We’re always here to give a community shout-out for indie comics at BF. So please do share this call for help with organising the Selkie Awards for Scottish comics and get in touch if we can help you with anything similar.
Selkie Awards seek volunteer Deputy Organisers
The Selkie Awards for Scottish comics are looking for potential volunteer Deputy Organisers to join the organisational team.
The Selkie Awards are an annual event dedicated to celebrating independent Scottish comics. Every July, creators based in Scotland can submit any comics created in the past year to the award’s five categories: Best Short Comic, Best Graphic Novel, Best Narrative, Best Art, and Up and Coming Talent. Five comics are shortlisted for each category, with an exhibition taking place in Edinburgh to celebrate the works. The final winners are then announced in an online ceremony.
Currently, the awards are run by a one-person team, and it’s hoped that bringing in Deputy Organisers will ensure their long-term continuation. Founder Cara Gaffney said, “Running the Selkies for the last two years has been rewarding – and challenging! It was always the intention to make sure they weren’t dependent on a single person, I’m hopeful that, with some additional hands on deck, we can keep them going for many years to come.”
She added, “We’re open to applications from people outwith Scotland – if you’re excited about indie comics and are willing to contribute some free time, please consider applying!”
Since their inception, the Selkies have been celebrated for their part in raising the profile of the Scottish independent comics scene. Small Press Scotland’s Eve Greenwood said, “Scotland has been in desperate need for recognition of its talented independent comic creators and the Selkies couldn’t be a better response. In its short existence so far, the award has managed to highlight a huge range of genres and styles, proving just how varied Scottish comics can be.”
2024 Best Narrative winner Tom Humberstone said, “Winning an award that was judged on by our peers was incredibly validating and meant a lot to both Chrissy Williams and myself. It has not only helped us recognise that people were enjoying and appreciating our work, the award has given us credibility. Having award recognition helps massively with other opportunities including approaching larger publishers and applying for arts funding.”
The Deputy Organisers would contribute to all aspects of the awards, including managing social media, liaising with shortlisting and final judging teams, and organising the annual exhibition.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the role, you can find the full details on the Selkies website: https://selkieawards.org/volunteer
The third Selkie Awards will open for nominations on 1 July 2026. You can keep up with the latest awards news on Bluesky and Instagram.
