Scottish Government
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New chapter for literature

The Group established to map out a strong future for literature in Scotland meets for the first time yesterday.

Ahead of its first meeting, Culture Minister Michael Russell announced that the membership of the Group will be: Hugh Andrew, Valentina Bold, Matthew Fitt, Rody Gorman, Jen Hadfield, Allan Massie, Andy Nicoll, and Don Patterson. As previously announced, Rosemary Goring will convene the Group.

Established to recommend a new approach to support for literature in Scotland, the Working Group will focus particularly on writers and publishers. It will make recommendations to the Culture Minister and the Chair of Creative Scotland 2009 by the end of 2009.

Culture Minister Michael Russell said:

"These well-respected members of the Scottish literary community bring exactly the kind of experience and expertise required for this important task.

"I have made no secret of my belief that Scotland can and should do a lot more to support its writers and publishers. That is why I have established this Group and why I am looking forward to receiving its recommendations.

"Given the membership of the Group, I am sure those recommendations will recognise the talent and ambition of Scotland's writers and come up with some innovative ideas for how the sector could be better supported. Of course, the Group's work will help inform the developing remit and sector-specific focus of Creative Scotland, of which I see literature as a key strand.

"Scotland boasts some very talented contemporary writers and a wonderful literary heritage. My wish is that the contribution this Group makes, and the foundations it lays, will be instrumental in ensuring that literary tradition endures."

The Culture Minister announced formation of the Literature Working Group in a statement to Parliament on April 2, 2009.

As previously indicated, positions on the Group are part-time and are not remunerated. Scottish Government officials and the Scottish Arts Council will provide a secretariat for the group from within current resources.

Related Information

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ArtsCultureSport/arts/Literature/Literature-Working-Group

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