20 July 2022
Angus Writers Circle invite you to Drop In to the New Scriptorium
From 14 July to 14 August, Angus Writers’ Circle are the inaugural Writers in Residence in The New Scriptorium in Arbroath Abbey as part of Short Sharp Stories for Scotland’s Year of Story Telling.
Each Wednesday from 1.30 – 4pm, of the Residency there will be a ‘doors-open day’, when members of the wider community can pop in and see the AWC at work, chat about writing, get some information and try their hand at writing themselves. We will provide a sheet of ‘writing prompts’ based on the stories and artefacts around the Abbey to get them started.
We invite you to ‘have a go’ at a new activity…!
Entrance: If you plan to attend, come to the Visitor Centre of the Abbey and let the team know that you are attending the Angus Writers’ Circle Drop In. The team will be able to direct you to The New Scriptorium and you will gain free entry to the Abbey Grounds. At all other times entrance to the Abbey is £4.75.
Angus Writers’ Circle was founded by local authors Chris Longmuir, David Wishart and Eileen Ramsay in 1990. All are now honorary members, and the group continues to promote its original aims: to encourage the craft of writing, for both profit and pleasure, and to offer support, information and a sense of community to writers at all stages of their development. The Circle meets in Arbroath, which is a central point for Angus-based writers to meet. Members hail from Arbroath, Carnoustie, Forfar, Meigle, Montrose and all the places in between!
Angus Writers’ Circle is thrilled to have been selected as the first Writers-in-Residence at the new Scriptorium. Not only will this opportunity offer each member valuable time to devote to their own work, but also an inspirational space in which to meet members of the wider community who may be curious about what we do, or wish to begin their own writing journey. We will be on hand throughout our residency to offer a helping hand for those first steps.
Plans for this residency include a session of readings from our new anthology, A Kist of Scots, and regular drop-in sessions for members of the public to come and chat about writing, or try their hand at some Abbey-themed writing prompts. We will also be holding some workshops inspired by the Scriptorium, and its outside space.
Short Sharp Stories
Short Sharp Stories is a programme of literary events, workshops and writers’ residencies in Arbroath launching The New Scriptorium in Arbroath Abbey. From the historic whisper of medieval publication to the cacophony of contemporary communication, this programme will inspire new writing for Arbroath and Angus.
Activity began in April with artist Kate Guthrie leading illustration and writing workshops with young people from Arbroath Academy inspired by local history resulting in a public artwork created with the young people in Arbroath.
From July to October, we will hold residencies, workshops and reading events led by the Scriptorium Writers in Residence in Arbroath Abbey.
Short Sharp Stories project has been supported by the Year of Stories 2022 Community Stories Fund through Visit Scotland. This fund is being delivered in partnership between VisitScotland and Museums Galleries Scotland with support from National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players.
Short Sharp Stories, part of The Arbroath Town Writers’ programme, will bring writers and young people together to focus on the skills involved in creating a short story. Hospitalfield is working with Arbroath 2020+2 and Historic Environment Scotland to develop this and the wider Town Writers’ programme. April 2022 to September 2022. Thanks also for funding from Creative Scotland and Angus Council Town Centre Funds.