By Erin L. Cox, Publisher | @erinlcox
Last month at the Frankfurt Book Fair, Publishing Scotland made an open call to international publishers with an interest in Scottish writers and literature to participate in the program next summer. There are eight slots available.The fellowship program, which was founded in 2015, seeks to foster relationships between the Scottish market and publishers from around the world with the goal of expanding the network, facilitating the buying and selling of rights, and broadening the reach of Scottish literature. Over the last decade, the program has welcomed 71 publishers from 19 countries for meetings, publisher and agent visits, and insight into the Scottish publishing market.
Taking place in August, the week-long fellowship coincides with the Edinburgh International Book Festival, the expanded Global Ink conference at the Book Festival, and the world-famous Edinburgh Festival and Fringe.
Scotland-based literary agent Jenny Brown of Jenny Brown Associates has been involved with the fellowship since its inception and credits it for bringing Scottish literature to new markets. “The Fellowship has become a highlight in the publishing calendar: it has boosted Scotland’s international profile, enabling us to meet publishers and giving us a deeper understanding of their markets.”
“They in turn encounter the vibrant and diverse literary scene of Scotland. And as a result of building those relationships, agents and publishers have sold significantly more rights, increasing the reach of writing from Scotland internationally.”
In addition to the applications being open for the fellowship program, Publishing Scotland also announced a new round of their translation fund which is also open. The fund supports the translation fees for foreign publishers interested in publishing Scottish writers. Priority will be given to the translation of contemporary literature, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, writing for children and graphic novels.
Applications for the fund will be focused on the merit of the work to be translated, financial need of the international publisher, a potential marketing plan, and, most importantly, passion and enthusiasm for the work selected.
For more information on Publish Scotland and these opportunities, visit the website here. For more Publishing Perspectives coverage of the Scottish market, click here.