Scottish PEN is committed to the promotion of writing and reading in Scotland, and to helping writing from Scotland to become better known throughout the world. Our members are prominent participants in book festivals and events throughout Scotland, and many have contributed importantly to events overseas. The Scottish PEN CD ‘Border Crossings’ showcases Scottish fiction and poetry. Our new CD and online podcasts on the theme ‘Departures and Arrivals’ will be launched in August. Our New Writing page features fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry from PEN members and others.

Over the years we have welcomed many visiting writers from outwith Scotland, and have forged links with writers in many countries. (see http://www.internationalpen.org.uk/ )

As a member of the Literature Forum for Scotland, Scottish PEN collaborates with Scotland’s other literature organisations to foster writing, reading and publishing. It played a part in developing the Forum’s Literature, Nation document and is currently helping to develop new strategies for supporting literature in Scotland.