Recruiting: Western Isles Lead Reader

Open Book is looking for a Lead Reader to support its creative programme in the Western Isles. Although the programme will be delivered on-line, applicants living and working in the Western Isles will be preferred over other applicants.

 

About Open Book

 

Since March 2013 Open Book (www.openbookreading.com) has run shared reading and creative writing sessions for adults. In our 2020/21 year, we’ll have delivered well over 1000 sessions in around 80 locations – from the islands off Shetland to Stranraer, on Uist and Tiree, and in places like Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee and in the Central Belt. We work in a number of sectors – libraries, health care settings, with the elderly, refugees and migrants, community groups, and in prisons, libraries and other public settings. Stories and poems are read aloud then discussed in a relaxed, informal setting, with about one-third of the groups adding creative writing.

 

Shared Reading+Creative Writing

 

Open Book is looking for a Creative Writing Lead Reader to deliver 10 monthly shared reading with creative writing sessions for people living and working in the Western Isles. The sessions will be delivered in a digital format on the Open Book Zoom platform. The Lead Reader will be joining a strong community of approximately 75 Open Book Lead Readers.

 

Applicant Requirements

 

The successful applicant will:

 

  • be a published author with a publication record commensurate with authors on Scottish Book Trust’s Author Database;
  • have previous experience of workshop delivery;
  • be asked to join the PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme) and to provide two references (Open Book will meet the costs of PVG membership and process the application on behalf of the Lead Reader); and
  • be available to attend a paid training session in Oct/Nov and to deliver monthly workshops from Nov 2021 onwards.

Role

 

The successful candidate will be contracted to deliver ten 90-120 min shared reading+creative writing workshops in the Open Book model across a twelve month period. The workshops will take place on the same day and at the same time each month (i.e the third Wed of the month). The fee in respect of each workshop (including preparation, delivery and post session feedback) is £175. Six required training hours – including initial training in the model – will be funded at £25 per hour.

Lead Readers are asked to support their groups to attend a literary event during the course of the project year. This can be attendance at a Festival event or an author visit (either
on-line or in person). An additional fee of up to £75 (3 hours at £25 ph) will be available to Lead Readers for events.

Application Process

  • Preference will be given to applicants living and/or working in the Western isles.
  • Please submit a CV including details of publications, experience in community workshop facilitation and any other experience you feel is relevant, together with a short sample of writing (c500 words) to admin@openbookreading.com by 5pm on Friday 22 October. A short list of applicants will be invited for an interview over Zoom.
  • The successful applicant will be expected to be available to attend a short training session (which will be funded) shortly thereafter.
    Please direct any questions relating to the application to admin@openbookreading.com.