On Thursday 12th of February, I attended the Scottish Book Trust’s New Writers Award Showcase at the Traverse Theatre. I was lucky enough to be invited along with my placement hosts, Peter and Katie from Leamington Books. It was also exciting for our team as Leamington’s new release, This is Home by Luca Serra, was this month’s book of the month (Scottish Book Trust, 2026a).
The showcase prioritises bringing attention to the ‘most exciting new writing talent in Scotland’ and bringing together a community of writers, poets, publishers, agents and everyday people (Scottish Book Trust, 2026b). However, the event also highlighted the importance of networking within the publishing industry.
The event included welcome drinks, two sets of readings by the award winners, and the opportunity to stay and socialise further afterwards. I found this to be a fantastic way to relax the attendees and generate talking points.
The Awards were held in partnership with the Gaelic Book Council. Award winners, Sarah NicRath and Petra Johana Poncarová, were Gaelic speakers, which was a wonderful display of Scottish pride and heritage. Overall, the event was a light-hearted and joyful expression of literary talent and love, featuring children’s fiction, spoken word, Scots, poetry, and adult fiction.
Host, Gemma Cairney, adeptly explained how important the showcase was and that ‘there’s so much diversity in this country […] we can transcend language, dialect, race, where we were born, when we come together, particularly through the written word’ (Cairney, 2026).
Scotland’s publishing ecosystem is inclusive and diverse; however, it is also small in comparison to powerhouse cities such as London. Whilst the showcase was a fantastic introduction to the literary space as a publishing student, it also proved to me how intrinsic networking is for Scottish publishing.
Initially, I was slightly overwhelmed as it was a busy event, and I was worried about intruding on others’ conversations. However, Peter was an excellent mentor, introducing me to friends and colleagues and allowing me to put myself forward as a professional. By the end of the evening, I felt comfortable introducing myself to people, all of whom had lovely advice for me.
Studies have demonstrated that networking is important for ‘building, maintaining, and using relationships inside and outside one’s own organi[s]ation for work-related support, strategic information, and career success.’ (Kashian, 2026, p.19)
Many publishers are small and independent, especially in Scotland. By knowing other professionals and writers, independent SME publishers can help each other and guide writers and professionals to the most appropriate publishing house. Word of mouth and reputation can open doors and opportunities, not only for established professionals but also for students like me.
Events are central to Scottish publishing; they play a vital role in collaborations, exchanging information and resources that help keep the Scottish industry thriving and healthy in the face of competition. As a student who hopes to enter the Scottish publishing industry, I realised the necessity of making connections and integrating myself into the community.
The showcase proved to me that networking in this ecosystem is vital. Everyone in this intimate industry wants to help and uphold the pride and identity of Scottish publishing. It was amazing to see and meet so many supportive and helpful people in such a welcoming, celebratory environment.
Bibliography
Cairney, G. (2026). Host of Award Showcase.
Kashian, N. (2026). Career Benefits of Networking Face-to-Face and Via LinkedIn. International Journal of Business Communication, [online] pp.1–23. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/23294884251408450.
Scottish Book Trust (2026b). New Writing. Scottish Book Trust.
Scottish Book Trust. “Book of the Month: This Is Home by Luca Serra.” Scottish Book Trust, (2026a), www.scottishbooktrust.com/competitions-and-giveaways/book-of-the-month-this-is-home-by-luca-serra. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Image Reference
Scottish Book Trust (2026c). The New Writers Awards Showcase 2026. [Online] Instagram. Available at: https://www.instagram.com/p/DU5fwK6CG7M/?img_index=6 [Accessed 19 Feb. 2026].
Scottish Book Trust (n.d.). Scottish Book Trust Logo. [Online] Scottish Book Trust. Available at: https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/ [Accessed 20 Feb. 2026].
Stanford, H. (2026a). New Writers Award Showcase Merchandise.
Stanford, H. (2026b). Taylor Dyson at New Writers Showcase.
MSc Publishing – Industry Accredited Postgraduate Degree 