Ùr-Sgeul in 2010, using limited funding but innovative methods, tries to promote fresh, new exciting Gaelic fiction. Up until recently, there has been a distinct lack of published prose in Gaelic - particularly fiction. Since 2003, when Ùr-Sgeul started, we have been trying to change that. Ùr-Sgeul is an imprint presenting writers such as Màiri Anna NicDhòmhnaill, author of the widely acclaimed 2008 novel, Cleas Sgàthain (Like a Mirror). Other writers include Tormod a' Bhocsair (Tormod Caimbeul), who has produced Shrapnel (published 2006), a stunning and different follow-up to his acclaimed Deireadh an Fhoghair.

Over the next few years, we hope to present and encourage an exciting new range of quality Gaelic fiction.

Currently, in April 2010, there are twenty-six titles. comprising seventeen novels and nine short story volumes. To accompany these, using our limited funds, there have been five new talking books (CD/DVD), and also two collaborative CDs with Na Gathan, marrying rock-music and literature. More in the pipeline, if we can get investment. There is also an exclusive compilation CD (limited edition).

We hope this is just the start. We approached Bòrd na Gàidhlig formally in October 2008, to allow us to employ a full-time editor which would help writers and free up staff to do marketing and other essential tasks.

Put simply, Gaelic prose for adults, with the emphasis on fiction.

At this stage, in 2009, novels have emerged as the dominant strand, along with short stories. There were relatively few novels in the Gaelic language prior to the start of Ur-Sgeul in 2003. Although this is progress, we hope to build upon this, and we also hope that new, complimentary initiatives - in addition to Ur-Sgeul - can be developed to support other genres of Gaelic writing e.g. poetry or autobiography, and that organisations such as Bord na Gaidhlig can support such initiatives.

The Ur-Sgeul effort to promote new Gaelic fiction can be viewed as just one small strand in a potentially rich and varied tapestry of Gaelic literature. With the right support, the potential for development is tremendous.

The Gaelic Books Council are not acting as publishers - we are merely faciliating the project in order to help Gaelic publishers in what is a growing, but nevertheless small, market. CLAR (a Highlands based Gaelic publishing company) are the main publishers.

Do you have a new work of Gaelic prose aimed at adults? Send it to us in confidence. There is no guarantee that it will be published - there are only a limited number of titles in the series and competition is high. However, we guarantee that every script will be considered.

If you wish to submit a script, please send a sample of your proposed work (ideally the equivalent of 3 chapters or 5,000 words - which ever is the greater length) to:

Ur-Sgeul
c/o The Gaelic Books Council
22 Mansfield Street
Glasgow
G11 5QP

Disk (Word Document/PDF) format preferred. Background information also welcome.

Please feel free to contact us for more information, if you wish.

The Gaelic Books Council do, on a day-to-day basis. There is also a small independent advisory committee - three people who bring with them various talents as well as a sound knowledge of Gaelic books and the Gaelic publishing industry. They are: Jo MacDonald of BBC Scotland (former Vice-Chair of the Gaelic Books Council - she has a number of years of experience within Gaelic publishing) Aonghas MacNeacail (the well-known Gaelic bard and broadcaster, originally from Skye, now living in the Borders) and Mark Wringe (a lecturer at the Gaelic college in Skye,Sabhal Mor Ostaig, he also presents the monthly magazine programme Leugh an Leabhar, broadcast on Radio nan Gaidheal)

The project aims to allow the development of talking book - CD format - versions of titles within the series. There may also be an opportunity - where appropriate - to develop e-book version of titles too. Mairead Ross of Edinburgh has been awarded initial responsiblity for the development of this aspect of the project. This, like the contract CLAR were awarded, went out to tender - publishers from throughout Scotland had an opportunity to put in for this contract. Currently, in February 2009, Mairead has overseen 9 talking book CD productions (5 have been published, with the other 4 appearing soon).