Five myths about the New Writers Awards

Each year, the New Writers Awards recognise the talent of a cohort of emerging writers in Scotland. We receive hundreds of applications, so what is the secret to bagging an award? Unfortunately, there is no secret formula, but we can dispel five common myths surrounding the New Writers Awards.

1. You need to have contacts in the industry or at Scottish Book Trust 

You don’t need to have industry or insider contacts to get a New Writers Award. We ask applicants to include a sample of their writing which is made anonymous before being read by our judging panel. Therefore, your writing sample is the first thing the panel will see, so make sure it showcases your work in the best way possible (find out more in our 5 tips for applying for a New Writers Award guide).

Having contacts within the industry won’t make your application suddenly leap to the top of the pile, however being connected to other writers can provide a great support network and potentially help introduce you to a wider professional network Joining (or forming) a writing group and attending book events can be a good place to start.

2. You have to be young to apply

You do have to be at least 18 to apply for a New Writers Award, but there is no upper age limit. 'New' doesn’t mean young, it simply refers to emerging, unpublished writers who are looking to boost their career. Previous awardees have spanned a wide range of ages and geographical locations. The Next Chapter Award, which this year has been incorporated into the New Writers Awards, is specifically designed to support an emerging writer over the age of 40.

3. You need to have a track record

A track record is helpful for indicating that you’re already committed to writing and are ready to take the next step in your creative and professional development. After all, we’re not looking for people who’ve rushed into the decision to be a writer. Previous awardees and most applicants will have some experience such as publication in journals or magazines and readings at spoken word events. But remember, there is no definitive path which will guarantee success and there will always be exceptions to the rule.

4. If I don’t get a New Writers Award, my writing must be terrible 

An unsuccessful application doesn't mean that your writing hasn't shown potential. Ultimately, we receive many, many more applications than we support which makes it a very difficult decision for our judges! It's also worth remembering that our judging panels change every year, so if you do reapply, your work will be seen by a different panel of experts.

If you are unsuccessful, use the time before the next year to develop your work and approach another application with new energy and experience to share. Many of our awardees had to apply several times before succeeding.

5. We’re only interested in literary fiction

The New Writers Awards are divided into five categories: Fiction and Narrative Non-Fiction, Poetry, Spoken Word, Children’s and Young Adult and Scots. We encourage writers of all genres to apply for an award, not just writers of literary fiction.

When we assemble a panel, we bring together professionals with a wealth of expertise, so they will be keen to read a variety of applications. Just remember that we cannot tell you which category you should apply for, you will have to decide where your writing sits best. 

We hope that you'll enjoy putting together your New Writers Awards application. We cannot guarantee success, but putting your work out there is an important step not to be underestimated, and we really appreciate every single writer who takes the time to apply.

Applications for the New Writers Awards are open until 31 July 2024 at noon – find out more and apply here.