Published: 25 Oct 2018
Sasha de Buyl has been appointed as Manager of Scottish Books International. Dedicated to the international promotion of books, writers, festivals and organisations, Sasha will lead the new service, launched by Publishing Scotland and the Edinburgh International Book Festival, supported by Creative Scotland.
Mairi Kidd, Interim Head of Literature, Languages & Publishing, Creative Scotland, said: "This new role responds to the appetite within the literature sector for a strategic and co-ordinated approach to showcasing and championing Scotland’s writers, publishers and festivals overseas.
“Sasha brings huge experience in this area, having co-ordinated the literature strand of the Momentum international delegate programme, which brings together curators, funders, producers and programmers from all over the world to immerse themselves in Edinburgh’s unrivalled August Festivals season.
“Momentum demonstrates the huge appeal of Scottish literature internationally and the teams at Creative Scotland look forward to supporting Sasha to capitalise on this potential to the benefit of artists and organisations across the country.”
On her appointment as Scottish Books International Manager, Sasha de Buyl commented: “I’m thrilled to be taking on this role at Scottish Books International, and excited to act as Scottish writing’s keenest advocate. From our emergent voices to our established writers, Scotland’s writing has a depth and talent that has the potential to reach and connect with a large and diverse international audience.
“Our writers, publishers, literary organisations and festivals boast world leaders among their ranks, and this role will help us work together to achieve the strongest possible impact with our international programmes going forward.”
Representing a key recommendation from Creative Scotland’s Literature and Publishing Sector Review, the new service will commence on Monday 3 December 2018 as Sasha begins in role.
Her work will focus on the development of a strategic plan for international activity, identifying and progressing opportunities for increased visibility for writers, publishers, festivals and organisations; identifying potential income sources, and building relationships with key partners in Scotland and overseas.
Marion Sinclair, CEO of Publishing Scotland, said: “On behalf of the publishing sector I’d like to welcome Sasha to the new role. Her grasp of the books sector, enthusiasm, ideas, and drive will be great assets in taking Scottish Books International to the first phase of its life, serving writers, publishers, festivals and literary organisations, and providing a front for the promotion of Scottish books internationally.
“The team at Publishing Scotland are looking forward to working together with Sasha, the steering group, and the Edinburgh International Book Festival to take SBI to the next level.”
The role will be hosted at Publishing Scotland and Edinburgh International Book Festival but will be independent to the two organisations with a national remit for the international promotion of Scotland’s literature.
Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “Scotland has always enjoyed a strong international reputation for its literature but now is the time for a strategic, coordinated approach. Having spent several years building a formidable network of contacts, Sasha is perfectly placed to work with Publishing Scotland and the Book Festival to create a service that makes the most of existing links, and helps forge new strategic partnerships between Scottish literature and the world. Sasha’s appointment represents a significant boost for our ambition to get more Scottish writers on the international stage.”
Sasha’s in-depth knowledge and experience of literature and arts development, working with senior industry leaders and government bodies, has been developed through her work as Literature Officer for Creative Scotland, the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland, as well as roles at the Scottish Book Trust, The Audience Business, and StAnza International Poetry Festival. Sasha has also managed the literature strand of the annual Momentum delegate programme, an international hosting initiative delivered by Festivals Edinburgh, British Council and Creative Scotland.
Following a Review of the Literature and Publishing sector undertaken by consultants on behalf of Creative Scotland, which recommended that “Creative Scotland and leading literature institutions and publishers convene a summit for laying the groundwork for a strategic and coordinated international presence”, a number of bodies in the sector, working closely with Literature Alliance Scotland, have established a role dedicated to the international promotion of books, writers, festivals and organisations. Publishing Scotland and Edinburgh International Book Festival have brought together a steering group, which will advise and oversee the service. The role was advertised in June 2018 with a deadline 12 July 2018.
Publishing Scotland is the network, trade and development body for the book publishing sector in Scotland. A membership organisation, founded in 1974, PS consists of 60 publishers across Scotland and a network category of members including the Society of Authors, The Booksellers Association of Great Britain and Ireland, and the Scottish Library Information Council. They are a member of the Creative Industries Federation and Literature Alliance Scotland. Find out more: www.publishingscotland.org
The Edinburgh International Book Festival is one of the world’s largest public celebrations of the written word, providing a forum for democratic discussion and the exchange of ideas. For 17 days every August, it brings writers, poets, politicians, journalists, thinkers and decision makers from around the world to Edinburgh to discuss the things that shape our lives. 1000 authors from over 50 countries appear in a wide-ranging programme of over 900 events for adults and children of all ages. The Edinburgh International Book Festival also runs 3 large independent bookshops, which champion Scottish books and writing alongside international work. The Book Festival takes place in Charlotte Square Gardens, in the heart of historic Edinburgh, the world’s first UNSESCO City of Literature. The 2019 Book Festival will run from 10-26 August. The programme will be announced on 6 June. Find out more: www.edbookfest.co.uk
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery.
For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us on Twitter @creativescots, Facebook www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland and Instagram www.instagram.com/creativescots.
Creative Scotland
Sophie Bambrough, Media Relations + PR Officer. Tel: +44 (0) 7747 606 146 / Email: sophie.bambrough@creativescotland.com
Publishing Scotland
Marion Sinclair, Chief Executive. Tel: : +44 (0)131 228 6866 / Email: marion.sinclair@publishingscotland.org
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Amanda Barry, Head of Marketing & PR. Tel: +44 (0)131 718 5636 / Email: Amanda.Barry@edbookfest.co.uk
