Scottish Government
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Report into future of Scottish literature

A strong future for Scottish literature has been mapped out in a report published today.

Ministers asked the Literature Working Group, chaired by Rosemary Goring, to bring forward practical and realistic recommendations to ensure literature in Scotland is able to thrive and is supported in the most appropriate way.

One of the report's key recommendations is the establishment of a Scottish academy for literature designed to acknowledge and celebrate Scotland's best writers, poets and novelists across all genres.

The report also recommends the support of writers' retreats and retreat spaces.

Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop said:

"This thoughtful report provides interesting and challenging ideas, not only for the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland, but for other public bodies and the wider literature sector.

"Scotland has an incredibly rich literary heritage and we want to ensure that writers in contemporary Scotland are able to contribute to maintaining that reputation.

"I see the role of government as ensuring an environment exists where writers, publishers and literature are valued. It is important that appropriate support is in place which allows creativity to be tapped and high-quality literature to be produced.

"Resources are under immense pressure, so the secret to success will be the key players being able to work together to achieve the sector's ambitions.

"We will respond to this comprehensive report in full, later in the year. However, I am keen to progress the suggestion of a Scottish academy for literature and to explore the possibility of using space in publicly-owned buildings for writers' retreats.

"I have already asked the Scottish Arts Council and Creative Scotland to consider the academy proposal and to work with others to consider the feasibility of establishing it as a way of celebrating Scotland's wealth of literary talent and of using our writers' talent and expertise to inform future decisions.

"The idea of encouraging more writers' retreats is a good one and to take this forward quickly, I have asked Historic Scotland to consider how we can make use of some of the inspirational properties in its care.

"I would like to thank all the members of the Working Group for their considerable efforts in putting together this useful report which sets out practical and realistic initiatives' and which provide much food for thought."

Rosemary Goring said:

"Working on this policy with such an outstanding group has been a real privilege. The report is full of good ideas, which cover the entire book industry. At its heart is the firm belief that literature, as the art form at which Scotland excels, must be taken more seriously, both in terms of status and support. I very much hope that what we have produced will serve as a blueprint for Creative Scotland's provision for literature, and ensure that it flourishes, as it deserves, under this new regime."

Rosemary Goring has a history degree from St Andrews University and began her career as an editor with Chambers. She has edited and written for many reference books including Chambers Biographical Dictionary and her most recent publication is Scotland: The Autobiography (Penguin, 2007).

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