Useful Organisations No.44
It promotes books, reading and writing for young people, by authors and illustrators living in Scotland. BRAW’s aims are:
• to provide free, accessible, and independent quality advice and information on children’s authors and their work
• to create a network of links with other key resource organisations in the children’s literature sector
• to support the practice of writers and illustrators by offering professional development opportunities and audience development initiatives
• to run author tours and events, exhibitions and readership development promotions
• to support other literature-based initiatives, festivals and projects in order to promote children’s literature.
BRAW’s new website – a comprehensive guide to contemporary authors and illustrators for children resident in Scotland and their books – was launched in February this year. Features include a searchable database of over 900 books as well as comprehensive advice on reading and writing for schools and libraries.
Activities for 2006 include the management of the Royal Mail Awards for Scottish Children’s Books (formerly the Scottish Arts Council Children’s Book of the Year), whereby over 1,000 kids from every area in Scotland will vote for their favourite Scottish books in three age group categories. The BRAW project runs within Scottish Book Trust and is funded by the National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council.
