scottish bpoc writers network
Glasgow
Scottish BPOC Writers Network (SBWN) is an advocacy and professional development
group for Scottish or Scotland-based writers and literary professionals who
identify as BPOC (Black people, People of Colour).* Contact us Frequently Asked
Questions Membership Membership is free and open to any BPOC* writer or literary
professional who is Scottish and/or based in Scotland and participates in our
online or venue-based events or spaces, or publishing or literary opportunities.
Membership may be extended to BPOC writers or literary professionals based
outwith Scotland on occasion. Commissioned artists will typically be from the
BPOC and/or SBWN communities. SBWN may work with volunteers, partners and allies
who identify as BPOC, or white, or another racial or ethnic identity. Some
events or activities may be open to the general public or the wider literary
community. We have adopted a Constitution. We operate a Safer Spaces Policy
during all events, projects and initiatives. *Please see our Mission and Values
page for who we are talking about when we say ‘Scottish BPOC writers.’ History
Formerly known as Scottish BAME Writers Network (2018-2021), SBWN was co-founded
in 2018 by Alycia Pirmohamed and Jay Gao, and aims to connect Scottish BPOC
writers with the wider literary sector in Scotland and beyond. Weaving together
collaborative literary partnerships, cross-arts co-creation and an
intersectional approach to inclusive and participatory programming, SBWN is a
sector change-maker, facilitating necessary conversations around inclusive
programming in an effort to address and overcome systemic barriers. Professional
development programming includes publishing and performance opportunities,
workshops, masterclasses, curatorial roles, training and seminars, industry
panels and partnerships, feedback and mentoring. Run by BPOC writers for BPOC
writers, and informed by member surveys, consultation and feedback, SBWN
uplifts, validates and provides safer spaces for marginalised voices, nurturing
and promoting the current and next generation of Black and POC writers based in
Scotland.