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  4. Become a volunteer reader

If you’re more of a reader than a writer, you can still get involved with this year’s Words of the Wild nature writing competition.

We’re looking for volunteer readers (English, Scots and Gaelic) that can help with the longlisting process for this year’s competition. If you love reading nature writing and are keen to help read and score some of the entries, we’d love to hear from you!

This flexible volunteering opportunity can be done from home and is ideal for those who enjoy reading a wide range of writing styles (fiction, non-fiction and poetry). No previous experience is necessary (a guidance document will be provided) but readers must be able to commit to reading 20 entries (up to 1,000 words each) and submit a score (between 1-10) for each original work before the end of July 2025. For a sense of what to expect, you can read the shortlist from last year’s competition here.

Interested in applying?

Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer reader. Your input will help us to compile this year’s longlist which will be sent on to our panel of judges for shortlisting and ultimately selecting the winners. If you would like to apply to join the Words of the Wild volunteer reading panel, please read the further information in the tabs below before completing the application form.

A logo which reads, "Words of the Wild: From source to sea". The word "wild" is designed in the colours of freshwater and marine habitats.

  • Each entry into the Words of the Wild competition will be read and scored by at least three people during the longlisting process.
  • Entries will be anonymised and assigned a unique code before being sent to readers to ensure a fair and unbiased process.
  • Volunteer readers will be emailed a digital file (PDF) containing 20 anonymised entries in the language(s) specified. Entries may be a mix of adult and junior writing.
  • Each entry must be assigned a score of between 1 (being the lowest) and 10 (being the highest) and submitted via an online recording form (a link for which will be provided when entries are sent) along with a short (eg 20-30 words) description justifying your score.
  • Scores can be submitted via the form as soon as you have read an entry – you do not need to upload all scores at the same time.
  • All scores must be submitted no later than midnight on 31 July. If, having received your entries, you are unexpectedly unable to meet this deadline, please contact us at your earliest convenience by emailing communications@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk.
  • Your scores are added to those from other readers for an entry, and the combined scores are used to select the longlisted entries. The accompanying descriptions help us to understand how you assigned scores and can be very helpful at this stage of the process.
  • Readers must be mindful that entrants will have put considerable time and effort into writing their entries. Each entry should be given it’s due attention. We recommend taking a short break after reading and scoring each entry.
  • Some entries may contain upsetting or distressing content.
  • When reviewing Junior entries, please take the author’s age into account when scoring.
  • When reviewing entries, the following questions should be asked:
    • Do you consider this work to be a piece of Scottish nature writing? If the answer is no, please select ‘Does not qualify’ on the reporting form and enter a short description as to why.
    • Do you consider this work to be within the competition theme of ‘From source to sea’? If the answer is no, please select ‘Does not qualify’ on the reporting form and enter a short description as to why.
    • Did this piece of writing engage you as a reader?
    • Does the author demonstrate originality and creativity in their writing?
    • Did this piece of writing provide inspiration and/or escapism?
    • Did this piece of writing evoke an emotional response?
  • If entries contain fictional animals or plants, are about livestock or pets, or have no connection to Scotland, please select ‘Does not qualify’ on the reporting form and enter a short description as to why.
  • Entries should not be judged on spelling or grammar.

Volunteer readers must be at least 18 years of age and be fluent in the languages indicated on their application form.

As a volunteer reader you must agree to the following:

  1. You are not eligible to enter the Words of the Wild nature writing competition yourself.
  2. You will undertake the judging process as described above, submitting all scores by midnight on 31 July 2025.
  3. You will not share or in any way distribute the reading material with which you are provided.
  4. You are happy to receive entries as a digital file via email and submit scores via an online recording form.
  5. You will let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to meet the obligations of being a volunteer reader so that we can appoint an alternative reader in your place.
  6. That your contact details will be held in accordance with the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Privacy Notice.

Should you require any additional support to fulfil your obligations as a volunteer reader, please contact us by emailing communications@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Apply today

 

Name(Required)
Which languages are you happy to read and score?(Required)
Note that reader descriptions must be submitted in English.
Please confirm that you have read, understood and agree to the Terms and Conditions of being a volunteer reader.(Required)
Are you happy to be contacted about other flexible volunteering opportunities with the Scottish Wildlife Trust?(Required)

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