CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

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.

Booker Prize winner joins call for Your Stories

Article Source: Scottish Book Trust
Last 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.

Sponsored Links

One Ren
Link
Renfrewshire Council
Paisley First
Open Pass Scotland
Hilton Glasgow

Latest East Renfrewshire News

Dinosaur Day at Dobbies

Dinosaur Day at Dobbies

Children attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!

READ MORE
Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

PubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.

READ MORE
Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.

READ MORE
Scone Palace International Horse Trials

Scone Palace International Horse Trials

The inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.

READ MORE
Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.

READ MORE
BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.

READ MORE
SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.

READ MORE
Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.

READ MORE
FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

Summerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!

READ MORE
Flag raised to commemorate Armed Forces Day in East Renfrewshire

Flag raised to commemorate Armed Forces Day in East Renfrewshire

East Renfrewshire Council raised the Armed Forces Day flag today to mark Armed Forces Day which will be held on Saturday 28th June.

READ MORE
Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show

Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show

The biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!

READ MORE
July events at Dobbies Garden Centres

July events at Dobbies Garden Centres

Check out July at Dobbies with it's Little Seedlings Club on rainforests and Grow How on pest control and healthy gardens!

READ MORE
Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition

Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition

Historic Environment Scotland is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to boost their wellbeing as a part of a national campaign, Historic Places, Breathing Spaces.

READ MORE
Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 adds two new categories and voting deadline extended!

Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 adds two new categories and voting deadline extended!

Scotland's hospitality industry and customers have spoken, and the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 has listened!

READ MORE
Busby pub celebrates triple award success

Busby pub celebrates triple award success

A Busby pub is one of six locals to have been selected from 2,400 around the UK to receive a prestigious Recognition Award from Heineken-owned Star Pubs.

READ MORE
Just Announced: Stars Set for the Stage at Eastwood Park Theatre

Just Announced: Stars Set for the Stage at Eastwood Park Theatre

Eastwood Park Theatre has announced a whole host of brand-new shows featuring well-known faces.

READ MORE
25th year of Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway

25th year of Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway

Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway today, kick-starting nine days of dance performances, film screenings, visual art and photography exhibitions and community events across the country.

READ MORE
Exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland

Exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland

Tickets are on sale for an exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland, with fans in for an extra special treat to take home.

READ MORE
Acclaimed debut Only Here, Only Now from Tom Newlands chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month in Scotland

Acclaimed debut Only Here, Only Now from Tom Newlands chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month in Scotland

The paperback edition of Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands has just been released - and is already making waves.

READ MORE
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure launches search for sports supporting superstars

East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure launches search for sports supporting superstars

East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure has launched a search for local sports supporters in the community to recognise at its annual Sport and Physical Activity Awards.

READ MORE
Funding Boost for Charities at Scottish Building Society AGM

Funding Boost for Charities at Scottish Building Society AGM

Scottish Building Society marked its Annual General Meeting (AGM) by announcing funding to support eight local charities and good causes across the country.

READ MORE
Classic car enthusiasts set to visit Loch Lomond Shores

Classic car enthusiasts set to visit Loch Lomond Shores

Visitors are invited to come along and get up-close to some amazing cars, set against the beautiful backdrop of Loch Lomond, as part of a great day out.

READ MORE
Paws, play and heritage on parade

Paws, play and heritage on parade

Bark by popular demand, the Gordon Setter Parade returns on Saturday 5th July as part of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair, held at the stunning Scone Palace.

READ MORE
Dobbies hosts brand new Fairy Garden Tea Party

Dobbies hosts brand new Fairy Garden Tea Party

Dobbies Garden Centres are inviting families across the UK along to its stores on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of June to spend a magical afternoon filled with fun activities and good food.

READ MORE
How to train your Dad in 4DX Cineworld enlists Gerard Butler

How to train your Dad in 4DX Cineworld enlists Gerard Butler

Cineworld is launching a brand new 4DX Father's Day gift experience, containing two 4DX tickets and ponchos, perfect for experiencing the new live-action "How to Train Your Dragon" film.

READ MORE
Summer of Roses: Free gardening workshop at Dobbies

Summer of Roses: Free gardening workshop at Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Rose-themed Grow How workshop this June, sharing top tips for caring for this beloved flowering plant.

READ MORE
Cheers to 30 years: Scottish Bar and Pub Awards celebrate with public voting now open

Cheers to 30 years: Scottish Bar and Pub Awards celebrate with public voting now open

Scotland's longest-running hospitality awards turn 30 - and they want you to have your say!

READ MORE
Loch Lomond Unplugged is coming this weekend!

Loch Lomond Unplugged is coming this weekend!

Loch Lomond Unplugged, our FREE showcase of talented buskers and singer/songwriters, is this weekend and we’re super excited to welcome great acts from across Scotland and beyond!

READ MORE
Veterans celebrate Health for Heroes Award at VE Day event

Veterans celebrate Health for Heroes Award at VE Day event

East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure invited veterans for afternoon tea at Barrhead Foundry to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

READ MORE
Dig into summer fun at Dobbies

Dig into summer fun at Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting children to come along to its free-to-attend Little Seedlings Club, taking place across the country this June.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

The Quay
East Renfrewshire Culture
Media Shop
Glasgow Science Centre
ATG
Hostelworld
Go Radio

Sponsored Links

One Ren
Link
Renfrewshire Council
Paisley First
Open Pass Scotland
Hilton Glasgow
The Quay
East Renfrewshire Culture
Media Shop
Glasgow Science Centre
ATG
Hostelworld
Go Radio

Popular Events

RMC Academy Gala Day
Expect performances from past and present Academy Members, vocal workshops, food, kids activities, games, prizes, raffles and more at RMC Music Academy's Gala Day on Saturday 26th July!
Barrhead’s Big Bounce
On Saturday 19th July, join the All About Barrhead team at Centenary Park for a full day of inflatable fun at Barrhead's Big Bounce!
Live Cinema Screening: Royal Ballet and Opera - Tosca
The splendour of Rome. The devastation of war. Puccini's operatic thriller returns in an epic new production. Don't miss it at Eastwood Park Theatre on Wednesday 1st October!
Going Underground: Giffnock and Clarkston
Local historian Dr. Stuart Nisbet has spent decades digging into the history of the ground beneath our feet, and this illustrated talk distils his experience gained over many years of walks and talks.
Giffnock Theatre Players: Whisky Galore
You'll find the laughter flows as freely as the whisky when Giffnock Theatre Players return to Eastwood Park Theatre with much loved Scottish Comedy Whisky Galore!

Popular Listings

Eastwood Park Theatre Rouken Glen Park East Renfrewshire HSCP Walking Groups Greenbank House and Garden Dams to Darnley Country Park Whitelee Windfarm Visitor Centre