Press release: Ten publishers and authors receive Scottish Government funding to boost Scots voices

Ten new books have been awarded funding by the Scots Language Publication Grant to help boost both authors and publishers who work in the Scots language.

Now in its sixth year, the Scots Language Publication Grant was created by the Scots Language Resource Network to support Scots publishers and writers. It is funded by Scottish Government and administered by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing.

This year’s awardees span the breadth of Scotland, with works that feature Shetland, Edinburgh and North-East dialects, and in a variety of mediums, from fiction to children’s books, to comic books and audiobooks. The list includes a new comic by Neil Slorance and Colin Maxwell, the reissue of the autobiography and poetry and song collection by acclaimed Scots writer Mary Brooksbank, Colin Bramwell’s translation of the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa into Scots, and an anthology of classics Scots poems and songs from some of Scotland’s best-known writers.

This year’s successful books are:

1. Horsepower by Aaron Gale, published by Doric Books CIC.
2. Sidlaw Breezes and No Sae Lang Syne by Mary Brooksbank, published by Mary Brooksbank Publication Collective.
3. Uncannie Investigashuns by Neil Slorance and Colin Maxwell, published by Maximized Comics.
4. Fower Pessoas by Fernando Pessoa and translated by Colin Bramwell, published by Carcanet.
5. Who's Aldo? Audiobook by Colin Burnett, published by Tippermuir Books.
6. Hirda da Oorick by Ann Marie Anderson, published by Peerie Oorick.
7. Classic Scots Poems and Sangs for Bairns, edited by Matthew Fitt & James Robertson, published by Black and White publishing.
8. The Tale o how Evan Evans Scrapped wi Evan Nichols by Jo Higgs and Tendencies by Richard Munro, published by Leamington Books.
9. The Alligrog by Mandy Sinclair & Kirsty Johnson, published by Wee Stoorie Press.
10. This Is What You Get by Ian McLachlan, published by Rymour.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘Well done to the writers and publishers who have been awarded this year’s Scots Language Publication Grant. It’s a vital piece of funding that allows the Scots language to grow and thrive.

‘Not only does the funding support new contemporary Scots voices, but also facilitates publishers in reviving collections and translations of significant historical works. We thank the Scottish Government for making these publications possible.’

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes said: ‘The Scottish Government’s Scots Language Publication Grant has supported a rich and vibrant selection of Scots works and my congratulations go to the successful awardees.

We are seeking to strengthen the future of the language through the Scottish Languages Bill. If enacted into law, this would recognise Scots as an official language of Scotland and introduce standards for teaching Scots in schools. A number of projects are in place to promote Scots in education, arts and public life supported by £540,000 of Scottish Government funding for Scots bodies over the current financial year.’

(this link will open in a new window)Download full blurbs and quotes for each book

Notes to editors

Please direct all media requests to Caroline Young, Marketing and PR Manager at Scottish Book Trust, at [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 and wellbeing. 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 X(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).

Scots Language Resource Network

The Scots Language Publication Grant is administrated by The Scots Language Resource Network, which meets twice a year to discuss the coordination and publication of new and existing resources (online and in print) that support speakers, readers, writers, teachers, learners and students of Scots. It currently includes representatives from: ASLS; Creative Scotland; Dictionaries of the Scottish Language; Education Scotland; Glasgow Women's Library; Hands up for Trad; Historic Environment Scotland; Literature Alliance Scotland; National Library of Scotland; Oor Vyce; Publishing Scotland; Scots Hoose; Scots Language Centre; Scots Language Society/Scots Leid Associe; Scots Radio; Scottish Book Trust; Scottish Government; Scottish Poetry Library; SQA; Ulster Scots Agency; University of Glasgow and Wigtown Book Festival.

Creative Scotland

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com(this link will open in a new window). Follow @CreativeScots on X(this link will open in a new window), the Creative Scotland Facebook page(this link will open in a new window) and @CreativeScots on Instagram(this link will open in a new window). Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at OurCreativeVoice.Scot(this link will open in a new window).