Scottish Book Trust is calling for members of the public to submit a real-life story based on the theme of hope, as part of their annual non-fiction writing opportunity that supports and encourages people from across Scotland to use their creativity to share their own experience.
Alongside appealing for stories to be submitted from the public, Scottish Book Trust has commissioned pieces from Scotland’s Scriever Susi Briggs, Ever Dundas and Alycia Pirmohamed, who will also be taking part in workshops.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘Scotland’s Stories is one of the highlights of Scottish Book Trust’s work, giving a platform to people all over Scotland, no matter their experience as writers.
‘It’s a privilege to collect and share these stories from Scotland’s unique and varied voices on the theme of hope, and we’d love to see as many people as possible enjoy the positive benefits of writing for pleasure.’
Members of the public asked to share their tales and reap the benefits of writing for pleasure
Members of the public are being asked to share their real-life stories by national charity Scottish Book Trust.
In its fifteenth year, Scotland’s Stories is an annual writing opportunity where people can share a true story from their life, around this year’s theme of adventure. A selection of stories submitted will be published in a free book, distributed during Book Week Scotland.
Research has found that flexing your creative muscles can support mental health and wellbeing, increase happiness and even delay or reduce symptoms of dementia. The charity wants as many people across Scotland to take part and enjoy the benefits of writing a story for fun.
The opportunity is open to everyone in Scotland, whether they write regularly or haven’t penned anything since school. Stories can be about little everyday happenings to new challenges or once in a lifetime adventure.
Submissions of up to 1,000 words can be made in English, Scots or Gaelic in any form, such as a written story, poem, comic strip, play or letter. Audio and video formats are also welcomed.
A selection of stories will be chosen to be published in a free book, distributed across Scotland through libraries and community groups during Book Week Scotland (13–19 November 2023), Scotland’s national celebration of books and reading. All entries will also appear on the Scottish Book Trust website.
Alongside the stories from the public, Scottish Book Trust has commissioned pieces from several writers: poet, columnist and performer Len Pennie; current Scots Scriever Shane Strachan; poet and spoken word performer Mae Diansangu; author and food writer Sumayya Usmani; as well as Gaelic writers Seonaidh Charity and Alistair Paul.
Stories should be submitted by Friday 2 June 2023 via scottishbooktrust.com/about-scotlands-stories or by post to: Scotland’s Stories, Scottish Book Trust, Sandeman House, Trunk’s Close, 55 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said:‘Scotland’s Stories is one of the highlights of Scottish Book Trust’s work, giving a platform to people all over Scotland.
“This opportunity is open to anyone, whether you see yourself as a writer or not. It’s a privilege to collect and share these stories. We’d love to see as many people as possible pick up a pen and enjoy the positive benefits of writing for pleasure and share a story of adventure and what that means to them.’
Alison Lang, Director of the Gaelic Books Council, said:“Tha sinn an dòchas gum bi cuspair na bliadhna, ‘dànachd’, a’ brosnachadh dhaoine gu bhith a’ cur peann ri pàipear.
“Tha Seonaidh Charity, Alistair Paul agus ùghdaran stèidhichte eile air pìosan a sgrìobhadh mar-thà, agus tha sinn airson guthan a’ mhòr-shluaigh a chluinntinn cuideachd mar phàirt den iomairt inntinneach seo. Siuthadaibh, ma-tà… agus bithibh dàna.’
‘We hope that this year’s subject, ‘adventure’, will inspire people to put pen to paper. Seonaidh Charity, Alistair Paul and other established authors have already written pieces on this theme, and we want to hear the voices of the public too as part of this fascinating initiative. So get writing… and let the spirit of adventure lead you.’
Biographies
Len Pennie
Len Pennie is a poet who writes predominantly in the Scots language. She is passionate about the promotion of minority languages and the destigmatisation of mental illness. She has a regular column in The Herald, and her first collection, poyums, will be published by Canongate in February 2024.
Shane Strachan
Shane Strachan is the National Library of Scotland’s current Scots Scriever, writing new work in Doric inspired by the national collections. His stories and poems have appeared in New Writing Scotland, Northwords Now, Gutter, Stand and other national literary magazines and anthologies.
He has staged work with the National Theatre of Scotland and, following the award of a Scottish Book Trust Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowship in 2018, he exhibited his spoken-word project The Bill Gibb Line in Aberdeen Art Gallery across 2020–2021. He holds a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Aberdeen.
Sumayya Usmani
Sumayya Usmani is a Pakistani-born writer, author, and mentor. Sumayya won the Scottish Book Trust, Next Chapter Award 2021 for her memoir, Andaza (Murdoch Books, 2023).
Sumayya went from practising law for twelve years to pursuing food writing. Her first book, Summers Under the Tamarind Tree (Frances Lincoln, 2016) was the first Pakistani cookbook in Britain. It won the Best First Cookbook category in the Gourmand Cookbook Awards in 2016 and was shortlisted for the Edward Stanford Travel Writing Award.
Her second cookbook, Mountain Berries and Desert Spice (Frances Lincoln, 2017) was shortlisted in the Best Cookbook of the Year category at the Food & Travel Magazine Awards. Sumayya is a regular on Radio 4’s The Kitchen Cabinet with Jay Rayner and writes for national and international publications.
Mae Diansangu
Mae Diansangu is a poet and spoken word artist from Aberdeen. She has performed at literary festivals across Scotland and appeared on BBC Scotland’s Big Scottish Book Club and BBC Radio 4’s Tongue and Talk.
Her series of poems ‘black lives, heavy truths’ is part of the National Library of Scotland’s collection. You can read her work in the anthologies Tales fae the Doric Side and Re creation – a queer poetry anthology. Mae writes in both English and Doric and is working on her first collection.
Seonaidh Charity
’S e tidsear àrd-sgoil a th’ ann an Seonaidh Charity. ’S ann à Loch Bhraoin ach tha e a’ fuireach san Eilean Dubh. Chaidh a’ chiad nobhail aige An Làmh a Bheir fhoillseachadh mar phàirt dhen sreath ‘Lasag’ le Sandstone Press. Chaidh na sgeulachdan goirid aige fhoillseachadh ann an irisean leithid danamag, Northwords Now agus 404 Ink.
Seonaidh Charity is a secondary school teacher who works in Inverness. He is originally from Lochbroom but now lives on the Black Isle. His first novel An Làmh a Bheir was published as part of the ‘Lasag’ series (Sandstone Press). Seonaidh has had short stories published in danamag, Northwords Now and 404 Ink.
Alistair Paul
Tha Alistair a’ fuireach an Eilean Arainn far a bheil e ag obair na ghàirnealair. Chaidh na leabhraichean ficsean aige, Linne Dhomhain agus Fir an Diùraidh, fhoillseachadh le Luath, agus tha an obair aige air nochdadh anns na h irisean Tuath, STEALL agus Poblachd nam Bàrd.
Alistair lives on the Isle of Arran where he works as a gardener. His works of fiction, Linne Dhomhain and Fir an Diùraidh, are published by Luath and his writing has also appeared in Tuath, STEALL and The Poets’ Republic.
This year’s Book Week Scotland celebrations are fast approaching, with a line-up themed around ‘Scotland’s Stories’, as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, has worked closely with writers and partners to put together an exciting week packed full of online and in-person events and activities, taking place 14–20 November.
A new book, Scotland’s Stories, has been published by Scottish Book Trust, featuring true stories from people across Scotland as well as exclusive contributions from published writers Angus Peter Campbell, Raman Mundair, Graeme Armstrong and Helen Fields.
70,000 copies of the book will be given out for free during Book Week Scotland through libraries and community spaces, and it will also be available to read online and as an audiobook.
Book Week Scotland is the country’s biggest celebration of books and reading. This year, the public are invited to vote on their favourite animal from fiction – voting is now open, and a national winner will be revealed during the week. Scottish Book Trust will also be asking people to share what they’re reading during the week on a Reading Map of Scotland.
From icons of literature to local tales, Scotland’s Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present.
Book Week Scotland events taking place in Edinburgh include:
Three Chairs for Crime: Three Authors with Daggers Drawn – Tuesday 15 November, 7.30–9pm at Juniper Green Bowling Club. Join three McIlvanney-listed authors – Andrew James Greig, Allan Martin and Deborah Masson – to discuss aspects of the crime-writing genre and explore what it takes to write crime.
LGBT Health and Wellbeing’s Age Action Group’s Read with Pride – Wednesday 16 November, 2.30–4pm at Duncan Place Community Centre. Hosted by award-winning playwright Jo Clifford, this hybrid event will feature older community members talking about the queer writing that played an important part in their lives.
Treasure Your History; History: Your Treasure – Wednesday 16 November, 2–3pm at Edinburgh Central Library. Librarian Iain Duffus twill show some of the rare gems the library holds (like the first Bible printed in Edinburgh, and early editions of Burns) in this specially arranged visit during which there will be the chance to explore the awesome book stacks, see some of Scotland’s first newspapers from the eighteenth century, and browse selected local items laid out to enjoy.
Comics Jam – Friday 18 November, 7–8.30pm at Argonaut Books. A fun evening of comic-making at Edinburgh’s newest indie bookshop. Starting with a blank piece of paper, you take it in turns with others to create a comic, one panel at a time. It’s improvised, so you don’t know how the story will turn out!
Scottish By Inclination: An Afternoon with Barbara Henderson – Sunday 20 November, 2.30–3.30pm at Lighthouse Bookshop. Barbara has been Scottish by inclination for 30 years. Now a children’s author, storyteller and teacher in the Highlands, she gives us a lively glimpse of Scotland through the eyes of an EU immigrant from her first ceilidh to Brexit and the choppy seas of citizenship.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘Book Week Scotland is a special time of year, where people across Scotland can come together to celebrate and experience the magic of books and reading.
“The 2022 programme features a mix of fun, spooky, inspiring and unusual events and activities. This year’s Book Week Scotland forms part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022, celebrating Scotland’s rich culture of telling stories.
“We hope you’ll be able to join in with a Book Week Scotland event in your community, or one of the many ways to take part online.’
Alan Bett, Head of Literature and Publishing at Creative Scotland, said:‘Book Week Scotland is upon us with an imaginative and inspiring programme to excite, intrigue and surprise.
‘This high-profile national focus on literature brings readers together to engage with stories and meet their favourite authors.
‘In particular this year’s connection with the Year of Stories allows our folklore and rich heritage to be viewed and enjoyed through contemporary voices.’
Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive of the Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC), said:‘Book Week Scotland is a terrific opportunity to celebrate everything that is great about books, reading and bringing together people, families, and communities to explore and revel in the power of words and shared stories.
“Libraries across Scotland have great programmes lined up during Book Week Scotland.
‘Research shows that reading for just six minutes a day can reduce stress levels by up to 68 per cent in people of all ages, and with our libraries across Scotland filled with an abundance of free reading materials – whatever your interests and ability – we hope people will take the opportunity to use Book Week Scotland to start or get back to enjoying books and at the same time rediscover the enchanting world of the many brilliant libraries right on their doorstep.’
Neil Gray MSP, Minister for Culture, said:‘Book Week Scotland’s theme around Scotland’s Year of Stories continues our celebration of innovative and ground-breaking forms of storytelling. This has been a bumper year for new and untold stories from people in communities across Scotland.
‘There has never been a better time to enjoy a good story and this week’s events will also highlight the wealth of emerging and forward-looking writing and storytelling talent we have on our doorsteps.’
