THE Next Chapter Award 2019, to support a "talented yet unpublished" writer over the age of 40, has opened for applications.

Run by the Scottish Book Trust, it is designed to support a writer "for whom finding time and space to write has proved especially challenging."

The winner will be offered a £2000 bursary as well as nine months of mentoring from a writer or industry professional, a two-week retreat at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre as well as training in PR, social media and performance and the opportunity to showcase work to publishers and agents.

This is the fifth year of the award.

Gail Honeyman, recipient of the inaugural Next Chapter Award in 2014, went on to sign a seven-figure publishing deal for her debut novel.

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine was published last year and has since became the biggest-selling hardback debut of 2017.

Marc Lambert, chief executive of Scottish Book Trust, said: "This award recognises the specific challenges writers aged 40 and over face, due to other responsibilities that compete with the time and attention they can give to their creative work.

"As well as public recognition, the prize offers specific targeted support to help the awardee develop their work towards publication."

The award is open to poets, novelists, authors of narrative non-fiction and children’s authors who are 40 years of age or above. www.scottishbooktrust.com

THE Firefly Festival is to return to Moniaive in Dumfries and Galloway.

This year's line-up includes The Hoolits, Trongate Rum Riots, Greg Lawson and Pete Garnett and Emma Gillespie.

It is now in its third year.

Gillespie will be performing work from her latest album, Pier Siamese, which was inspired by a four-month road trip from New York to California.

Tim O’Sullivan, who runs the festival venue at the Craigdarroch Arms, said: “Firefly has established itself really quickly as a festival that’s intimate, quirky, high quality and fun.

“The music is fabulous, and very wide-ranging, with a mix of new and familiar performers from across Scotland. And it’s a great way to celebrate the summer in one of the most beautiful spots in Scotland.”

Also appearing will be Rory Mcleod, a former circus clown and fire-eater who is now his own one-man soul band.

More acts are still to be confirmed.

It takes place on July 28 and 29.

www.craigdarrocharmshotel.co.uk

THREE festivals next month will feature the image of The Tumbling Lassie, a 17th century girl who has been adopted by a group of advocates to highlight the evils of modern slavery and people trafficking.

Eric Robertson, an Advocate, and one of seven members of the Faculty of Advocates who make up the Tumbling Lassie Committee, is to lead a discussion, “Slaves in Scotland”, at the Just Festival in St John’s Church, Princes Street, Edinburgh, on 10 August.

At the Edinburgh International Book Festival on 15 August, Alan McLean, QC, Chair of the Tumbling Lassie Committee, will explain the background to the story of the Tumbling Lassie, and novelist Alexander McCall Smith and composer Tom Cunningham will talk about how they have been inspired to write an operetta telling the story.

There will also be a contribution from International Justice Mission (IJM), a charity working in the developing world to help rescue people from slavery.

For five days, 16-20 August, during the Fringe, a Tumbling Lassie operetta will be performed by Edinburgh Studio Opera in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, at Hill Street Theatre, along with another McCall Smith/Cunningham work, Fergus of Galloway.

Known only as “the tumbling lassie”, the girl was “bought” from her mother and used by a travelling showman as a performing gymnast until she fled and was given refuge by a couple.

In 1687, the showman went to court and demanded damages from the couple, but the judges dismissed his claim, and the official report of the case stated: “But we have no slaves in Scotland, and mothers cannot sell their bairns.”

The Tumbling Lassie Committee has raised more than £56,000 for IJM and Community Safety Glasgow’s Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance (TARA).

Alan McLean, QC, said: “Thanks to Sandy McCall Smith, Tom Cunningham and many other generous supporters, the Tumbling Lassie is developing a new life of her own, 330 years after she was declared free by the Court of Session.

"It is very exciting that her story is inspiring so many people and we hope that the results will include raised awareness of the problems today, and more funds for our charities that fight for those who still suffer from modern slavery and people trafficking."

www.tumblinglassie.com

IN Shetland, a showcase of craft and its role in Shetland culture is to begin on July 21.

This programme is part of a new scheme to re-focus the space at Bonhoga towards Applied Art and Craft.

The final showcase will run until 9 September.

It features work from five of Shetland’s designers and makers; including the launch of new contemporary textile collections from Morwenna Garrick and Margaret Hamilton, jewellery and fine applied art pieces from Helen Robertson, Shetland themed ceramics by designer Bill Brown and a bold new collection of homewares and accessories from Julie Williamson.

Running concurrently in the Lower Gallery of Bonhoga, in Weisdale, is an exhibition of work from current students of the BA(Hons) Contemporary Textiles degree course delivered at Shetland College.

www.shetlandarts.org