Join the Cymera Board

Cymera: Scotland’s Festival of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Writing is seeking up to three trustees to strengthen and diversify our board.

Cymera Festival is an annual celebration of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror (SFFH) writing that aims to celebrate the enjoyment of those genres by bringing together writers and readers from Scotland and beyond, to share ideas, create stories and nurture imaginations.

Cymera is the first of its kind in the UK, and the first festival was held in 2019 at the Pleasance, Edinburgh.

The festival team curates a diverse and inclusive programme of literary events with speakers from both Scotland and further afield. In a mixture of free and ticketed events, the Cymera programme features workshops, talks and debates as well as offering social events such as a quiz. Cymera now hosts over 50 in-person and digital events over three festival days, and is growing its year-round activity.  

As the festival is maturing, we are seeking enthusiastic and committed individuals to bring new ideas and knowledge to our board. Experience in running or programming a book festival is not needed – we are looking for individuals who share our love of stories of any genre, and our belief in the power of sharing those stories.

We are especially, but not exclusively, interested in people who bring knowledge of one or more of the following areas:

  • Audience Development

  • Social Media

  • Fundraising

  • Marketing and/or Publicity

  • Working with Children & Young People

  • Equalities / Access / Inclusion

  • Environmental Sustainability

  • Legal / HR

Trustees attend up to eight board meetings a year, as well as the AGM in November/December each year. These meetings are one to two hours long and usually take place in the early evening.

Attendance of the festival or other Cymera events is not compulsory.

All meetings are held via Zoom. While the festival takes place in Edinburgh, we welcome applications from further afield.

No previous Board experience is necessary.

If you are interested but would like to know more about what is involved, please join us for an online Q&A session on Monday 21st August at 8pm (BST). Please register here if you would like to join this session.

If you are unable to make this date, we are happy to have informal conversations with any potential candidates - please get in touch.

We particularly encourage applications from those who have been or are historically underrepresented on boards due to age, disability, ethnicity, faith or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, education, socio-economic background, or those with caring responsibilities. Candidates who may not think they fit the typical criteria required for Board membership, but who are inspired to contribute to our work, are warmly encouraged to apply.

Board membership is entirely voluntary but basic expenses will be paid.

Cymera is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) and our governing document can be accessed here

HOW TO APPLY

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 31st August 2023 at 8pm.

To apply, please send us a short, written statement (approx. 500 words) or a 2 - 3 minute video message outlining why you are interested in the role, and the skills and experience you would be able to contribute as a Trustee. Please also include your CV.

Please send this to board@cymerafestival.co.uk by the deadline.

If we’re able to take your application forward, we will invite you for a conversation with at least two fellow Trustees and the Chair of the Board during the weeks of 4th or 11th September 2023. This will take place via Zoom, and will give you a chance to meet potential fellow trustees and get a feel for us and the festival.

If all parties decide that it’s a good fit, we will invite you to join the Board where you will be legally enrolled as a Trustee/Director of Cymera: Scotland’s Festival of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Writing.

If you have any questions about the application process, the Board or the work of our organisation, please contact Festival Director and Chair of the Board Ann Landmann on info@cymerafestival.co.uk

Find out more about us on our Social Media on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

You can also browse our previous festival programmes on our website: our first festival in 2019, our 2020 digital Covid response, our second digital festival in 2021, the return to in-person in 2022 and our fifth festival in 2023.