Scotland: Scottish PEN launches Declarations

Declarations by Scottish PEN

Scottish PEN has launched the Declarations project to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath. This is a writing opportunity for short fiction and poetry informed by a range of topics including exploring fights for freedom; the independence of thought, writing and reading; the consequences of censorship; the need for the free exchange of ideas; for supporting suppressed and marginalised voices; for enabling access to the written word; or the concept of ‘declaration’ and what it might mean in today’s world.

Contributions can be in any language provided a translation into English is included. Contributions in all Scottish indigenous languages are welcome, alongside an English translation. Poems should be no longer than 50 lines and prose should be a maximum of 1,000 words. The deadline for submissions is Monday 13th January 2020. An initial selection will be made by four Scottish PEN trustees with final judging by Sir Tom Devine.

Submissions should be sent to declarations@scottishpen.org or to Declarations, Scottish PEN, The Writers’ Museum, Lady Stair’s House, Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PA, UK. The final selection will be made by the end of March 2020 and prize winners announced on 6th April 2020 at an event in Arbroath as part of the Arbroath 2020 celebrations.

For more information visit the Scottish PEN website.