Scottish BPOC Writers Network

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.