Scottish Book Trust launches hunt for new authors
4th July 2011
Scottish Book Trust has begun the search for the country's next literary stars, launching a competition to find the best young writers in Scotland.
The Young Writers Awards 2011 will give three people aged between 14 and 17 the chance to win a support package to help launch their writing career, including a six-month mentoring period with a published teen writer and a visit to a top London publisher to meet industry professionals.
To enter the competition, aspiring authors and poets need to submit a 2,000-word poem, short story or extract of work and a 1,000-word personal statement explaining why they should be chosen to win the prize.
Caitrin Armstrong, writer development manager at Scottish Book Trust, said the awards offer the opportunity for three young writers to 'reach their full potential'.
'We still have so much raw talent out there waiting to be developed. This is a fantastic opportunity for budding writers to have their talent nurtured in a unique atmosphere of creativity and encouragement,' she added.
Amber Kennedy, who was one of the recipients of the award last year, said the experience was one of the best she has ever had as it gave her an excellent insight into how the publishing industry works.