Scottish BPOC Writers Network (SBWN) is an advocacy and professional development group for writers who identify as BPOC (Black people, People of Colour) with a connection to Scotland.
SBWN was founded in 2018 by Alycia Pirmohamed and Jay G Ying 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. Partners include Literature Alliance Scotland, Edinburgh International Book Festival, HarperCollins, Floris Books, Scottish Book Trust, National Library of Scotland, Wigtown Book Festival, Equality Network, Gutter, Tapsalterie, Inky Fingers; and key programmes include:
- Writers of Colour writing cohort and anthology co-curated by Hannah Lavery and Marjorie Lotfi
- Monthly Black Writers Group
- Monthly Asian Writers Group
- ‘Metaphors for a Black Future’ curated by Martha Adonai Williams.
Run by writers of colour for writers of colour, 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.
Contact Scottish BPOC Writers Network