Scottish Book Trust has announced that the Next Chapter Award 2017, intended to support a talented yet unpublished writer over the age of 40, has opened for applications.
The Next Chapter Award supports an emerging writer for whom finding time and space to write has proved especially challenging. Developing a specific piece of work to publication standard will be the central aim of the award and applicants must demonstrate genuine potential for publication.
The writer will be offered nine months of mentoring arranged by Scottish Book Trust. Additionally, they will receive a two week retreat at Cove Park to focus on their writing and will also be offered a £1000 bursary. Gail Honeyman, recipient of the inaugural Next Chapter Award in 2014, recently signed a seven figure publishing deal with HarperCollins (UK) and Penguin Random House (US) to publish her debut novel, Eleanor Oliphant.
Commenting on the impact of the Next Chapter Award on her writing career, Gail said:
“I was delighted to be selected as the first recipient of the Next Chapter Award. I received lots of incredibly useful, practical support and advice throughout the year, for which I’m very grateful. It was a fantastic experience.”
Caitrin Armstrong, Head of Writer Development at Scottish Book Trust, said:
“Turning your attention to writing can be difficult enough at any age, but many writers over the age of 40 are also juggling family, caring and community responsibilities, not to mention careers. It makes it almost impossible for them to focus on their own practice. The Next Chapter Award is here to support a talented writer who has been waiting for a long time to sit down in a quiet place.”
The award is open to poets, novelists, authors of narrative non-fiction and children’s authors who are 40 years of age or above. The closing date is Wednesday 28 September at noon. Visit scottishbooktrust.com for more information.
