Society of Authors Scotland to host writing event with Creative Scotland funding

The Society of Authors in Scotland (SoAiS) has been awarded a grant in the latest round of funding from Creative Scotland to host ScotsWrite, a three-day event for authors near Glasgow.

ScotsWrite will run from 22nd to 24th September at the Westerwood Hotel in Cumbernauld, including speakers Joanne Harris, Jane Johnson and Joanna Penn, alongside other writers and translators running sessions. 

In particular the conference will focus on the business of writing, with sessions offering authors advice how to expand their income streams and on knowing their rights.

Linda Strachan, chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland, said: "The Society of Authors in Scotland are delighted to be supported by Creative Scotland. ScotsWrite offers published and emerging writers alike the chance to network with other literary professionals, hear how to broaden their income streams, share ideas and learn from specialists. However you put pen to paper – as a novelist, children's writer, non-fiction author, translator, poet, playwright or screenwriter - ScotsWrite will address the challenges of breaking through your creative, financial and promotional barriers."

Creative Scotland awarded £900,000 in support for cultural activity across Scotland through the Open Project Fund in February 2017 to individual artists, musicians, dancers, writers, theatre makers, festivals and organisations working across the arts, screen and creative industries. Grants were made to 45 recipients of between £1,000 and £65,000. Over £800,000 of the awards are supported through National Lottery Funding.

Among the other awards made to literature were to the Boswell Book Festival (12th-14th May 2017) and Orkney Book Festival (9th-12th November 2017) towards their 2017 programmes. Northwords Now literary magazine has received funding towards its next two issues as well as the publication of a Gaelic supplement, Tuath. And Glasgow-based author Lisa Ballantyne, who published The Guilty One in 2012 and Redemption Road in 2015, both with Piatkus, has received funding towards her third novel.