Professional development and community for the literature sector in Scotland

Welcome

LAS offers professional development and community for the staff and freelancers who work in the literature sector in Scotland.

Our Membership Network acts as a collective voice for the literature sector and we welcome new applications to join throughout the year. Membership is open to constituted organisations based in Scotland or working to support Scottish communities through reaching readers, supporting writers, developing literacy and more.

 

LAS Members

The Association for Scottish Literature (ASL) promotes the study, teaching and writing of Scottish literature, and furthers the study of the languages of Scotland.

The Association of Scottish Literary Agents (ASLA) is the representative body of literary agents based in Scotland. 

CILIPS is the Scottish affiliate of CILIP, the leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers.

Comhairle nan Leabhraichean (The Gaelic Books Council) supports Scottish Gaelic writers, publishers and books in Scotland and internationally.

Cove Park is an international residency based on a 50-acre rural site in Argyll on Scotland’s west coast.

CYMERA is Scotland’s Festival of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Writing.

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is a charity which has been bringing outstanding writers and thinkers from around the world together with curious audiences for over forty years.

The Edinburgh Jewish Literary Society was founded in 1888 with the purpose of bringing British culture to the Jewish immigrant population of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust is the charity behind Edinburgh’s status as the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature.

Moniack Mhor is Scotland’s National Writing Centre.

The National Library of Scotland looks after and shares Scotland’s cultural heritage, supporting research, learning, and discovery.

OH!CON is an annual comic con held in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.

Bringing people together through shared reading and creative writing for diverse community and public groups across Scotland.

Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland provides artistically independent career support to the playwrights of Scotland.

Publishing Scotland is the network, trade and development body for the book publishing sector in Scotland.

Edinburgh’s international poetry and multi arts festival.

The national charity transforming the lives of people in Scotland through reading and writing since 1998.

The independent advisory body to the Scottish Government on library and information matters.

The Scottish Poetry Library is a unique national resource and advocate for the art of poetry, and Scottish poetry in particular.

The collective voice of Scotland’s playwrights for over 50 years.

A diverse network of storytellers, organisations and individuals supporting Scotland’s vibrant storytelling community.

The national group for writers, illustrators and translators in Scotland.

The Stirling Centre for International Publishing and Communication has developed a global reputation for its postgraduate degrees in publishing, its research activities, and its industry links.

A literacy charity based in Edinburgh whose mission is to help young people in Scotland write their story.

The Saltire Society is one of Scotland’s leading supporters of culture.

A national resource based in Glasgow, supporting writers and promoting Scotland’s vibrant literary arts culture.

UCSL brings together academics to promote and support the study of Scottish Literature.

A 10-day literary celebration in Scotland’s National Book Town.

LAS Project Showcase

To Be Continued

To Be Continued is Literature Alliance Scotland’s career development programme for literature professionals.

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Writer Bursaries for works-in-progress

The LAS Writer Bursaries for work-in-progress is a programme offering bursaries to established writers currently resident in Scotland.

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Scottish Book Festivals Network

The Scottish Book Festivals Network (SBFN) is a forum for sharing and establishing best practice and enabling informal exchange between the people who run and programme Scotland’s literary festivals.

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Find A Book Festival

Scotland is a nation of readers and celebrates this through more than 60 book and literary festivals throughout the year, from Stornoway to the Borders and from Skye to Aberdeen.

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Mapping The Sector

An action research project, mapping existing resources and gaps in provision for the Scottish literature sector.

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LAS News & Events

To Be Continued and Writer Bursaries now open for applications

17th July, 2026

Two of our professional development opportunities – To Be Continued and Writer Bursaries for work-in-progress – are open for applications until 30th August.

Announcing LAS' new Programme Coordinator is Heather McDaid

Heather McDaid joins LAS as Programme Co-ordinator

23rd June, 2026

Former Next Level Awardee Heather McDaid has joined LAS as Programme Coordinator

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