SCOTTISH Book Trust has announced the recipient of this year’s Next Chapter Award.
Clarkston-based Sumayya Usmani recently turned to narrative writing after having started out writing cookbooks.
Originally from Karachi, Pakistan, Usmani practised law for 12 years before taking up writing professionally, seeking to touch the hearts of Asian readers and inspire others through personal and human stories of food, culture and history.
She has written two cookbooks on Pakistani culture – Summers Under the Tamarind Tree, which won the Gourmand Award for Best First Cookbook, and Mountain Berries and Desert Spice, which was shortlisted for the Food and Travel Awards.
Usmani is currently working on a food memoir, Andaza, about her upbringing on merchant navy vessels and in Pakistan. The book is set against the backdrop of political unrest and challenges in the country during the 1980s. She additionally runs Kaleyard, Glasgow’s first non-profit social enterprise cook school. Usmani said: “I’m honoured to win this award and thank Scottish Book Trust for this incredible opportunity. Winning has not only given me confidence in my writing but also reinforced my belief that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.
“This award will act as a stepping stone to a lifelong career as a narrative writer.”
The Next Chapter Award is aimed at writers aged over 40 who wish to develop a specific piece of work to publication standard. Applicants must demonstrate genuine potential for publication. The award will provide Usmani with a £2000 bursary and nine months of mentoring and online training.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “The Next Chapter Award supports writers aged over 40 because we recognise that it is never too late to pick up a pen and write that dream novel. Congratulations to Sumayya from all of us at Scottish Book Trust.
“We look forward to your memoir about your incredible story, and we hope it inspires others to write about their own experiences.”
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