Booker Prize winner joins call for Your Stories
Booker Prize winner and Glasgow born author Douglas Stuart has joined forces with national charity Scottish Book Trust to encourage people of Scotland to submit their real-life stories.
Article Source: Scottish Book Trust
First Published: 6 April 2021 13:08
Updated: 6 April 2021 13:08
The ‘Your Stories’ campaign is open to everyone, regardless of writing experience. This year’s theme is Celebration, with the hope of shedding light on the positives of an otherwise difficult year. The submission can be about celebrating yourself, celebrating a loved one, or sharing how you celebrate.
Douglas Stuart won the 2020 Booker Prize for his debut novel, Shuggie Bain (Picador), set in Glasgow in 1981, exploring love, poverty and pride.
Douglas said: “As someone who grew up in a home without books, I understand the importance of stories. They bring together families, friends and communities. Your Stories is an opportunity for the people of Scotland to pick up their pen and share their experiences: from the small steps to the bigger milestones. Our nation is rich with culture, language and traditions, and this is the perfect time to celebrate and treasure them.”
Submissions can be made in English, Scots, or Gaelic in any form – story, poem, comic strip, play or letter – of up to 1,000 words. Every entry will appear on Scottish Book Trust’s website and a selection of pieces will be published in a free book distributed to libraries, community groups and schools during Book Week Scotland (15 - 21 Nov 2021) – the national celebration of books and reading.
Scottish Book Trust has also commissioned authors to share their stories to mark Celebration. Author Elle McNicoll will explore her journey writing Show Us Who You Are (Knights Of) during lockdown, and the overwhelmingly positive response she has had from the neurodivergent community. Poet Courtney Stoddart will celebrate writing as a form of resistance. Author Ross Sayers will share fond memories of his English teacher, reflecting on school as a writer now himself.
Morag Law, author of Cuibhle an Fhortain (Wheel of Fortune, Luath Press), describes the pleasures of a new garden built during lockdown, and poet Eòghan Stewart will explore celebration in a poem about joy, salvation and the many nuanced translations of the Gaelic word gàirdeachas. His first collection, Beum Sgeithe (Wing Beat), will be published by Acair Books later this year.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust said: “Sharing stories is a great Scottish tradition: whether over a drink or around the dinner table, we have a long-established culture of telling tales for comfort or entertainment. For many, Your Stories has been the tentative first step of sharing their writing. At Scottish Book Trust, we look forward to hearing about what you have celebrated over the last year, from the small successes to the bigger milestones.”
Alison Lang, Director of the Gaelic Books Council, said: “This year’s theme challenges us to find reasons for celebration in the midst of adversity. We hope Gaelic speakers will embrace the invitation to celebrate their language and tell their own stories – with some to be published alongside Morag and Eòghan’s pieces in this year’s Book Week Scotland publication. We are delighted once again to be working with Scottish Book Trust to encourage everyone to love reading and try their hand at writing.”
Scottish Book Trust will share a variety of prompts through their website and social networks to help inspire those hoping to submit. There will also be free, digital workshops run by poet Alice Tarbuck, writer Samina Chaudhry, playwright and poet Hannah Lavery, and film and TV writer Michael Lee Richardson. The digital nature of the workshops will allow the writers to engage with an audience no matter their location, allowing the opportunity to be as inclusive as possible. Given the current climate, online workshops can provide the public with a safe space to be creative, supporting positive mental health and wellbeing. For more information and to sign up to a workshop, visit Eventbrite.
Celebration is open for submissions from today until Friday 11 June 2021.
Submissions can be made online via Scottish Book Trust’s website or via post to:
Celebration, Scottish Book Trust, Sandeman House, Trunk’s Close, 55 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR.
Latest Renfrewshire News
Paisley punk scene celebrated in new film
A film about the legendary Paisley punk scene is being premiered on Renfrewshire Leisure's online TV channel.
cinch presents TRNSMT Festival is back for the part of the summer!
cinch presents TRNSMT will finally return to Glasgow Green from 10th – 12th September, following a year without live music in Scotland, for a festival weekend like no other!
Riverside Museum celebrates 10 incredible years since opening
Ten years ago Riverside Museum opened in Glasgow to much critical and public acclaim.
The Bark of Ayrshire immortalised in bronze
Canine celebrities Olive & Mabel, joined their owner Andrew Cotter at the Poet's Path in Alloway this week to meet another doggie duo, The Twa Dogs!
Explore the history and legends of Lochwinnoch through a new digital story collection
A collection of short stories inspired by the Lochwinnoch countryside have launched online this week, thanks to funding received from Renfrewshire Council.
World Refugee Day to be celebrated as part of cultural programme of events at Glasgow Fan Zone
Declan Welsh & the Decadent West have been added to the line-up for the special World Refugee Day concert taking place at Glasgow Green this afternoon!
Work underway to connect Howwood to Paisley via new cycle route
Work is now underway on a new cycle route from Howwood to Paisley as part of drive to enhance active travel opportunities in Renfrewshire.
Nicola Benedetti and Iona Fyfe get behind Make Music Day Scotland this summer
Hybrid of in-person and online events planned in Scotland and across the UK to mark the global, annual celebration of music!
New walking tour app helps Glasgow get back on its feet!
From the latest graffiti murals to historic female icons that shaped Glasgow, get yourself outside this summer with the help of the new Glasgow Walking Tours app!
Young people inspired as Team Up to Clean Up visits local schools
Young people are being inspired to look after where they live and Team Up to Clean Up as Renfrewshire Council's award-winning campaign visits local primary schools.
First Scottish Dance Band online concert series to launch this month
The first ever Scottish Dance Band online concert series is set to launch this month under the watchful eye of musician and BBC Radio Scotland presenter Gary Innes.
Mackies of Scotland and National Trust for Scotland announce partnership to get families exploring this summer
Families are invited to reconnect with the National Trust for Scotland properties they love, uncover clues as they explore and receive a delicious Mackie’s chocolate treat for their efforts.
People across Scotland urged to take things at their own pace as restrictions ease
Scots are being encouraged to take things at their own pace as restrictions ease, as research reveals almost half of adults who have met up with others have found it more overwhelming than expected.
A journey from lockdown back to live theatre 2021 to 2022
Join the National Theatre of Scotland on a journey back to live theatre as it celebrates a programme of new tours, returning productions, a World Premiere and its ongoing digital programme.
Grab yourself a deal in Paisley town centre with FiverFest!
Save money and grab yourself a bargain in Paisley town centre with great £5 offers from our local businesses as part of our summer FiverFest!
Day of digital celebrations planned for Sma Shot 2021
Paisley's annual Sma' Shot Day celebrations will once again be marked with a programme of online events to commemorate the historic victory of local weavers.
Salvage Hunters want your location recommendations for their upcoming episode set to be filmed in Scotland
Salvage Hunters, the well-loved and most watched Discovery Network show is on the hunt for locations to feature in their special Scotland episode.
Dobbies announces virtual events to elevate your garden this summer
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, has announced two virtual Expert Events to help gardeners elevate their green spaces this summer, no matter the size or style of their garden.
Cultural programme for UEFA EURO 2020 Glasgow Fan Zone unveiled
A packed programme of live performances has been announced for the UEFA EURO 2020 Glasgow Fan Zone, with Glasgow Green set to showcase Scotland’s diverse cultural scene!
itison give the chance to win a VIP Olympic experience with Sir Chris Hoy to raise funds for Social Bite
Win a VIP Olympic experience with Sir Chris Hoy or 90s throwback fitness class with Mr Motivator courtesy of itison... and help raise funds for Social Bite to break the cycle of homelessness.
Fun and games guaranteed at Summer Activity Camps
Youngsters can have a summer of fun and games thanks to Renfrewshire Leisure's Summer Activity Camps!
New town centre gallery artspace37 to host Scottish Drawing Competition from Paisley Art Institute
Paisley's newest contemporary art gallery, artspace37, based in Piazza Shopping Centre, is proud to announce that they will host the prestigious Paisley Art Institute's Scottish Drawing Competition!
Charity thanks volunteers for the massive difference they make
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, is getting ready to celebrate Volunteers’ Week (1st – 7th June) by thanking their volunteers for the huge difference that they make to people’s lives.
Celebrating the diverse cultures of ethnic groups in Renfrewshire
The diverse cultures of different ethnic groups in Renfrewshire are being celebrated with a series of online events and creative workshops.
Scottish Opera returns to live performance with over 200 pop up opera shows this Summer
Scottish Opera returns to live outdoor performance for the first time in nine months, with its popular Pop-up Opera Roadshow, starting Thursday 10th June!
New bridge brings big benefits for cycling and walking in Renfrewshire
A new bridge over the Black Cart river next to Glasgow Airport will bring big benefits for people cycling and walking in Renfrewshire.
Ayr company scoops best ice cream in UK award!
Mancini's of Ayr has been voted the best ice cream manufacturer in the UK at the National Ice Cream Championships 2021 run by the Ice Cream Alliance, the sector's UK trade association.
Plans launched to plant ten trees for every person in Glasgow City Region
Over the next decade, ten trees for every man, woman and child in Glasgow City Region will be planted as part of a new urban ‘forest’ to tackle climate change.
Scottish Celebrity Chef backs charity Tartan Tea Party to celebrate Thank You Day
Michelin Star Chef Tom Kitchin is backing Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Tartan Tea Party to celebrate the nationwide 'Thank You Day' on Sunday 4th July.
Dobbies celebrates National Childrens Gardening Week with refreshed Little Seedlings and Ambassador launch
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, has announced the online relaunch of its much-loved Little Seedlings Club, to support and celebrate National Children’s Gardening Week.
Sponsored Links
