First Scottish Books International Manager Appointed

We are thrilled to announce that Sasha de Buyl has been appointed as Manager of Scottish Books International, a new service launched by the Book Festival and Publishing Scotland, supported by Creative Scotland. Scottish Books International is dedicated to the international promotion of Scottish books, writers, festivals and organisations.

Representing a key recommendation from Creative Scotland’s Literature and Publishing Sector Review, the new service will commence on Monday 3 December 2018 as Sasha begins in role.  Her work will focus on the development of a strategic plan for international activity, helping increase visibility for authors and organisations abroad and strengthening the financial stability of the sector. The role will be hosted at Publishing Scotland and the Book Festival but will be independent of the two organisations with a national remit for the global promotion of Scotland’s literature.

Mairi Kidd, Interim Head of Literature, Languages & Publishing, Creative Scotland, said:

“This new role responds to the appetite within the literature sector for a strategic and co-ordinated approach to showcasing and championing Scotland’s writers, publishers and festivals overseas. Sasha brings huge experience in this area, having co-ordinated the literature strand of the Momentum international delegate programme, which brings together curators, funders, producers and programmers from all over the world to immerse themselves in Edinburgh’s unrivalled August Festivals season.

“Momentum demonstrates the huge appeal of Scottish literature internationally and the teams at Creative Scotland look forward to supporting Sasha to capitalise on this potential to the benefit of artists and organisations across the country.”

On being appointed as Scottish Books International Manager, Sasha de Buyl commented:

“I’m thrilled to be taking on this role at Scottish Books International, and excited to act as Scottish writing’s keenest advocate. From our emergent voices to our established writers, Scotland’s writing has a depth and talent that has the potential to reach and connect with a large and diverse international audience.

“Our writers, publishers, literary organisations and festivals boast world leaders among their ranks, and this role will help work together to achieve the strongest possible impact with our international programmes.”

Marion Sinclair, CEO of Publishing Scotland, said: 

“On behalf of the publishing sector I’d like to welcome Sasha to the new role. Her grasp of the books sector, enthusiasm, ideas, and drive will be great assets in taking Scottish Books International to the first phase of its life, serving writers, publishers, festivals and literary organisations, and providing a front for the promotion of Scottish books internationally.

“The team at Publishing Scotland are looking forward to working together with Sasha, the steering group, and the Edinburgh International Book Festival to take SBI to the next level.”

Book Festival Director Nick Barley, said:

“Scotland has always enjoyed a strong international reputation for its literature but now is the time for a strategic, coordinated approach. Having spent several years building a formidable network of contacts, Sasha is perfectly placed to work with Publishing Scotland and the Book Festival to create a service that makes the most of existing links, and helps forge new strategic partnerships between Scottish literature and the world. Sasha’s appointment represents a significant boost for our ambition to get more Scottish writers on the international stage.”