As a part of Bloomsbury Publishing, which has stated its commitment to inform, educate, entertain and inspire readers of all ages and backgrounds [read here], Writers & Artists is proud to make a number of opportunities available to underrepresented and low-income writers and illustrators.
Our 2024 bursary scheme is there to help ensure that everything W&A offers – events, writing courses and editing services – is accessible to all, and amounts to a combined total of £4,000. Click here for more information, including eligibility criteria and details of how to apply. Read testimonials from W&A bursary recipients
"I now feel like I am armed with all the tools needed to take the next steps in my journey."
Greater accessibility will lead to greater diversity and inclusion in the books of tomorrow, giving a voice to authors and illustrators who may not otherwise have been heard. Their stories are essential if inequality and systemic racism is to be left behind and, as a standard-bearer within UK publishing for over a century, it is imperative that Writers & Artists takes our share of responsibility for making sure doors remain open, not closed.
If you would like to discuss our bursary initiative, work alongside us, or have a suggestion about ways we can improve things further, then please contact us on AccessWA@bloomsbury.com
W&A: Accessibility and Partnerships
An overview of the measures we have in place to make sure all aspects of the writing and publishing guidance that we have on offer is inclusive, and of benefit to all.
Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook and Children’s Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook:
- Both Yearbooks provide a fiercely independent and objective overview of the publishing industry. Find out more about our Yearbooks
- W&A does not accept payment for inclusion within either our Yearbooks or our online Listings subscriptions. Each entry is objectively assessed and considered for inclusion by our editorial team, with this process taking place on an annual basis. To contact our editorial team about being listed, click here
W&A Online:
- Creating an account with www.writersandartists.co.uk is absolutely free and links you to an engaged community of writers and illustrators…
- … as well as a wealth of advice articles on the creative and publishing process
- Create your free W&A account
W&A Online: Competitions:
- Our writing competitions remain free to enter
- Our Working Class Writers’ Prize rewards emerging talent from low income households
- Where possible, W&A competition prizes come in the form of invaluable writing advice from established authors or publishing industry professionals
W&A Editing Services:
- Our bursary scheme is in place to offer financial assistance to writers and/or illustrators from underrepresented backgrounds and/or low income households. Bursaries are currently available for our Opening Chapters service and Beat the Rejection Consultations. Please visit each service page to view the service outline and to find out whether bursaries remain available. For eligibility criteria and details about how to apply click here
- Please note also that payment instalment plans are available for all W&A events, writing courses and editing services. Contact W&A Admin so that we can find a payment schedule that works for you
W&A Events and Writing Courses:
- We remain committed to speakers from all backgrounds appearing at our wide range of events and writing courses
- Each year we run a select number of low-priced 'lunchtime learning' or standard evening masterclasses designed both to offer creative support for low-income writers and to raise awareness for underrepresented groups. 100% of proceeds from each of these sessions will be donated to a chosen charity
- Our bursary scheme is in place to offer financial assistance to writers and/or illustrators from underrepresented backgrounds and/or low income households. Bursary places are available for a number of our 2024 events and courses, but please visit individual event/course page to check availability and application deadlines, then click here for eligibility criteria and details about how to apply
- Please note also that payment instalment plans are available for all W&A events, writing courses and editing services. Contact W&A Admin so that we can find a payment schedule that works for you
W&A Events: Partnerships:
- When partnering with universities to offer one-day conferences, W&A offer 20 free places to students (and at a discounted price thereafter)
- All events held in partnership with the Open University allow OU students to attend at a heavily discounted rate
- We continue to hold events held in association with literary charities such as Book Aid International and Literature Works, with a percentage of ticket sales donated to each organisation accordingly
- 'Local writer' discounts are circulated on a postcode basis to writing groups and organisations ahead of all in-situ events, which we hope to continue running across the UK once it becomes possible to do so
- Please contact us on events@writersandartists.co.uk if you'd like to discuss event partnership possibilities, or if you would like your organisation to be considered for 'local writer' discounting
W&A Events: Nominated Booksellers:
- We've changed the way we work in order to feature an independent bookstore as a nominated bookseller for each of our events
- Please visit individual event pages to find examples of nominated booksellers, or contact us on events@writersandartists.co.uk if you're a bookseller interested in finding out more
Please note, in order to ensure that as many writers and illustrators as possible can make the most of our bursary opportunities, we do not accept applications for financial assistance for an event, course or service from people who have received financial assistance from W&A within the last year. Once a year has passed since you received financial assistance from us, please do feel free to apply again. Furthermore, those who’ve applied for financial assistance and haven’t previously been successful will be prioritised when reviewing applications.