Press release: Book Week Scotland launches 2022 programme

This year's Book Week Scotland(this link will open in a new window) programme has been announced today (26 October), with a line-up themed around 'Scotland's Stories', as part of Scotland's Year of Stories 2022. Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, has worked closely with writers and partners to put together an exciting week packed full of online and in-person events and activities, taking place 14–20 November.

Book Week Scotland is the country's biggest celebration of books and reading and this year the public are invited to vote on their favourite animal from fiction – voting is now open, and a national winner will be revealed during the week!

Events throughout the week include an evening with Sally Magnusson sharing stories from four vibrant Scottish communities, and Book Shriek Scotland – a celebration of Scotland's folklore presented by Kirsty Logan and Heather Parry, featuring storytellers and writers including Garth Marenghi. Scottish Book Trust will also be asking people to share what they're reading during the week on a Reading Map of Scotland.

A new book, Scotland's Stories, has been published by Scottish Book Trust, featuring true stories from people across Scotland as well as exclusive contributions from published writers Angus Peter Campbell, Raman Mundair, Graeme Armstrong and Helen Fields. 70,000 copies of the book will be given out for free during Book Week Scotland through libraries and community spaces, and it will also be available to read online and as an audiobook.

From icons of literature to local tales, Scotland's Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present.

Book Week Scotland programme highlights:

Scotland's Stories: Tales from the People of Scotland with Sally Magnusson – Monday 14 November, 7pm at Glasgow Film Theatre.

Join Sally Magnusson to celebrate the real-life stories told by people from four vibrant communities across Scotland. The wonderful pieces in this event have been generously shared by people from the Garnock Valley, Port Glasgow and Greenock, Lochgelly and the South Islands of the Western Isles. Each story was shared by a member of the public as part of Community Campfires, supported by Scotland's Year of Stories 2022. Reserve your ticket(this link will open in a new window) on Eventbrite.

Book Shriek Scotland

A celebration of Scotland's spooky folklore –and some from further afield. This is an online event premiering on Monday 14 November, in which award-winning authors Heather Parry and Kirsty Logan present an anthology of folk tales told by storytellers and writers, including Garth Marenghi, Amanda Thomson, Ailsa Dixon, John Lees and Anna Cheung. We'll be inviting people to send us folk tales from their hometowns on social media after the event.

Tales Fae Fife: a writing workshop with James Oswald – Tuesday 15 November, 6.30–8.30pm at 58 Bonnygate in Cupar.

Join Fife author James Oswald, author of the Inspector McLean, The Ballad of Sir Benfro and the Constance Fairchild series, for an exciting event that will include a mini writing workshop. Find out more and reserve your ticket(this link will open in a new window) on Eventbrite.

The full Book Week Scotland 2022 programme(this link will open in a new window) is now live.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said:

'Book Week Scotland is a special time of year, where people across Scotland can come together to celebrate and experience the magic of books and reading. The 2022 programme features a mix of fun, spooky, inspiring and unusual events and activities. This year's Book Week Scotland forms part of Scotland's Year of Stories 2022, celebrating Scotland's rich culture of telling stories. We hope you'll be able to join in with a Book Week Scotland event in your community, or one of the many ways to take part online.'

Sally Magnusson, broadcaster and writer, said:

'I am delighted to be hosting 'Scotland's Stories: Tales from the People of Scotland' during Book Week Scotland because this special event celebrates the stories that remind us who we are, that connect us to our families and our communities and that enable us to share the challenges and the joys of life with one another. Showcasing the extraordinary stories from ordinary people at the Glasgow Film Theatre is a great way to round off Scotland's Year of Stories 2022.'

Alan Bett, Head of Literature and Publishing at Creative Scotland, said:

'Book Week Scotland is upon us with an imaginative and inspiring programme to excite, intrigue and surprise.

'This high-profile national focus on literature brings readers together to engage with stories and meet their favourite authors.

'In particular this year's connection with the Year of Stories allows our folklore and rich heritage to be viewed and enjoyed through contemporary voices.'

Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive of the Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC), said:

'Book Week Scotland is a terrific opportunity to celebrate everything that is great about books, reading and bringing together people, families, and communities to explore and revel in the power of words and shared stories. Libraries across Scotland have great programmes lined up during Book Week Scotland.

'Research shows that reading for just six minutes a day can reduce stress levels by up to 68 per cent in people of all ages, and with our libraries across Scotland filled with an abundance of free reading materials – whatever your interests and ability – we hope people will take the opportunity to use Book Week Scotland to start or get back to enjoying books and at the same time rediscover the enchanting world of the many brilliant libraries right on their doorstep.'

Neil Gray MSP, Minister for Culture, said:

'Book Week Scotland's theme around Scotland's Year of Stories continues our celebration of innovative and ground-breaking forms of storytelling. This has been a bumper year for new and untold stories from people in communities across Scotland.

'There has never been a better time to enjoy a good story and this week's events will also highlight the wealth of emerging and forward-looking writing and storytelling talent we have on our doorsteps.'

Notes to Editors

Please direct all media requests to Abi Baross, Marketing and PR Manager: [email protected](this link will open in a new window).

Scottish Book Trust

Scottish Book Trust is a national charity that believes everyone living in Scotland should have equal access to books. Our work provides opportunities to improve life chances through books and the fundamental skills of reading and writing. Access to books and a love of books bring many important benefits from family bonding and advancing children's learning, to unlocking creativity, helping employability and improving mental health & well-being. Scottish Book Trust aims to support all communities across Scotland, with particular focus on those who are vulnerable and under-represented.

Our programmes and outreach work include:

• Gifting books to every child in Scotland to ensure families of all backgrounds can share the joy of books at home, through Bookbug and Read Write Count
• Working with teachers to inspire children to develop a love of reading, creating innovative classroom activities, book awards and author events such as Authors Live with the BBC and our Scottish Friendly Children's Book Tour
• Supporting and nurturing Scotland's wide-ranging literary talent, both emerging and established through our training, awards and writing opportunities including New Writers Awards
• Creating events to share books and connect writers with communities, including Book Week Scotland
• Providing support to people living with dementia and their carers through Reading is Caring

In addition to the funding we receive from the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland, we need the constant support of trusts and foundations, corporate sponsors and individual donors.

Find us online at scottishbooktrust.com(this link will open in a new window). Follow @scottishbktrust on Twitter(this link will open in a new window), @scottishbooktrust on Instagram(this link will open in a new window) or like Scottish Book Trust's Facebook page(this link will open in a new window).

Book Week Scotland

Initiated by Scottish Government and supported by funds from the National Lottery through Creative Scotland Targeted Funding and SLIC, Book Week Scotland 2022 will be delivered by Scottish Book Trust from 14–20 November. This year's Book Week Scotland has also been supported by Scotland's Year of Stories 2022.

For more information about Book Week Scotland 2022 and how you can get involved, visit bookweekscotland.com(this link will open in a new window) where you can find information about all the events taking place in your local area. Follow @BookWeekScot(this link will open in a new window) and #BookWeekScotland(this link will open in a new window) on Twitter, or like the Book Week Scotland Facebook page(this link will open in a new window).

Creative Scotland

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery.

Follow Creative Scotland: twitter.com/CreativeScots(this link will open in a new window) facebook.com/CreativeScotland(this link will open in a new window) instagram.com/creativescots(this link will open in a new window)

Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC)

The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) is the independent advisory to the Scottish Government on library and information related matters. It offers leadership focus and support to libraries and information services countrywide, leading development, promoting innovation and monitoring standards.

SLIC administers Scottish Government funding for public libraries (Public Library Improvement Fund), for school libraries (School Libraries Improvement Fund) and funding for the wider library and information sector (Innovation and Development Fund). It supports public libraries to participate in Book Week Scotland by providing Scottish Book Trust with event funding for every public library service and Further Education College Libraries.

To find out more about SLIC, visit ScottishLibraries.org(this link will open in a new window).

Scotland's Year of Stories 2022

• Scotland's Year of Stories 2022 will spotlight, celebrate and promote the wealth of stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland.
• Led by VisitScotland, the Year of Stories 2022 will sustain and build upon the momentum of preceding Themed Years, showcasing a nationwide programme of major events and community celebrations.
• From icons of literature to local tales, Scotland's Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present.
• Scotland's Year of Stories will encourage responsible engagement and inclusive participation from the people of Scotland and our visitors.
• Join the conversation using #YS2022 and #TalesOfScotland.
• Following an industry consultation, Themed Years will take place every second year to enable more time for planning and collaboration. The next Themed Year will take place in 2024.