Could You be an Open Book Lead Reader- Open Book

Open Book is a charity which runs accessible shared reading and creative writing sessions across Scotland for a diverse range of community and public participants, and we’re looking to start some new creative writing groups to broaden our reach.

We would like to find new communities to serve with Open Book sessions. We’re looking for three new Lead Readers to pilot new Open Book groups based in Scotland with populations or in geographical locations we don’t currently serve. Each of the pilot groups will run for five sessions between September 2025 – February 2026. Where they are, and who they’re for…well, that’s up to you. Open Book is looking to offer new communities the chance to enjoy the relaxed, inclusive space of a creative writing session. ‘Communities’ could mean your local area, or it could mean people with a shared identity, experience or interest. We want you to be connected to the community who will attend your group, and to have a good understanding of how shared reading and creative writing could work for them.

In Open Book creative writing sessions, guided by the Lead Reader, the group will read short poems/stories together and use them as a springboard to create new pieces of their own (writing individually and sometimes as a group). As an organisation, Open Book is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Specifically, we are looking for proposals to work with a population or in a location that we don’t currently support, and will give priority to groups which focus on under-served communities.

As part of your application, we’re asking you to link up with a host organisation – the place where you’ll hold your sessions or a partner organisation that supports the community you’d like to work with. This could be a library, a community centre, a theatre, a charity, a bookshop…you’ll know what support your community needs, and where your community will feel most confident. We’re also open to one or two of these groups operating via Zoom, if that’s the right fit.

The fee for running each of the five pilot sessions is £220. We will also support training costs at a rate of £30 per hour for up to 2 hours.

Open Book will provide a budget for supplies required to run sessions and will support Lead Readers with a choice of reading materials for use in sessions. You’ll receive training in running sessions to the Open Book model, and will have access to administrative support from the team. We’ll support you with posters and other things you need to let people know about your pilot group, and help advertise your session through our social media channels. Part of your role will be working with your host organisation to publicise the group within your community. Creative Writing groups meet for two hours on roughly a monthly basis. At the end of the pilot, Open Book will meet with you to evaluate how it’s gone and discuss possible next steps.

Please note: to keep all participants safe and to comply with legal requirements, successful applicants will be required to complete an application to join the PVG scheme. The costs of this will be met by Open Book who will handle the application process.

How to Apply

Find a host organisation – this will be the venue where you hold your session, or in the case of an online group, an organisation that will pair with you to reach the right participants. Once you have a confirmed contact who’s happy for you to submit your application, get in touch with us. If you know the community would prefer to access the sessions via Zoom, you can put that in the application form. Get a CV ready which highlights your relevant experience, including your professional writing experience. We’re looking for Creative Writing Lead Readers with an equivalent level of publication experience as Scottish Book Trust Live Literature database authors. Complete this application form by 12pm on Friday 2 May 2025. Please note in the application how your proposal fills a gap in our current provisions – either in geography or in participant populations. The form will also include the chance to upload your CV.

What happens next? After the closing date, the Open Book team will look at all the applications and contact the host organisations of the shortlisted candidates. We may also arrange a chat with you via Zoom to discuss the pilot and your ideas. Successful candidates will be contacted to organise training, and to help work out the next steps for setting up your sessions. We would like the first sessions to take place in early September 2025.

Key dates

• Closing Date: 12pm Friday 2 May 2025
• First sessions to take place by the end of September 2025.