Below are some organisations that are worth engaging with for many aspects of a writing career; from contract vetting and legal advice, to literary events and story development.
It’s a solitary life as a writer, which for some is one of the perks, but knowing where to turn to for that extra support when times are tough is vital. Here are some UK-based organisations Jamie regularly engages with or can recommend from experience. If you have any suggestions for others or would like to be listed, please get in touch.
Spread the Word
Greater London
Spread the Word is London’s writer development agency, funded by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO). They provide high quality, low cost opportunities for writers to improve their craft and develop their careers.
Read more HERE.
New Writing North
Cleveland, Durham, Humberside, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Yorkshire
New Writing North is funded to develop reading and writing activity in the North of England. Most of their projects are focused on the North East of England where they are based. Since 2012 Arts Council England has funded New Writing North to expand into the wider North area (the North West and Yorkshire and Humberside).
Read more HERE.
New Writing Cumbria
Cumbria
A network for writers and readers all over Cumbria – advice, advocacy, information, support, and resources.
Read more HERE.
Commonword
Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside
A writing development organisation based in Manchester, providing opportunities for new and aspiring writers to develop their talent and potential. The largest new writing, community writing and publishing organisation in the North West, working on regional, national and international levels, promoting new writing and helping new writers become more successful.
Read more HERE.
Writing West Midlands
Hereford & Worcester, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands
Writing West Midlands evolved from the work of the Birmingham Book Festival, established in 1999. The organisation is now the literature development agency for the region. They achieved National Portfolio Organisation status from the Arts Council in 2012.
Read more HERE.
Writing East Midlands
Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire
Writing East Midlands is the writer development agency for the region, running creative writing events and developing opportunities for emerging and established writers. They work with a range of cultural organisations to encourage relationships between writers and communities.
Read more HERE.
Writers’ Centre Norwich
Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk
Writers’ Centre Norwich is a literature development agency based in Norwich, England’s first UNESCO City of Literature. Their mission is to explore the artistic and social impact of creative writing through pioneering and collaborative projects regionally, nationally and internationally.
Read more HERE.
Literature Works
Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire
Literature Works is the strategic literature development charity for South West England. They are a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England. They support the regional literature sector in all its contexts, for everyone, for all ages, and that sector’s place, growth, relevance and value in a national and international literature development future.
Read more HERE.
New Writing South
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, West Sussex.
New Writing South is the creative writing hub in south-east England, dedicated to inspiring, nurturing and connecting all kinds of excellent creative writers. Their community embraces those who are professional, mid-career, emerging or just starting out; and includes all writing crafts.
Read more HERE.
JAMIE RHODES 