Rebels sought for 10th anniversary of writing campaign
Irvine Welsh is backing the Scottish Book Trust's rebellious campaign to get the nation writing!
Article Source: Scottish Book Trust
Last Updated: 28 March 2018 12:51
Image Credit: Alasdair Watson Photography
The national charity changing lives through reading and writing is encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds across the country to submit true stories on the theme of ‘Rebel’. All entries will appear on Scottish Book Trust’s website and a selection of the stories will be published in an e-book for Book Week Scotland (19-25 November 2018) – a week long, national celebration of books and reading.
This is the 10th anniversary of the writing campaign, which changes theme each year. The first campaign, with the theme ‘Days Like This’, was launched in 2008 and selected submissions were published in a collection in 2009, in partnership with BBC Radio Scotland.
The book gave people across Scotland the chance to be a part of the nation's history by writing a story about a special day in their life. The project gathered hundreds of extraordinary tales from ordinary people, along with more well-known writers including Scottish novelist Irvine Welsh who contributed a story to the first collection and is supporting the campaign again this year.
Since then, Scottish Book Trust has run a yearly public participation writing campaign. Around 5000 entries have been received over the years, and several participants have gone on to become published authors or recipients of a Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award. Notable writers who have submitted to previous writing campaigns very early in their writing careers include Catherine Simpson, Anneliese Mackintosh and Billy Letford.
The Rebel writing campaign is open for submissions from 28 March to 6 June and during that time Scottish Book Trust is encouraging the people of Scotland to reveal their rebellious tales. It doesn’t matter if it’s skiving school in the glory days of your youth, taking a stand against the establishment or pinching the last biscuit from the tin, Scottish Book Trust wants to know what Rebel means to you.
Irvine Welsh, best known for his era-defining book, Trainspotting, has written 12 novels and 4 books of shorter fiction. He is encouraging the public to take part and send in a rebel story, whatever their level or lack of experience.
Irvine Welsh said: “In an uncertain and obtuse age, the only currency you can have is education and knowledge. It is incumbent on everyone to read and educate themselves. This is how we realise ourselves. It's why we read and it's why we write - to share our stories and culture with others.”
Writers of all ages and experiences are welcome to submit their work, in any form – story, poem, comic strip, play or letter – of up to 1,000 words, in English, Gaelic or Scots.
Well-known writers such as Sara Sheridan, Wayne Price, Jayne Baldwin and Renita Boyle will divulge their rebellious sides with their own stories during the open call for entries. For those seeking inspiration, Scottish Book Trust will hold Rebel writing workshops run by the above writers. The workshops will take place during April and May in Aberdeen, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee, Edinburgh, Elgin, Galashiels, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth, Shetland, South Lanarkshire and Stirling.
For those who can’t attend a workshop in person, Sara Sheridan will host a free, online workshop that can be accessed via Scottish Book Trust’s Facebook page. The workshop will be live on Saturday, 21 April from 12.30 to1.30pm and will also be available to watch on demand on Scottish Book Trust’s YouTube channel at a later date.
The project is being run in partnership with the Gaelic Books Council. Two Gaelic writers – poet Anna Frater and poet, journalist and novelist David Eyre – will be submitting rebellious pieces of their own. Anna Stewart, a Scottish Book Trust New Writer Awardee, has also been commissioned to write a rebel piece in Scots.
Submissions can be made online or via post to: Rebel, Scottish Book Trust, Sandeman House, Trunk’s Close, 55 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR.
The closing date for entries is midnight on Wednesday 6 June 2018. Submissions for Rebel schools writing campaign, for all primary and secondary schools in Scotland, will be open from Tuesday 1 May to Friday 5 October.
Sponsored Links
Latest Stirling News
Aberg, Fleetwood and Hovland set to star in Genesis Scottish Open
European Ryder Cup stars Ludvig Åberg, Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland are set to reunite at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open.
READ MORE
The Stirling 900th anniversary celebrations start in style
Stirling’s 900th anniversary celebrations got underway in style in the spring sunshine last Friday (26 April) as partners came together to launch an exciting year-long programme of events.
READ MORE
Charity celebrates five years of school active travel hubs
Environmental charity FEL Scotland is celebrating five years of its school-based active travel hubs, marking a significant milestone for the innovative education programme.
READ MORE
New Charity Hub is Catalyst for Collective Climate Action
Environmental charity FEL Scotland is leading the charge against climate change with the launch of Forth Valley & the National Park Climate Action Hub.
READ MORE
Thomas Graham Library in Strathblane holds First Art Exhibition
The Thomas Graham Library in Strathblane, which opened last year, is to have its first Art Exhibition on 11th and 12th May.
READ MORE
Make Time for a Cuppa to help support families with dementia
Dementia specialist nursing charity, Dementia UK, is running its 14th annual 'Time for a Cuppa Fundraiser' to raise vital funds for the leading cause of death in the UK.
READ MORE
Discover the magic of trees with Dobbies
Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting children aged four to 10 to a free workshop in May to learn more about trees and how to protect them.
READ MORE
Sign up for 2 free tickets to the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
It's just days until the opening of the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, which is back SEC, Glasgow on 11-12 May 2024.
READ MORE
More than 14,100 Kiltwalk heroes step up to achieve record breaking Glasgow event
Glasgow to Loch Lomond was a sea of tartan today as the world's biggest ever Kiltwalk took place, with fundraising already exceeding £2.5m.
READ MORE
Special artwork unveiled to celebrate the launch of Stirling 900
A brand new artwork that celebrates Stirling’s people and its history will be officially unveiled in the city centre today for the launch of Stirling’s 900th anniversary celebrations.
READ MORE
Van Gogh experience announces Scottish premiere dates
A spectacular multimedia show celebrating Vincent van Gogh's life and stunning artworks is coming to Glasgow this summer!
READ MORE
A Big Map for the Big Yin! Interactive map launched to celebrate Billy Connolly
National Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories.
READ MORE
Cast announced for Scottish tour of Hen Night Horror
Touring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!
READ MORE
The Best Home Bar competition from Aldi Scotland returns for 2024
Aldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!
READ MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns for a delicious double helping
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MORE
Nationwide campaign encourages adults in Scotland to take the plunge
With a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.
READ MORE
Stirling Highland Games and Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum joined forces to mark significant milestone
Stirling Highland Games and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Forge Historic Partnership to Commemorate Stirling's 900th Anniversary.
READ MORE
Cornton Street Party Celebration to mark Changing Seasons
Stirling’s Remembering Together project is set to host a celebration of community, creativity and the changing seasons on Thursday 2nd May in the heart of Cornton.
READ MORE
Top tips for visiting the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
Now in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MORE
Lights, camera, action, Delight as Stirling Studios announced
Stirling Council is thrilled to announce the creation of Stirling Studios, which will be among the biggest film studio campuses in Scotland.
READ MORE
Family Fun as BRICKLIVE Ocean arrives in Stirling
Families have been following a fascinating trail featuring life-size brick models of sea creatures around Stirling at the BRICKLIVE Ocean tour which runs until Sunday April 21st.
READ MORE
New Finds at Culloden Battlefield shed more light on intensity of battle
Latest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MORE
Kevin McKenzie Named Honorary Chieftain of the 2024 Stirling Highland Game
The Stirling Highland Games Committee is thrilled to announce that former Scotland International hooker Kevin McKenzie has been appointed as the Honorary Chieftain for the 2024 Games.
READ MORE
Teenager up for Song of the Year at The John Lennon Songwriter Contest
17 year old Brodie Brown from Stirling goes head-to-head for ‘Song of the Year’ at The John Lennon Songwriter Awards despite life-long physical and mental health battles.
READ MORE
Scottish Game Fair returns for its 35th year
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres unveils Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience
Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MORE
POSTPONED: Springfest at Loch Lomond Shores
This year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MORE
Historic sites across Scotland get ready to reopen their doors
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MORE
Diabetes Scotland will host a virtual event for young people 11 to 25 living with type 1 diabetes
Join Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORE
Iconic Noughties stars make cheeky comeback to launch limited edition IRN BRU flavours
Noughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links