Live Literature Funding

Apply now for our Live Literature programme and we'll pay over half the fees to run an author event in your local community.

The purpose of Live Literature is to inspire communities to read and write for pleasure. This is the reason Live Literature funding exists, so please make sure you address it directly in your application.

• Imagination: We like to support interesting, imaginative sessions which show a commitment to the promotion and enjoyment of reading and writing.
• Your local authority area: We aim to support events and projects that reach as wide a range of people as possible and events are spread throughout every local authority in Scotland.
• Indication of need: In order to ensure that funding has the greatest impact, we want to know why it's needed and who your events will engage. For instance, is there a financial need for this kind of support? Are you targeting audiences who aren't ordinarily reached by your work? Is your event aimed at a specific need in your area?
• Clear outcomes: We want to support sessions that have a clear and demonstrable benefit. We want to know how many people will benefit from the events and how. We also like to know how the session fits in with any other activity you're planning and whether it will have a legacy.
• Your history of funding: We welcome applications from organisations that have previously been supported by Live Literature funding. The panel will take into account how you have used Live Literature funding in the past when making their decision.

How it works: You contact an author from our Live Literature Author Directory to deliver an event or author visit in your local community. The team at Scottish Book Trust are available to help.

The set author fee is £175. We will pay the author directly, covering half of the £175 fee plus all author expenses within set guidelines. All you need to do is pay a set contribution of £75 plus VAT per author session, which Scottish Book Trust will send you an invoice for directly. Events can take place in person or remotely, allowing you to be flexible when planning your Live Literature session.

Not-for-profit organisations in every part of Scotland can apply for support to host events or projects with authors.

You can apply for funding if:

• You are based in any part of Scotland.
• You are applying on behalf of a school, library, community group, arts organisation, local festival, reading/writing group, hospital, prison or an organisation working with adults or children with disabilities, or any other not-for-profit organisation working in Scotland.
• You intend to work with an author listed on the Live Literature Author Directory. Live Literature fees can only be paid to authors on the directory.
• You have the budget to part fund your author events.
• You are not currently waiting to hear the outcome of a Live Literature application.

We welcome applications from ASN settings and schools supporting vulnerable children and the children of key workers. Organisations can apply more than once, regardless of previous outcomes, provided that they are not already waiting for a Live Literature funding decision.