TEN writers have been handpicked for a prestigious prize which offers them a programme of mentorship and literary development.
The Scottish Book Trust have announced the winners of the 2015 New Writers Awards. Of the ten recipients, five were chosen from the fiction and narrative non-fiction section, along with three from poetry and two from children and young adults.
From the fiction and narrative non-fiction section, the panel selected Olga Wojtas, Rachelle Atalla, D P Colgan, Basil W Davies, Julie Martis for the award.
Poets Stephen Keeler, Lindsay Macgregor and Aiko Greig were also chosen along with Michael Richardson and Claire Squires in the children and young adult fiction category.
Caitrin Armstrong, head of writer development at the Scottish Book Trust, said: "Selecting our New Writers is always tough, there are some really talented writers out there, and with applications rocketing from 150 in 2008 to nearly 400 the decisions are getting harder.
"As a result, the panel meetings were very lively and there was a great deal of debate, but in the end the decisions were unanimous. We are very, very excited about the 2015 New Writers Awardees and look forward to working with them."
All winners receive a £2,000 cash prize along with a tailored package including mentoring from writers and industry professionals, training in public relations, social media and performance and the opportunity to show their work to publishers and agents.
Jenny Niven from Creative Scotland, added: "We're delighted for this new intake to the program and wish the awardees the best of success for the exciting, and challenging year ahead."
Meanwhile, entries for the Dundee International Book Prize 2015 has officially opened, with the winner netting a cash windfall of £10,000 and a publishing contract with Cargo Publishing.
Debut novelists will have until Thursday, 19 February to submit their original manuscript for consideration.
For more information, visit www.dundeebookprize.com/rules
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