Cash award for ‘promising’ authors
FIVE “promising” new authors from Glasgow have been given a cash award to complete their first novels.
The New Writers Awards give 10 Scottish writers £2000, mentoring from industry professionals, training in public relations, social media and performance, and the opportunity to showcase their work to publishers and agents.
This year’s award winners include; Duncan Stewart Muir, Fiona McKeracher, Eilidh McCabe, Mary Fitzpatrick and Rhona Warwick.
Eilidh said: “I can’t thank Scottish Book Trust enough for this incredible opportunity, which came at just the right time to boost flagging writing spirits. To have external recognition and support makes all the difference.”
The awards also include the offer of a week-long writing retreat at Moniack Mhor.
The judging panels reviewed more than 450 submissions which included fiction and narrative non-fiction, poetry and children’s/ young adult entries, before selecting the final 10.
The Gaelic Books Council provides two additional places on the programme which will support two New Gaelic Writers each year.
Former awardees include Graeme Macrae Burnet, who was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2016, and Ciara MacLaverty, Olga Wojtas, Juliette Forrest, Kirsty Logan, Malachy Tallack and Claire Askew, who have publications out this year.