Dingwall writer named Ignite Fellow with bursary award from Scottish Book Trust
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A DINGWALL-based writer and journalist has received a £2000 bursary to develop one of his projects.
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing, has today announced its sixth cohort of Ignite Fellows.
The award supports established writers working on a significant project.
The 2024 Fellows include Calum L MacLeòid, whose second novel, Fon Choill, won the Gaelic Literature Award in 2021 for best fiction.
Ignite Fellows receive a £2000 bursary and creative support tailored to suit their individual projects. Alycia Pirmohamed, based in Edinburgh, and Kris Haddow, based in Glasgow, have also been awarded Ignite Fellowships this year.
Calum L MacLeòid said: "I am delighted to receive this award and can't wait to participate in the Ignite scheme."
Alison Lang, director of Gaelic Books Council, said: “Comhairle nan Leabhraichean is pleased to be partnering once again with the Scottish Book Trust to provide an established Gaelic writer with this excellent opportunity to develop new work with the support of a mentor.
"Calum L MacLeòid has enjoyed success with his novels and drama, and we very much look forward to reading more about the short stories he plans to work on during his year as an Ignite Fellow.”
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: "Congratulations to our three new Ignite Fellows, who are very deserving of this award. The Ignite Fellowship provides writers with essential mentoring, financial assistance and practical support that will help them reach new heights in their careers. We’re thrilled to support these writers on their next chapters, and look forward to seeing how their projects progress."
What does the Scottish Book Trust do?
Scottish Book Trust is a national charity that believes everyone living in Scotland should have equal access to books. Its work provides opportunities to improve life chances through books and the fundamental skills of reading and writing.
Access to books and a love of books bring many important benefits from family bonding and advancing children’s learning, to unlocking creativity, helping employability and improving mental health and wellbeing.
Scottish Book Trust aims to support all communities across Scotland, with particular focus on those who are vulnerable and under-represented.
Its programmes and outreach work include:
- Gifting books to every child in Scotland to ensure families of all backgrounds can share the joy of books at home, through Bookbug and Read, Write, Count
- Working with teachers to inspire children to develop a love of reading, creating innovative classroom activities, book awards and author events such as Authors
- Live with the BBC and the Scottish Friendly Children's Book Tour
It supports Scotland's wide-ranging literary talent, both emerging and established through training, awards and writing opportunities including New Writers Awards.
It also creates events to share books and connect writers with communities, including Book Week Scotland.
The charity also provides support to people living with dementia and their carers through Reading is Caring.
In addition to the funding it receives from the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland, it says it needs the constant support of trusts and foundations, corporate sponsors and individual donors.
