Applications open for Scottish teen writers' programme

Scottish Book Trust has opened applications for next year’s What’s Your Story?, a writing programme for teenagers aged 14-17.

The programme, created to connect young writers and creatives in Scotland, will award successful applicants a residency in The National Library of Scotland, professional mentoring, a creative retreat, a two-day creative writing conference and a showcase event in 2017. There will be places for seven young people in Scotland (including a spot for one person writing in Gaelic) who create prose, poetry, illustrated work, graphic novels, scripts, articles or blogs.

Scottish Book Trust launched What’s Your Story? last year as part of Time to Shine, Creative Scotland’s arts strategy for young people.

Nicole Brandon, young writers co-ordinator at Scottish Book Trust, said: “As we head into our second year of What’s Your Story?, we’re confident in our belief that teenagers are important contributors to Scotland’s literary scene right now and in the future. This programme is all about encouraging, supporting and celebrating teenage creators by helping them to connect with each other and to access professional support and opportunities that it is hard to get anywhere else.

“For 2017 we are searching for teens who care deeply about the potential benefits that creating literature has for them, and for their peers.”

Teenagers can apply via the programme’s website by 3rd January 2017.

What’s Your Story? is supported by Creative Scotland and the National Library of Scotland. The Gaelic-language place is funded by The Gaelic Books Council.