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Go-Digital Fund

The purpose of the fund is to assist Scottish-based book publishers to develop their digital offering and skills through access to marketing opportunities, events, training and consultancies.

Apply by 5pm on Monday 1 August 2022

Applications for Round One of the Go-Digital Fund 2022–2023 are open for applications until 5pm on Monday 1 August 2022. Full details about how to apply are set out in the Go-Digital Fund Round One of 2022/23 APPLICATION FORM (Word document). Applications should be submitted on this form.

Any queries about the fund should be emailed to Lucy Feather, Member Services Manager.

About the Fund

The Go-Digital fund supports Scottish-based book publishers in bringing their books to a new digital audience. It’s administered by Publishing Scotland with the help of funding from Creative Scotland. 

The costs that will normally be funded are:

  • For digital marketing purposes
  • For the services of a specialist/consultant
  • For attending a digital event or conference
  • For equipment and software necessary in supporting the digital project
  • For attending a training course, or arranging an in-house training course on a digital theme

Publishers can claim costs up to a maximum of £1,500 per company.

CRITERIA FOR AWARDS

  • As with any Creative Scotland funding, the quality of your publishing programme is important.
  • Financial need.
  • Type of publishing – priority will normally be given to publishers of fiction, children’s books, poetry, and selected non-fiction (normally of a cultural nature) but other types of publishing will be considered.
  • Your company must be substantially based in Scotland.
  • Self-publishers and publishing services companies are not eligible.

Recipients of the previous round of funding (Round 2 of the Go-Digital Fund 2021–22).

Twelve publishers were awarded Go Digital Awards totalling £15,554 in round 2 of the Go-Digital Fund 2021-22. The successful recipients and their projects are:

Curly Tale – Suite of digital assets to support publication of new picture book

Extremis Publishing – Audiobook and podcast project

Leamington Books – Audiobook project

Little Door Books – Podcast equipment

Luath Press – Digital marketing strategy and employment of consultant

Muddy Pearl – Training course and software purchases to enhance data retention and marketing

Rymour Books – Camera & tripod for digital presentation professionalism

Sainted Media – Digital marketing consultant for title promotion

Scotland Street Press – Social media project – marketing, training, equipment

Sparsile Books – Audiobook production and upload

The Wee Book Co – Equipment for sales, database and marketing initiatives

Whittles Publishing – Social media consultancy and web development

Round 1 of the Go Digital Fund 2021  supported 11 Scottish publishers to the amount of £14,141 with the development of digital initiatives; ranging from new video functionality and ecommerce function on company websites, bespoke training, purchase of equipment, consultancy and digital marketing boosts. 

You may also be eligible for these Scottish Government funds and loans:

Digital Development Loan

Scottish limited companies, sole traders and partnerships who have been trading for more than 6 months are eligible to apply for a Digital Development Loan (created by the Scottish Government to provide loans to those looking to improve their digital capabilities).  Interest free, unsecured business loans from £5,000 to £100,000 are available with up to 5 years repayment. To check eligibility and to apply, see the Digital Development Loan website.