and across the UK. Applications close on 31^st August 2025.

Amazon today launches the Regional Creatives Fund, offering grants of up to £30,000 to UK charities that develop creative industry career pathways.

The Regional Creatives Fund is open to organisations in Edinburgh and across the UK that help underserved communities access careers in publishing, music, gaming, film, TV, fashion, advertising, and more.

Applications are open now here.

The aim of the Regional Creatives Fund, which aligns with the Government’s recently announced Creative Places Growth Fund, is to increase access to careers in the creative industries for people from underserved communities.

The fund is open for applications from single charitable organisations and consortiums based in the same region that are currently running impactful skills projects and are seeking additional funding to scale, sustain, or innovate their efforts.

Applications for up to £30,000 can be made by individual organisations that meet eligibility criteria, while consortium applications for up to £100,000 are also available. Regional Creatives Fund grants will give charities with existing creative upskilling programmes the flexibility to address their most pressing needs.

Applications are open for small to mid-size organisations who are registered charities in the UK[2]. Applicants must currently be running a programme that focuses on upskilling people from underserved communities for careers in creative industries.

Increasing access to creative industries

Creative Access, the UK’s leading inclusivity organisation in the creative industries, defines underserved communities as a population proven to be under-represented in the sector.

A study from The Sutton Trust, the UK’s leading social mobility charity, shows that many people, particularly those who identify as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, and people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, continue to face significant barriers to entering and progressing in the UK’s creative industries.

Research released by The Sutton Trust found that younger adults from working-class backgrounds are four times less likely to work in the creative industries compared to their middle-class peers. Data from Arts Council England shows only 9% of the creative workforce identifies as disabled, compared to 22% of the general working-age population.

Unique, pro bono Amazon support

In addition to financial support, the Regional Creatives Fund will also use Amazon’s network of creative industry professionals to offer charities pro bono upskilling programmes for their organisations as well as their beneficiaries – including mentoring, work experience, placement opportunities, and digital training.

Support will be provided by creative minds from Amazon Music, Prime Video, Amazon Games, and more.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the fund will be used to expand or continue an existing, impactful programme. Examples of programmes that a Regional Creatives Fund grant can be used for include funding for placements in game development studios, music production training, and portfolio development for future advertising creatives.

Grants will be awarded by an independent judging panel. The panel includes senior leaders from Amazon, The National Theatre, the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Help Musicians, and Music Minds Matter.

Funding applications will be assessed across five key areas. Strong proposals will reflect the fund’s spirit with energy, optimism, and a clear creative purpose; deliver real impact through skills, access, and industry links; show a smart, achievable plan with confident delivery; centre inclusion by amplifying underrepresented voices; and build on existing programmes to grow what’s already working.

More information on the judging criteria is available here.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “I want every young person to have the opportunity to build a successful career within the creative industries, which is one of this country’s greatest assets.

“Whether it’s in film, TV, gaming, fashion or music, we have so much homegrown talent and I am delighted that the Regional Creatives Fund will help shine a spotlight on that right across the country helping people contribute to our national story.

“Alongside our Creative Industries Sector Plan this new fund will help to support growth in these fast-growing sectors by preparing the next generation of creatives to tell our national story on the world stage.”

Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee and RCF Board Member added: “The creative industries are one of the UK’s greatest success stories, but for too long access to careers in this sector have been limited by social and economic barriers.

“Amazon’s Regional Creatives Fund is exactly the kind of initiative we need – offering substantial grants and practical support to help level the playing field.

“By supporting local charities with both funding and industry expertise, this programme will help unlock creative talent across our communities and ensure the UK’s creative sectors truly reflect the diversity of our society.”

“Amazon has been a passionate supporter of creative industries in the UK for many years and the Regional Creatives Fund will supercharge that support in Edinburgh and across the country,” added Paul Firth, Director, Global Music Industry, Amazon Music.

“The aim of the Regional Creatives Fund is to help charities amplify the reach of existing programmes that support pathways to careers in the creative industries. We understand talent is everywhere, but access isn’t, and we’re working to change that. Through the Regional Creatives Fund, we want to help create a future where creativity belongs to everyone.”

Amazon has invested over £4.2 billion in the UK’s creative industries since 2010, with over 2,000 people permanently working across our Film and TV, music and audio, books and publishing, fashion, and gaming businesses, and supporting 16,000 additional jobs.

Amazon’s creative industries footprint extends across the entire UK: from acquiring the historic Bray Film Studios in Berkshire last year, which will house the production of the next season of Citadel; to the long-term contract with Shepperton Studios for exclusive use of new state-of-the-art production facilities at the Surrey studios where The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is currently filming; Guy Ritchie’s Young Sherlock in Wales; Harlan Coben’s Lazarus in Manchester; productions at First Stage Studios and Leigh Studios in Edinburgh; and multiple productions on location in and around London such as the live action movie Masters of the Universe.

The Amazon Literary Partnership has been awarding grants to inspiring non-profit literary organisations, writing centres and community engagement programmes groups since it was first launched in the UK six years ago.

While each has a different focus, all have a shared goal of uplifting and offering opportunities to aspiring writers at any stage of their creative journey, and empowering those from underrepresented communities to experience and contribute to the magic of storytelling through the written word.

Amazon Music is committed to expanding access to UK music talent through a series of targeted initiatives. Partnerships with organizations including the BRIT Trust, Amplify, and the Association for Independent Music support new creative professionals entering the industry.

The Step-Up Fund, a collaboration with the Featured Artists Coalition, will launch its fourth year in 2025. This fund provides financial support to emerging independent artists by offering development grants.

Since its inception, Step-Up has distributed £250,000 to more than 30 UK musicians, including both bands and solo artists across multiple genres. These grants enable artists to fund new recordings, touring costs, marketing campaigns, PR activities, video production, and content creation.

As part of its global strategy to shape a more inclusive audio-storytelling industry, Audible is partnering with multiple institutions in the UK to support creative development programmes, from funding scholarships and classes at the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA), to sponsoring the Barbican Young Poets Program and Women’s Prize for Fiction Discoveries Programme.

To find out more about the Regional Creatives Fund, visit:

https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/community/amazon-regional-creatives-fund

Publishing takes centre stage as Edinburgh International Book Festival announces Industry Strand for 2024

The Edinburgh International Book Festival has revealed details of its full industry programme for 2024.

Unfolding for the first time at the Festival’s new home at Edinburgh Futures Institute, the three-day strand will be packed with panels, showcases and networking events aimed at writers, publishing professionals, programmers, and anyone curious to learn more about the book industry.

The strand kicks off on Wednesday 14 August with Global Ink, the Festival’s dedicated international industry day. Bringing together trade professionals from Scotland, the UK, and beyond, the day will begin with Trends in Global Literature: What’s Next? Run in partnership with the Global Association of Literary Festivals , literary experts and Festival Directors from across the globe will discuss the emerging trends shaping the world of literature today.

There will be insightful contributionsfrom a panel of leading global experts including Literary Curator and Agent Zoe Xie from China, Newcastle Writers Festival Director Rosemarie Milson from Australia, Macodno Literary Festival Director Anja Bengelstdorff from Kenya, and Douglas Resende, Institutional Relations Coordinator from Brazil.

Later in the day audiences can enjoy From Page to Global Stage, offering fascinating insights into the world of literature in translation chaired by writer and translator Daniel Hahn. Korean writer and Booker International shortlisted translator Anton Hur will be joined by Andrea Joyce, Rights Director for Jenny Brown Associates, and Sam McDowell, an Edinburgh-based publisher specialising in translating Latin American fiction into English. Together, they will uncover the journey of translated works and share their insights on enhancing this sector, addressing current challenges, and exploring barriers to the wider proliferation of translated literature.

Audiences can also browse the Translation Pavilion – run in partnership with Waterstones and Publishing Scotland, this dedicated display will showcase the best of literature in translation. Attendees can discover Scottish authors and current UK titles published in a variety of languages alongside English translations of both established and debut international writers.

Global Ink will round off with its Connecting Cultures event, a showcase discussion on the power of international partnerships, chaired by the Book Festival’s Director, Jenny Niven. The event will feature contributions from Moniack Mhor Director Rachel Humphries, leading author Kirsty Logan, British Council’s Literature Programme Manager Matt Beavers, and Sharmilla Beezmohun, Co-founder of Speaking Volumes Live Literature Productions.

Following this, the day will culminate with the Global Ink Social, a relaxed gathering to reflect on the day’s insights and network with fellow attendees and international partners over drinks.

On Monday 19 August the Festival hosts Book Talk: Industry Insights for Writers, a day of industry events dedicated to offering insight for early-career writers, from getting published to building a sustainable career as a writer. Anatomy of an Industry will see leading names offer an introduction to the key roles and responsibilities in publishing, including Anna Frame, Communications Director at Canongate, and Emma Paterson, Literary Agent at Aitken Alexander Associates.

You Heard it Here First: Writing for Anthologies will open the book on Scotland’s thriving indie publishing scene, with discussion chaired by Heather Parry, author and co-founder of literary magazine Extra Teeth, and featuring voices from three leading anthologies and magazines: Charlie Brinkurst-Cuff (Black Joy), Malachy Tallack (Gutter Magazine), and Andrew Wilson (Nova Scotia 2: New Speculative Fiction from Scotland).

The day will also feature Literary Lifelines, an event about making the most of funding opportunities and building a sustainable living as a writer, chaired by Laura Waddell, with contributions from Culture Ireland’s Sharon Barry, Creative Scotland’s Alan Bett, and Oriana Leckert, Director of Publishing & Comics Outreach at Kickstarter.

The industry strand concludes on Wednesday 21 August with Book Talk: Perspectives in Publishing, a day of talks and panels aimed at publishing professionals, delving into some of the talking points dominating the industry, from rethinking accessibility to the unstoppable rise of AI.

Creativity in an Inflexible World offers insight into the questions of accessible publishing, with contributors including Vidisha Biswas of Footnote Press and Caro Clarke of Portobello Literary.

This event will also be available to livestream for remote audiences on a pay-what-you-can basis. Another session sees a panel of experts discussing the potential earthquakes that emerging technologies and AI might set off in the publishing world, and how best to champion human agency in a changing world.

The panel will feature contributions from Deputy CEO of the Publishers Association, Catriona Stevenson, who has been involved in steering an industry-wide AI Taskforce, and Dr Pip Thornton of the University of Edinburgh, who has been devising radical AI interventions as part of the Writing the Wrongs of AI Project.

And Shifting the Dial: Prizes with Purpose delves into the world of literary prizes, with discussions on how to deepen their impact and secure their future with speakers from the Women’s Prize Trust and New Writing North.

Lilidh Kendrick, Programme Manager, and Kate Seiler, External Affairs Manager: “The Book Festival will welcome over 500 authors to its stages in 2024, and our industry strand – scaled up to comprise ten events over three days – is an exciting opportunity to turn the spotlight on the people behind the books. This is a space to forge creative connections; and to pause, reflect, and act on the talking points shaping the industry, both at home and internationally.

“In a nod to our Festival theme Future Tense, we are proud to be welcoming a host of talented industry professionals to share their perspectives on what the future holds for the book world. We’re delighted to be supporting the professional development of writers at different stages in their careers, and want to give thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for making this possible.”

Ticket booking and full information on the industry events can be found at www.edbookfest.co.uk/industry

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.”

Tweet Yourself a Book Deal!

XpoNorth Tweet Pitch returns on Friday 15th January

If you have always dreamed of having your very own book published, 280 characters could be all that is standing between you and securing a literary agent to make your dream a reality.

Now entering its sixth year, the XpoNorth Writers’ Tweet Pitch returns on Friday 15 January 2021 to give writers from across Scotland the chance to pitch their work to a panel of Scotland’s literary agents and publishers.

From 9am to 9pm on Friday 15 January, writers of all levels from across Scotland can tweet pitch their work to top Scottish literary agents and publishers including Jenny Brown, Birlinn, Sandstone Press, Canongate, Floris Books and Saraband simply using #XpoNorth to be in with the chance of a book deal. Completed work or projects still in development from all genres including fiction, non-fiction and children’s writing and illustration will be considered from writers living and working in Scotland. The only requirement is that the work must be unpublished.

The panel of esteemed agents and publishers will review all tweet pitches in real time and will contact the author directly to find out more or make a deal to represent or publish their work.

Produced by XpoNorth and the Association of Scottish Literary Agents, last year’s Tweet Pitch was a trending topic throughout the day with over a thousand direct pitches and reaching more than 650,000 people.

Over the past five years, the project has turned numerous applicants in to published authors including author of Scottish historical and eco-fiction for children, Barbara Henderson; picture book author and illustrator, Corrina Campbell; author of This Golden Fleece – A Journey Through Britain’s Knitted History, Esther Rutter and Leonie Charlton who successfully had Marram published this year by Sandstone Press.

Jenny Brown, Co-Chair of the Association of Scottish Literary Agents said: “The Tweet Pitch gives everyone in Scotland the chance to pitch their ideas to Scotland’s agents and publishers.

“This year, alongside fiction, I’m hoping to see more memoirs, not celebrity biographies, but extraordinary and well-told stories from ordinary people which give insight into their lives, be they care workers, vets, shop owners, firefighters, or mountain rescuers.

“One of the most successful memoirs I’ve represented is Shaun Bythell’s Diary of a Bookseller about his experiences running a bookshop in Wigtown. It’s now been translated into 25 languages. I’d love to find more memoirs which shed light onto experiences and ways of life we know little about.”

Peter Urpeth, Publishing Sector Specialist Advisor at XpoNorth said: “The annual Tweet Pitch has become a very important and unique part of Scotland’s writing and publishing calendar and provides a key moment of open access for Scotland’s writers to the nation’s amazing literary agents and publishers.

“This year more than any other I would say if you have not tried this approach try it now, and that’s especially true of writers in communities who might feel that professional publishing is not open to them. This platform enables a pitch to a very wide range of different editorial needs and tastes, and all at the same time.

“We all know that so many events for authors and for the writing development process have been a victim of the pandemic. But many of us have also witnessed and benefitted from the incredible energy and commitment that the community of writers, writing agencies, agents and publishers in Scotland have shown to each other and to the cause of just keeping going.

“We’ve also seen the immense role that stories, books and all forms of creative narrative whether for escape, for connection or for truth and deep realism have played in getting many of us through these difficult times.

“The tweet pitch is that first moment in the new Year when we connect again, when we try and when we hope, and when we take that vital step of promoting our work. That energy is at the heart of the Tweet Pitch day.”

Aspiring authors keen to learn more about how to make the perfect tweet pitch should visit www.xponorth.co.uk

Michty me! It’s oor Harry … in Scots!

Last week marked the 20^th anniversary of the first publication of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. It also marked Leith-based Itchy Coo / Black & White Publishing’s 15 years in the book trade, and they plan to celebrate by publishing a Scots version of Rowling’s classic – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stane – in October. Continue reading Michty me! It’s oor Harry … in Scots!

New poll shows Scottish writers ‘have broad appeal and a bright future’

With this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival now well underway, a new poll suggests Scottish writers are proving as popular as ever …

Almost seven out of every ten (68%) Scottish adults claim to be buyers of new books by Scottish writers – and just under a third (28%) of Scottish adults purchase at least one new book by a Scottish writer every six months. These are some of the results of a new opinion poll commissioned by independent non-political charity the Saltire Society.

The poll results also indicate that contemporary Scottish writing has a broad appeal across different age groups. 18-24 year olds and those aged over 55 are the most likely to buy new books by Scottish writers, with 72% respectively in each age bracket claiming to ever do so. Adults aged between 45 and 54 are the least likely to buy new books by Scottish writers, with only 60% saying they ever do.

73% of women claim to be buyers of new books by Scottish writers compared to 63% of men. Conversely, only 23% of Scottish adults say they never buy new books by Scottish writers.

Glasgow has the highest proportion of people who say they buy new books by Scottish writers with 78% of the adult population claiming to do so. Meanwhile, those in the regular habit of buying new books by Scottish writers are most likely to be found in the South and West of Scotland. 8% and 9% of adults living in these areas respectively claim to buy new books by Scottish writers at least five times a year.

According to trade body Publishing Scotland, Scotland’s publishers typically account for an annual sales turnover of approximately £343m at invoice value, making the industry an important contributor to the Scottish economy.

Meanwhile, figures from the UK Publishing Association show there were 380 million new physical books sold in the UK last year with a total net invoiced value of £1.612 billion.

An omnibus survey of 2000 British adults conducted as part of an industry report[1] published by Book Marketing Limited in 2005 found that one third of the population never purchases books. Based on that finding, the new poll suggests new books by Scottish writers are achieving a high level of penetration amongst Scotland’s book-buying public.

The results of the poll have been released as nominations close for the 2014 Saltire Publisher of the Year Award. Organised annually by the Saltire Society, the Award is sponsored by Creative Scotland and offers the winning publisher a £4000 cash prize to assist further development of its business. The winner of the inaugural award in 2013 was Glasgow-based small independent publisher Saraband, who impressed the judging panel with their “shrewd and strategic business thinking in a shifting context” and “fresh thinking in their use of digital technology”.

The 2014 winner will be announced as part of the Saltire Literary Awards ceremony on the 11th November.

Saltire Society Executive Director Jim Tough said: “There’s a common misconception that Scottish writing is a minority interest and one that’s only likely to appeal to an older demographic. There is a growing concern also that the younger generation is turning its back on book buying in favour of modern screen-based entertainment.

“In fact, this poll shows Scottish writing and the purchase of new books by Scottish writers appeal to Scottish adults of all ages. The fact that such a high percentage of Scots claim to buy new books by Scottish writers, even if only occasionally, should be a real source of encouragement for the Scottish publishing industry.

“I think it’s also a real testament to the breadth of writing talent there is in Scotland, spanning all genres and including factual as well as fictional writing. By being creative and constantly seeking out new ways to attract a wider audience, Scottish publishers can help to ensure Scottish writing has a bright future for many years to come. That is exactly what the Saltire Publisher Award seeks to encourage and recognise.”