Shaping the Narrative: a development program for literature chairs

Please note applications are now closed.

Watch our video as Jenny Niven introduces Shaping the Narrative, a development program for literature chairs.

About the program

As Jenny highlights in the video introduction, the role of chair is incredibly important, and can have a significant impact on a festival or literature event.

Shaping the Narrative aims to develop the practice of a group of chairs for Scottish literature events and increase the quality of live engagement with the work of Scottish writers. It also seeks to increase diversity in the pool of skilled event chairs.

If accepted onto the program, you'll attend eight online sessions with experienced mentors from January to March, covering topics such as the role of the chair, literary criticism and accessibility. Following core training, trainees will then be matched with a book festival from across Scotland.

Who should apply

This pilot program will look to recruit around 10 trainee chairs who are passionate and knowledgeable about literature, and are able to demonstrate a degree of engagement with the professional literature sector in some capacity.

How to apply

Applications closed on Friday 27 November 2020.

Shaping the Narrative Guidance

Download the Guidance Notes for Shaping the Narrative, a development program for literature chairs, in PDF format.