Paisley Book Festival seek to appoint a part-time Writer in Residence to support the festival’s strategic aims around creative development, community engagement, and amplifying diverse voices. 

The residency will centre on Paisley as a lived environment, responding to the festival’s ethos and values, and will prioritise local storytelling, participation, and access to quality creative writing and / or literary engagement. 

The Writer in Residence will act as both: 

• A creative practitioner developing new work, and 

• A public-facing ambassador, engaging communities and contributing to the festival’s year-round presence. 

This residency is open to all forms of writing including, but not limited to, prose, poetry, playwriting, screenwriting, spoken work, writing for children, and genre writing. The only specific remit is that the writer is inspired and influenced by Paisley. Each Paisley Book Festival is curated with a theme, which is confirmed around 6 months ahead of the festival launch / announcements. The residency should take some inspiration from this theme when curating workshops, engagement activity and festival events.  

Please download the Writer in Residence info pack for more info and how to apply.

Timeframe: 10 months (August/September 2026 - May 2027) 

Fee: £14,520

(based on SAU Recommended Rates of Pay 2025-2026, 3+ Years' Experience 

£290.40 per day, part time, approximately 50 days) 

Deadline for submission: Monday 20 July 2026 at 12 noon

Internal contact: Louise Oliver

Submission Process

Please download the Writer in Residence info pack for more info and how to apply.

Submit this material to OneRen_arts@renfrewshire.gov.uk by Monday 20 July 2026 at 12 noon. Late applications will not be accepted.  

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend a short and informal interview process with slots being scheduled from w/c 17 and 24 August 2026. 

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the residency please contact:  OneRen_arts@renfrewshire.gov.uk