Special Guest Northern Highlight - Chris Newton, Scottish Book Trust



SPECIAL GUEST NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT

Chris Newton, Scottish Book Trust 


Can you tell us about SBT and how it has changed over the last 20 years?
We are a charity who aims to improve the lives of every person in Scotland through reading and writing. We have grown considerably from a small team to over fifty colleagues, delivering a wide array of programmes for all ages. 
 
We’ve cultivated a tremendous team of creative individuals who are extremely passionate about the work that we do and constantly drive our agenda forward. As well as championing reading and nurturing writing talent, we also work with a wide range of stakeholders from Scottish Government to the NHS and Scottish Friendly.
 
 
 
What are the advantages of being based in Edinburgh?
It is great to be part of a vibrant literary scene. We are home to many publishers and writers and illustrators. Edinburgh is, of course, also a UNESCO City of Literature and home to Edinburgh International Book Festival so there is always a community of people to work with and to help reach our audiences.  
  
What are your latest programmes?
This week is Book Week Scotland, our annual celebration of all things booky. The team (and all the partner organisations) have adapted brilliantly to the COVID restrictions imposed on us all and have delivered an amazing programme. 
 

 
We’ve also just launched a new programme called Arts Alive, in partnership with the National Performing Companies (the National Theatre of Scotland, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Ballet, Scottish Opera and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra), which gives schools the opportunity to have funded sessions from them in school. The model is based on our successful Live Literature programme. 
 
We are also exploring digital storytelling with Macmillan and a programme to support carers -  Reading is Caring.
  
What for you is the 'spirit of the Scotland’?
Whisky! And a collaborative can-do attitude. We’ve learned to adapt to our situation and make beauty from harsh circumstances; we’ve turned our bad weather into beautiful language like driech, drizzle and drookit!.
  
Who for you are the great Scottish writers and illustrators?
Where do you start?! We are so blessed to have a such a rich literary heritage from the likes of Scott, Stevenson and Spark (and that’s just a few of the ones who start with S!) but we also have a brilliant array of contemporary writers and illustrators, the likes of which can be seen in our Bookbug Picture Book Prize and Scottish Teenage Book Prize shortlists every year. 
 
Scotland also seems to be able to produce so many excellent crime novelists; Ian Rankin, Doug Johnstone and Val McDermid to name only three! At Scottish Book Trust we also support emerging talent and have seen those writers go to be published and win awards like Graeme Macrae-Burnett in recent years. 
 
And then there’s braw Scots writers like James Roberston and Matthew Fitt and Gaelic poets like Padraig MacAoidh. Oh, and I've not even mentioned Edwin Morgan! 
  
Why is it so important that we continue to promote children's books in Scotland?
Reading is fundamental to children’s wellbeing. It can help to improve their communication skills and develop their understanding of other people’s feelings. And most of all it is FUN. 
 
Reading should be a pleasurable experience, whether a child likes humour, non-fiction, thrillers, romance or drama, there truly is a book out there for everyone.
 
Reading can help close the poverty-related attainment gap and we know that there are too many children out there who don’t have access to books at home. 
  
What would you like to see from children's publishing in Scotland?
A broader diversity of writers and illustrators being published to reflect the diversity of our society, but that’s not a Scotland specific issue. It's something the whole publishing industry needs to improve. 
 
Learn more about SBT:
https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/
Twitter: @scottishbktrust
Instagram: scottishbooktrust
 

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