Writing is a relatively solitary career… but that doesn’t mean you have to pursue it completely alone. There are a wealth of organisations whose sole purpose is to provide writers and artists with advice, funding, networking opportunities, and career development help.
Listed below are literary organisations based in the UK. Some are membership-based, while you can benefit from others for free. Take a look and see if there are any that suit you and your work…
If you want to suggest an addition or correction for this list, you can do so using the Big List Update Form.
Arts Council England
| Region | England |
| For | All Artists |
| Provides | Advice | Funding |
The national development agency for creativity and culture in England. This organisation helps artists of all types to grow skills, knowledge and networks in order to establish the conditions in which creativity and culture can flourish across the country. They are also responsible for distributing lottery funding for the arts.
Creative Scotland
| Region | Scotland |
| For | All Artists |
| Provides | Advice | Funding |
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland. They enable people and organisations to work in and experience these industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. They distribute funding from the Scottish Government and The National Lottery.
The National Association of Writers in Education
[ NAWE Website ]
| Region | UK |
| For | Writers in Education |
| Provides | Advice | Networks | Advocacy |
The mission of this charity is to advocate for Creative Writing in educational settings. They support writers whose work has an educational element, and are constantly working to develop best practises for the teaching of Creative Writing.
The National Centre for Writing
[ National Centre for Writing Website ]
| Region | UK |
| For | All Writers |
| Provides | Advice | Events |
Based in Norwich, the National Centre for Writing celebrates and explores creative writing across a range of genres and forms. The centre helps organise events, workshops, and festivals throughout the year, and has good connections with the world-famous Creative Writing course at the University of East Anglia.
The Royal Society for Literature
[ RSL Website ]
| Region | UK |
| For | All Writers |
| Provides | Networks | Competitions |
This charity, which aims to support the advancement of literature in the UK, was founded in 1820, making it one of the oldest learned societies in the country. The RSL conducts research and outreach, and administers a number of prominent literary competitions.
The Society of Authors
[ Society of Authors Website ]
| Region | UK |
| For | All Writers |
| Provides | Advice | Networks | Funding |
The Society of Authors offers a huge amount of support and guidance for working writers – everything from advice about rates of pay to a free service that will look over publishing contracts. If you’ve published a book (or are just about to) a membership is worth every penny.
New Writing South
| Region | Southeast England |
| For | All Writers |
| Provides | Advice | Networks | Mentoring |
New Writing South aims to support both aspiring and established writers in all genres in the southeast of England. They offer training and mentorship, as well as promoting relevant opportunities and events.
Spread the Word
| Region | London |
| For | All Writers |
| Provides | Advice | Networks | Events |
Spread the Word is London’s writer development agency. As well as engaging in advocacy on behalf of writers, they provide help and advice for writers based in the city. Their goal is to kickstart the careers of London’s best new writers.
Apples and Snakes
| Region | England |
| For | All Poets |
| Provides | Advice | Networks | Events |
The leading spoken word poetry organisation in England. Apples & Snakes does extensive work to promote spoken word as an art form, and to support the work of spoken word poets. As well as regular live events and workshops, they also administer a “Book a Poet” scheme to help match event organisers with performers.