Publishing Scotland, the trade and network body for the book publishing sector, is delighted to unveil a look at their 2022 annual programme, tying in with Visit Scotland’s ‘Year of Stories’ national campaign, in an expansive twelve month run of events, online content, and more in celebration of the country’s publishing landscape.
Visit Scotland, the country’s national tourist board, runs themed years to celebrate the very best of Scotland and its people. The Year of Stories looks to spotlight, celebrate and promote the wealth of stories inspired by, written or created in Scotland, encouraging locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events, and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present.
As the Year of Stories naturally offers significant spotlight and opportunity for books and authors, Publishing Scotland’s complementary programme, which is subtitled ‘Shaping Scotland’s Stories’, will build upon its annual offerings for the trade to pursue new and innovative ways to showcase publishers and the work they do in bringing these stories to life to the wider public, alongside spotlighting the breadth of talent in Scotland’s literature sector.
Strands will include partnering with book festivals across the country in sponsored events, many of which will offer a ‘behind the scenes’ element of publishing, such as pairing editors and authors to discuss their process. Events include Paisley Book Festival featuring Mick Kitson and Anne Pia and their respective editors, Aberdeen’s crime festival Granite Noir with Leela Soma and Ewan Gault, StAnza poetry festival, and many more to be announced in due course.
Publishing Scotland’s annual film – the last two of which have focused on nature publishing and crime writing respectively – will turn its focus to the history and talent of Scotland’s children’s publishing sector. Alongside a brand new website for the organisation, launching in the new year, Publishing Scotland will host year-round Year of Stories digital content, from curated lists and features across a range of themes, to further showcase the stellar literary talent connected to Scotland’s shores, with particular focus on the publishers.
On top of these dedicated projects, the organisation’s annual offerings will be shaped to complement the Year of Stories national campaign, with thousands of trade catalogues showcasing member publishers and books that fit within the key Visit Scotland themes – iconic stories and storytellers, new stories, Scottish people and places, local tales and legends, and inspired by nature – being available in bookshops, libraries and visitor centres across the country – complete with a newly commissioned poem from Edinburgh Makar Hannah Lavery, ‘The Gaithering’ – and new editorial strands in Books from Scotland’s monthly issues, celebrating the latest releases.
The year-long project is being coordinated by Heather McDaid alongside the Publishing Scotland team. For those looking to pitch Scottish books or authors for feature content or events, you can contact Heather at heather.mcdaid@publishingscotland.org.
Marion Sinclair, Chief Executive, Publishing Scotland: “Publishing is where stories meet the world. We welcome very warmly the arrival of Year of Stories 2022 as a wonderful opportunity to spotlight the work of writers and publishers in Scotland. Publishing in Scotland began over 500 years ago – the contribution it has made to getting stories out to the wider world still continues to this day with member publishers, agents and booksellers across the entire country. The work of selecting, commissioning, developing, shaping, producing, marketing, and selling, all plays a huge part in helping stories reach their audience.”
Heather McDaid, Events and Programme Support Officer, Publishing Scotland: “Visit Scotland’s campaign is a great opportunity for the Scottish book world to celebrate under one umbrella – a chance for us to further spotlight the work that goes into making books, showcasing not only many brilliant authors, but the teams and processes behind the scenes, working hard to bring stories to life. Across the year, Publishing Scotland will be celebrating Scottish stories in their many forms, and further showcasing the vibrant talent of Scotland’s publishing and literary sector.”
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Twitter: @PublishScotland, @ScottishBooks, @VisitScotland, #YS2022
Publishing Scotland annual films: