Calling Buckinghamshire Creatives: Join Our By Hook or By Book Team
Following the launch of By Hook or By Book, Buckinghamshire Libraries' exciting new reading and cultural engagement programme funded by The National Lottery Fund, we're delighted to announce two paid residency opportunities for local creatives.
As part of a year-long programme celebrating reading, storytelling and culture through the theme of mystery and crime, we're looking for a Writer in Residence and a Portrait Artist in Residence to help bring the project to life in libraries across Buckinghamshire.
By Hook or By Book is Buckinghamshire Libraries' contribution to the National Year of Reading, designed to reignite a love of reading for pleasure. Inspired by the popularity of crime fiction, the most borrowed genre in our libraries, the programme will explore mystery, storytelling, local heritage, folklore and cultural narratives through an exciting programme of events, exhibitions, workshops and performances.
The two residencies will sit at the heart of this cultural programme alongside family theatre productions, talks, exhibitions, reading challenges and community activities. They offer a fantastic opportunity for creative practitioners to engage local communities through storytelling, creativity and culture.
The Residencies
We're looking for:
Writer in Residence
A writer with a specialism in crime fiction and screenwriting to lead workshops exploring crime, mystery and storytelling for the screen across two Buckinghamshire libraries.
Portrait Artist in Residence
An experienced portrait artist, with skills similar to a court portrait artist, to lead sketch portraiture workshops inspired by courtroom portraiture across two Buckinghamshire libraries.
Both residencies will:
- Involve 10 days of workshop delivery over a four-week period, plus 2 days of preparation.
- Be delivered in Buckinghamshire libraries as part of the By Hook or By Book programme.
- Offer a fee of £3,520.10 (excluding travel expenses and workshop materials).
- Require an enhanced DBS certificate.
- Suit experienced workshop facilitators who bring creativity, enthusiasm and their own unique perspective to the project.
The Writer in Residence is expected to deliver workshops during October 2026, with the Portrait Artist in Residence delivering during November 2026, although there is some flexibility around timings.
As part of our commitment to supporting local creative talent, Buckinghamshire residents are particularly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
To apply, please send:
- A one-page CV
- A one-page expression of interest explaining why you're suitable for the role and outlining the workshops you would propose
- Links to examples of your work (and writing samples for the Writer in Residence role)
Please email applications to: [email protected]
Deadline: Friday 14 August 2026
This is a fantastic opportunity to help shape an ambitious cultural programme that celebrates reading, creativity and community. If you're passionate about inspiring others through stories, art and imagination, we'd love to hear from you.
For more information about By Hook or By Book and upcoming activities, keep an eye on Buckinghamshire Libraries' website and social media channels.