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Book Week Scotland - the sequel - Budding Authors Get Writing

6th May 2013

Photograph of Book Week Scotland - the sequel - Budding Authors Get Writing

Fiona Hyslop, Culture and External Affairs Secretary, announced the second Book Week Scotland will take place, 25th November to 1st December, and will encourage people to write stories about their treasured object.

Scotland will host a second national celebration of reading in 2013, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced today.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural Book Week Scotland, Scottish Book Trust will deliver a week-long nationwide focus on books, reading and writing from November 25 to December 1, 2013.

Ms Hyslop was at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, where she joined Scottish authors Denise Mina, Mairi Hedderwick and Richard Holloway to launch ‘Treasures’ – Scottish Book Trust’s national writing project encouraging people to submit stories or poems about their own treasured possessions. Entries will be posted online and a selection will be included in a free book to be distributed across the country during Book Week Scotland 2013.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, said:“Book Week Scotland 2012 captured the imagination of those of all ages and from all corners of Scotland. More than 20,000 people attended events, 150,000 received a free copy of our specially commissioned book, every Primary One child was given a selection of picture books and more than 30,000 pupils engaged with Book Week Scotland activities.

“All of this has supported the development of our nation’s important relationship with books and reading. Teachers have told us that Book Week Scotland had a positive impact on their pupils’ interest in reading and writing and that it was well supported in schools.

“It makes strong sense – both culturally and economically - to build on this with a second national celebration in 2013 that will once again highlight Scotland’s exceptional cultural, creative and literary talent, and will remind everyone of the unique pleasure that we can all gain from a good read.”

Marc Lambert, Chief Executive of Scottish Book Trust, said:“Book Week Scotland 2012 was an outstanding success. We are delighted that it is now set to become a major date in this year’s cultural calendar. Reading is a simple pleasure, but one with a huge capacity for personal enrichment and growth, and Book Week Scotland 2013 will be a celebration of all aspects of reading and writing, from entertainment to education. We can’t wait to start working with partners across Scotland to once again inspire the country to celebrate one of humankind’s greatest inventions.”

Aly Barr, Development Officer, Creative Scotland, said:"Book Week Scotland 2012 brought readers and writers together from Shetland to Castle Douglas. It encouraged people to drop everything and indulge in a good read for an hour. It sent book lovers off on a treasure hunt for exquisite sculptures in iconic locations. We’re looking forward to new adventures for 2013. We can’t wait for everyone to grab a good book and join us!”

Initiated by the Scottish Government and supported by £250,000 from Creative Scotland, Book Week Scotland will be delivered by Scottish Book Trust, the leading agency for the promotion of literature, reading and writing in Scotland, along with a Readers in Residence programme in libraries.

Scottish Book Trust will work with a range of partners across the nation to deliver a packed programme of free projects and events, bringing Scots of all ages and from all walks of life together to celebrate books and reading. A major programme of events will be held in libraries throughout Scotland, funded by The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC).

The Treasures campaign invites Scots to submit a piece of writing about the item they hold most dear, for inclusion in an online collection of stories. A selection of the best stories will be published in a book that will be gifted to thousands of people during Book Week Scotland 2013.

Full details of the Book Week Scotland 2013 programme will be announced later this year.

Scottish Book Trust is the leading agency for the promotion of literature, reading and writing in Scotland. It develops innovative projects to encourage adults and children to read and write, supports professional writers with a range of projects including skills development and awards, funds a variety of literature events and promotes Scottish writing to people worldwide.

Creative Scotland is the national development agency for the arts, screen and creative industries.

Entries can be submitted for inclusion in the Treasures online collection and possible inclusion in the Treasures anthology until 31st July 2013 at 5pm.

Photo by Rob McDougall

Web Sites
http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/bookweekscotland
http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/
http://www.creativescotland.com/