Join us at the Tolbooth in Stirling for a live literary showcase and our annual prizegiving, inspired by this year’s theme, Reflections, and hosted by poet Len Pennie.
The writing awards give new and experienced writers an opportunity to be recognised for work exploring mental health. Writers from across Scotland have been selected from nearly 250 entries spanning fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction. Shortlisted writers will be invited to read their work on the night, and their pieces will be published in a new collection featuring illustrations by local artist David Galletly.
The evening will also feature live music and spoken-word performances, bringing writers, artists and audiences together to celebrate creativity and the many ways writing can illuminate our experiences of mental health.
The event will be followed by a reception in the Tolbooth café bar.
Line-Up
Len Pennie
Len Pennie is a poet who writes in both Scots and English. She writes passionately about the promotion of minoritised languages, survivors of domestic abuse and the destigmatisation of mental illness. Her two poetry collections poyums and poyums annaw were instant Sunday Times bestsellers. poyums won Scots Book of the Year in 2024 and was the winner of the British Book Awards Discover Book of the Year in 2025.
Photo by Katherine Anne Rose
Joe Goodall
Joe Goodall is an indie-pop artist from Stirling whose introspective songwriting has drawn comparisons to Sam Fender, James Bay and The 1975. Recognised as “one of Scotland’s most exciting prospects”, he has sold out King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut and supported artists including The Kooks and McFly. Alongside festival appearances up and down the country, Joe has released a string of singles in the lead-up to his second EP. Mental health is a cause close to his heart, shaped by his own experiences with anxiety and depression and the loss of his grandad to suicide. He has worked with organisations including Andy’s Man Club and is proud to bring his music to this event.
Photo by Hope Simmers
Natalie Jayne Clark
Natalie Jayne Clark is a neurodivergent writer and producer based in Perth, Scotland. Her debut novel, The Malt Whisky Murders (2025, Poygon, Birlinn), was shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize, longlisted for both the Saltire Scottish Fiction Book of the Year and the Crime Writers’ Association First Novel Dagger, and was selected as one of Waterstones Scottish Paperbacks of the Year. Natalie was shortlisted as one of The List UK’s Best Rising Scottish Authors 2026. She is a co-founder and co-host of Howl, a monthly open mic and writers community in Perth held at the iconic arts venue Osteria Bau Bau.
Photo by Jack Hinks
Freedom of Mind Community Choir
Freedom Of Mind Community Choir sing to feel good!. Founded in 2015, this non-audition choir for adults in/near Falkirk has priority places for those with lived experience of mental ill health
Illustrator
David Galletly
David Galletly is an illustrator and graphic designer. His clients include Begg x Co, Innis & Gunn, NHS, Pringle 1815, Glasgow Film, WIRED, and The Hollywood Reporter. Alongside client work, David exhibits original artwork in solo and group shows in the UK and overseas. David is also the Art Director for Lost Map Records, an independent record label based on the Isle of Eigg. After 8 years of living and working in Glasgow, David returned to Stirling, his hometown, where he built his new studio in the Creative Stirling hub.
