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Scottish BAME Writers Network provides advocacy, literary events, and development opportunities for BAME writers based in or from Scotland. You can visit our website for more info, contact us through e-mail, or catch us on Twitter. We also have an online Facebook group for Black and POC writers.
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Open Call For Online Workshop and Blog Pitches
We're sending out this month's newsletter a bit early because (drumroll)...
We're excited to announce our open call for workshop and blog pitches for our October-December 2021 programming!
This is the last open call of the year (!) so we really want to read your amazing ideas about what you want to share, write, and bring to SBWN. If you have pitched before but your pitch has not been accepted, we invite you to pitch us again! Pitching is a great way to connect with us and let us know more about you and your work; even if your pitch isn't accepted, we may reach out to you regarding future projects, events and opportunities.
The closing date for pitches is 23 August 2021. Read on for more information and visit our site for full details.
Online Workshops
Do you have ideas about certain writing topics that you think people could benefit from?
Whether you've led writing workshops in the past or whether you're completely new to facilitating a workshop session, we want to hear from you! We are especially keen to hear from those aged under 26 and over 66.
Your pitch (300 words maximum) should include:
- A description of the writing topic you want to cover in your workshop;
- A simple outline of the possible workshop activities; and
- Why you are interested in this opportunity.
If your workshop is selected, you will be paid an artist fee of £175. If you're new to leading workshops, we'll provide you with a mentor to advise you on your plan and provide extra support during the workshop.
You can download our workshop pitching guidelines here: PDF / Word
How to apply
Apply using this Google Form by the closing date (23rd August 2021) if you are interested in leading a workshop between October and December 2021. Please only apply if you identify as a writer of colour based in Scotland (or normally based in Scotland outside of COVID-19). If for any reason you are unable to use the Google Form, send your pitch (300 words max) to ScotBAMEWriters@gmail.com
Blog Posts
We're looking for guest bloggers in order to maintain and develop a dynamic blog that reflects the experiences and thoughts of writers of colour in Scotland.
Writers are invited to pitch a blog post on any topic of their choosing. While all applicants must identify as writers of colour, there is absolutely no obligation to pitch ideas about race and diversity – although these topics are welcome! You can read previous posts here to get an idea of the range of topics we cover. We are especially keen to hear from those aged under 26 and over 66.
If you have been previously published on our blog, please wait 6 months since you were published before submitting to us again.
Please send us a brief pitch (100 words maximum) on what your blog post will be about. If you have links to previous work online, send those along too (up to 3 links)! Blog post writers will be provided with an editor, and will be paid an artist fee of £135 for a blog post of at least 700 words.
Additionally, if writers are willing, we would like to post an audio recording of your blog on our SoundCloud to make your blog more accessible. Alternately, if you would prefer, you can submit the blog as a video essay rather than a written piece. Your video would be uploaded to our YouTube page and also imbedded on our blog feed.
You can download our blog pitching guidelines here: PDF / Word
How to apply
Apply using this Google Form by the closing date (23rd August 2021) if you are interested in publishing a blog post between October and December 2021. Please only apply if you identify as a writer of colour based in Scotland (or normally based in Scotland outside of COVID-19). If for any reason you are unable to use the Google Form, send your pitch (100 words) to ScotBAMEWriters@gmail.com
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Our QTIPOC Writers Group returns next month on Thursday 2nd September, 7pm-8:30pm, facilitated by Myla Corvidae. Myla is a multi-disciplinary artist, writer and performer working and living in Scotland. They have worked extensively with Queer Heritage Forum, as well as having work recently published with 10:10 Press and Scottish BAME Network. Currently Myla is setting up UrbanGullsPress – a press dedicated to supporting minorities in publishing.
Register here for our QTIPOC Writers Group.
In each session, the group will discuss and creatively respond to a short piece of media produced by QTIPOC.
This group is a relaxed, supportive space where queer writers of colour can celebrate the work of other QTIPOC artists while using it to inspire their own creative practice.
We can't wait to see you there!
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Our feedback groups for writers are returning next month!
These are a great chance to come together with fellow writers to review and workshop each other’s writing. Each group is made up of 4 participants, allowing for in-depth exchange to help you get the most out of every session.
Groups are facilitated by SBWN’s Titilayo Farukuoye.
Please register your interest in taking part here by 1st September.
You can also get more details and learn about related events - including an editing workshop with Marjorie Lotfi Gill - over on our site!
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Our partnership with the National Theatre of Scotland continues as we bring you another exciting guest writer from the world of stage and radio!
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Scottish Black Writers Group is a new, free writers group and peer support and social space facilitated by our Co-Director Dean Atta and in association with the National Theatre of Scotland. It is a space to meet, chat, network and talk about the writing life - writers both published and unpublished are welcome to join us.
This is a monthly event open to writers across the UK and Ireland who are Black/from the African diaspora, including people of mixed heritage. Please be mindful while booking!
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In September we'll be joined by Ben Tagoe. In October 2020, Ben completed a 6-month Writers Room for WESTWORLD creator Jonathan Nolan’s Kilter Films. He is currently working on his second episode of the show, which is a Sci-Fi book adaptation for Amazon.
In 2019, Ben wrote an episode of the hit Sky comedy IN THE LONG RUN (Green Door Pictures), which stars Idris Elba and was broadcast as part of the second series on Sky 1(UK) and Starz (USA). His episode of STAN LEE'S LUCKY MAN (Carnival Productions/Sky Television) was broadcast in 2018.
In 2016, Ben joined the team on CBBC’s JAMIE JOHNSON. He wrote four episodes of the show across the second and third seasons. In 2017, his episode END GAME was submitted and subsequently shortlisted for the Children’s BAFTA awards, International Emmys and Royal Television Society awards.
Back in 2011, Ben was one of eight writers selected from over 500 established professional applicants for the BBC Writers Academy. He gained credits on BBC shows DOCTORS, EASTENDERS and CASUALTY as a result. In October 2014, Ben joined the writing team on ITV’s CORONATION STREET and wrote 32 scripts before leaving the show in August 2017.
Ben also has original projects in development with various production companies and broadcasters.
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Submission and Job Opportunities
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Here are some projects that have reached out to SBWN. Here you'll find places to submit work, as well as various events, like webinars, workshops and mentorships. This is not an exhaustive list. Apologies for what we miss!
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If you're a queer writer aged 18-30, The Creative Pandemic wants your short stories! Themes are Red: PoC passion and love; Fantasy: stories set in alternate realities; and Expression: stories that help us see past the gender binary. Learn more and submit here.
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The V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize is open for entries. Winner receives £1,000 and will have their story published in Prospect magazine and the RSL Review. (Caveat: There is a £7.50 fee for entries.) Details here.
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When Mountains Meet - a music, story and visual art production investigating contemporary Scottish/Pakistani identity through food, textiles and geography - invites you to share your unsent letters relating to food experiences. Letters will be shared as part of their Zoom event on 2 Sept, with guests food writer Sumayya Usmani and Scottish Asian theatremaker Sanjay Lago. Read more here.
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For young fowk aged 11–18: Scrieve a Scots story, poem, play, sang or mak a short video inspired by the Scots phrase 'lang may yer lum reek'. The winner will be named Young Scots Writer o the Year 2021. Read on here.
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27th August-30th September
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September is East and Southeast Asian Heritage Month! Besea.n and other arts organisations are hosting a month of online and live events to celebrate ESEA people, art, creativity, and representation in the UK. Find out more here.
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Tamasha Theatre is looking for emerging playwrights for their 2021/22 programme! This is a chance to receive professional mentoring and support and to see your work brought to life. Details here.
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Birds of Paradise Theatre Company is seeking young disabled artists and theatre practitioners of colour aged 16-30 to take part in Young Artists, their artistic development programme. Find out more here.
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The Poetry School is offering 2 full scholarships for their 3-term academic courses - 1 for a writer of colour and 1 for a writer with a disability (including Specific Learning Differences, Neurodiversities, and/or mental health conditions). Details here.
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New Writing Scotland seeks poetry & prose in English, Gaelic, and/or Scots on any subject and in any genre. Find out more and submit here.
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SBWN is collaborating with Floris Books to offer an exciting submission opportunity to children's writers! From now until the end of November, Floris Editorial Director Sally Polson is open to submissions directly from SBWN members - no agent required. Full details on our site.
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We here at SBWN are collaborating with HarperCollins to give fiction and nonfiction writers of colour an opportunity to have their work published! Together with Nancy Adimora, the Talent & Audience Development Manager at HarperCollins Publishers, we're looking for your submissions and pitches. Full details are here on our site.
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Creative Scotland's Open Fund is seeking funding applications from freelance or self-employed artists and creative practitioners. Funding amounts range from £500 to £100,000. Details here.
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Love science fiction? Shoreline of Infinity are looking for book reviewers who have a good knowledge of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Reviewers get a copy of the book (if a printed book is reviewed), a copy of the Shoreline of Infinity issue that their review is published in, and 10% off at their online shop. Apply to be a reviewer here.
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We're also on Instagram! If you aren't already, do consider following us on our Instagram platform here where we share the latest about our events, showcase our amazing network members and keep you in the loop. :)
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Scottish BAME Writers Network provides advocacy, literary events, and development opportunities for BAME writers based in or from Scotland. You can visit our website for more info, contact us through e-mail, or catch us on Twitter. We also have an online Facebook group for Black and POC writers.
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Since August, we have published some amazing blog posts ranging from themes such as lockdown and anxiety, travelling in the highlands, identity, food and home! Check out all of our blog posts here. You can click the images below to visit the most recent ones. Titles and authors are also in the alt text. |
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As part of our Networking Conference on the first weekend of November, Krishan Coupland shared his experiences on having a portfolio career in the arts, and what that entails!
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We've been lucky to host some wonderful events the last few months. Most recently, we held our Networking Conference (thank you for coming!), 'A Week's Worth of Joy' with Raheema Sayed as part of Book Week Scotland and the latest session of the Scottish Black Writers Group with Leila Aboulela.
Here are our upcoming events:
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As part of our Metaphors for a Black Future programme, this three-hour online masterclass provides writers of all levels with techniques that reveal the patterns, themes, and stories that shape their lives. Participants will practice writing with a beginner's mind, thought labeling to identify hidden ideas and beliefs, and storytelling as a creative path to healing. You will write, share, and discuss your work with classmates as you discover new pathways to your own inner wisdom. You will come away with writing exercises that deepen your self-awareness and expand your creative perspective.
Book here.
Open to Scotland-based writers, non-writers and artists who are Black/ from the African diaspora (including mixed heritage). Please be mindful when booking!
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Scottish Black Writers Group is a new, free writers group and peer support and social space facilitated by our Co-Director Dean Atta and in association with Scottish PEN.
In December we'll be joined by guest speaker Delia Jarrett-Macauley. Delia is the youngest daughter of a Sierra Leone family, is a writer, academic and arts consultant. Her books include the novel Moses, Citizen and Me, which won the 2005 Orwell Prize, and The Life of Una Marson 1905-65. She has made programmes for BBC radio, taught Women’s Studies and Literature at the universities of London and Kent, and is on the faculty of IES Abroad (London).
Book here.
This is a monthly event open to writers across the UK and Ireland who are Black/from the African diaspora, including people of mixed heritage. Please be mindful while booking!
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Here are some projects that have reached out to SBWN. Here you'll find places to submit work, as well as various events, like webinars, workshops and mentorships. This is not an exhaustive list. Apologies for what we miss!
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Creative Scotland is offering a development programme for literature chairs called Shaping the Narrative, which will recruit ten trainee chairs in Scotland, give online sessions and practical experience in the field. Apply here!
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Job opportunity: The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is looking for a highly organised, social media savvy, digitally creative communicator to join the Marketing Department as their Marketing and Digital Comms Officer. Details here.
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The IASH/Traverse Creative Fellowships consist of two writing fellowships: The first, for Digital; and the second, Playwriting. The stipend for each fellowship will be £10,000.
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St Andrews based-literary magazine The Scores has opened submissions for their special mini issue in Feb 2021. They're inviting entries in 'mini' form - poetry, flash fiction, micro lyric essay, prose poems & more. Find out more here.
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Cove Park is offering funded residency programmes in 2021 in three categories, including Literature & Translation. Residents receive a fee, private and self-catering accommodation, workspace and, if required, a studio. Jeda Lewis (residency alumni) is on the panel and has posted a Q&A in our Facebook group. She is open to an informal chat but won't be able to give feedback on your application.
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The Tom McGrath Trust is now inviting applications for a final round of The Maverick Award. They are offering 3 Awards, each up to £2,000, to the best applications for a new project, with writing at its heart, that departs from the routine and starts to explore new and imaginative possibilities. Find more here.
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Festivals Edinburgh is offering micro-grants of £800 each to 12 creative practitioners based in Scotland. The applications for Visual Art microgrants and Performing/ Multidisciplinary Arts microgrants are already open. Keep an eye out on this page for the Literature microgrants which will be announced in the coming few days.
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Entries for the Spread the Word Life Writing Prize 2021 for new writers is open for writers resident in the UK. Free to enter! Apply here.
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No date (on a rolling basis)
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Arkbound Foundation is looking for mentees to be part of their Creative Writing Mentoring Programme. They are looking for mentees whose voice is currently under/not represented in publishing. Mentorships last 6 months. They reached out to us to share with the network. Find out more here and also write to them at info@arkfound.org referring SBWN for more information.
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