Literature Alliance Scotland (LAS) is a membership network bringing together publishers, librarians, literature organisations and national cultural bodies. We aim to offer a strong voice for the Scottish literature sector, undertaking advocacy and development programmes including direct support for writers and other practitioners. We understand that writers are at the heart of the literature ecology.

We are excited to be able to offer direct support to five established writers currently resident in Scotland.

We have funds to award 5 X £3,000 bursaries for work-in-progress.

In this pilot programme we will trial a random lottery selection process. Through the pilot we hope to learn more about how random lottery selection processes can work to reduce gatekeeping or perceptions of unfairness in the literature sector in Scotland, and to better understand levels of demand for this type of support.

Please help us connect writers from across Scotland with this opportunity by sharing details with your networks.

Eligibility criteria

To meet our eligibility criteria for these bursaries you must be:

• Aged 18+
• Currently resident in Scotland
• Not in higher/further education
• Have published at least one full-length work with a UK publisher in the same genre/market category as your work-in-progress
• Have a work-in-progress underway

Your work-in-progress must be:

• A novel, graphic novel, full-length work of non-fiction, short-story collection or poetry collection, for adults or children (pamphlets, chapbooks and picture books are not eligible).
• Intended for publication into the trade — i.e. for a broad readership (not academic, not educational or other specialist) and distributed primarily through bookstores, online retailers and libraries.
• Intended for publication with a UK publisher (not self-published).
• Written primarily in English and/or Scots.
• Either under contract with a UK publisher with an advance against royalties of no less than £1,000 and no more than £15,000 OR not under contract, but you have previously received an advance at this level from a UK publisher for a comparable work.

* Please note, you are not eligible to apply if you have already received support from Creative Scotland for this work-in-progress.

Making an application

Our online application form intends to be as short and simple as possible.

Section 1 asks you to confirm your eligibility against the criteria, and briefly describe your work-in-progress (200 words/1400 characters max).

Section 2 asks you some equality monitoring questions – if you prefer not to provide this you can select ‘prefer not to say’ for any question and this will not impact your application.

If you need additional support with your application, please email admin@literaturealliancescotland.co.uk and allow 5-7 working days for a response.