Scottish Book Trust has unveiled the recipients of the New Writers Awards for 2011. There were over 230 applicants and the eight lucky winners are Erika Anderson, Claire Askew, Helen Godfrey, Pippa Golschmidt, Katy McAulay, Andrew Sclater, Helen Sedgwick and Richard Strachan.

Each recipient will receive a cash award of £2,000 and a bespoke professional development package, which can include nine months working with a mentor and networking opportunities with publishers and literary agents.

The New Writers Awards are managed by Scottish Book Trust in association with Creative Scotland. Applications are open to Scotland-based writers who have not published a novel, short story or poetry collection and have a strong commitment to developing a career in writing.

Confirmed 2012 publications by previous New Writers include Furnace by Wayne Price (Freight Books); Bevel by William Letford (Carcanet) and The Daemon Parallel by Roy Gill (Floris Books)

Roy Gill was accepted on to the awards to work on a novel for young adults in 2009. He was paired with mentor Lindsey Fraser, an agent from Fraser Ross Associates. Roy was shortlisted for the Kelpie Prize and his first novel The Daemon Parallel will be published by Floris Books on March 22nd 2012. Roy said of his experience:

“They listened to my problems; found me a mentor who clearly liked my writing, and understood the genre I was working in; and checked in every so often to make sure things were going well. It’s been an invaluable experience, that’s left me a stronger, more confident writer.”

Scottish Book Trust New Writers can also be found in the programmes of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, Aye Write, Stanza, Margins Book and Music Festival, and Words per Minute, amongst others.

Caitrin Armstrong, Writer Development Manager at Scottish Book Trust said:

“There may be some uncertainty about the future of books, but this definitely has not affected the quality of writing we see coming through the New Writers Awards. We are proud to be able to support the writers of the future by providing time, money, support and opportunities for unpublished writers to develop and showcase their talent. With four books by previous New Writers due out in 2012, we are excited about their prospects for the future.”

Scottish Book Trust is also currently working with the Gaelic Book Council on a project which will support two New Gaelic Writers each year. The two Gaelic Writers selected for support in 2011 are Seonaidh Charity and Cairistìona Stone.

Source: Scottish Book Trust