Open Book is looking for a Lead Reader to support its creative writing programme in Paisley, running monthly sessions for the local community at the Paisley Central Library. As these sessions take place in person in Paisley, applicants living in that area are preferred. 

About Open Book

Since March 2013 Open Book (openbookreading.com) has run shared reading and creative writing sessions for adults. In the year running from April 2025 – March 2026 we’ll have delivered over 1,000 sessions in around 75 locations – from Shetland to Stranraer, and in places like Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee and in the Central Belt. We work in a number of sectors, including libraries, health care settings, with the elderly, refugees and migrants, community groups, and in prisons, libraries and other public settings. Stories and poems are read aloud then discussed in a relaxed, informal setting, with about one-third of the groups adding in an element of creative writing. 

Shared Reading + Creative Writing

Open Book is looking for a Creative Writing Lead Reader to deliver 10 shared reading + creative writing sessions at Paisley Central Library across a 12 month period, between April 2026 – March 2027. The Lead Reader will be joining a community of approximately 75 Open Book Lead Readers, who lead groups all over Scotland and online.

Applicant Requirements

The successful applicant will:

• be a published author with a publication record commensurate with authors on Scottish Book Trust’s Author Database;
• have previous experience of workshop delivery;
• be asked to join the PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme) and provide two references (Open Book will meet the costs of PVG membership and process the application on behalf of the Lead Reader); and
• be available to attend an online, paid training session in April and to deliver 10 monthly workshops from that point onwards.

Role

The successful candidate will be contracted to deliver 10 x 2hr shared reading + creative writing workshops in the Open Book model in Paisley across a 12 month period. The fee in respect of each workshop (including preparation, delivery and post session feedback) is £220. Up to 5 training hours – including compulsory training in the Open Book delivery model – will be funded across the year at £30 per hour. No travel costs will be provided.

Lead Readers are also asked to support their groups to attend a literary event during the course of the project year. This can be attendance at an online or an in-person festival event local to their group. An additional fee of up to £120 will be available to Lead Readers for helping to organise and attending this visit. 

Application Process

• Preference will be given to applicants living and/or working in or near Paisley.
• Please submit a CV including details of publications, experience in community workshop facilitation and any other experience you feel is relevant, to admin@openbookreading.com by 12pm on Wednesday 1st April 2026.

Please direct any questions relating to the application to admin@openbookreading.com