Words by Cheyanne Bryan
This one is for the writers!
The Amazon Literary Partnership has announced the non-profit literary organisations that will receive grants for 2024, reaffirming its commitment to supporting writers at all ages and stages of their creative journeys. This year, the partnership is expanding its reach to the Republic of Ireland, providing support to more organisations than ever, with a total of 37 organisations set to receive grants across
Here is a brief overview of each of the organisations receiving grants for 2024:
The Africa Writes festival is a biennial celebration of contemporary literature from Africa and its diaspora, organised by the Royal African Society in collaboration with the British Library.
The Royal African Society (RAS) is a membership organisation that fosters connections and critical engagement with diverse topics related to contemporary Africa. With events, publications, and digital platforms, RAS promotes understanding between the UK and Africa across various sectors, including academia, business, and culture.
ArtfulScribe supports writers and promotes writing in Hampshire and Dorset by organising showcases, workshops, live literature events, and publications.They offer a range of creative and literary writing programmes which can help green writers find their feet in the field, while being supported by various partners across the South.
As a registered charitable company for over fifty years, Arvon has been the UK's hub for creative writing, featuring four locations in Devon, Shropshire, Yorkshire, and a virtual offering, Arvon at Home. They provide diverse courses and retreats led by renowned writers, covering everything from poetry to screenwriting, with grants available for those needing financial assistance.
Well known independent publisher, Comma Press specialises in short fiction and innovative literature. Founded to uplift underrepresented voices, it showcases a diverse array of authors and highlights storytelling that addresses contemporary issues and cultural themes. The publisher hosts a wide variety of projects, including anthologies, translations, and artistic collaborations, enriching the literary scene.
Creative Future focuses on empowering creative individuals, underrepresented artists, and communities that encounter barriers and inequalities in access to opportunities. As an arts organisation and charity, they run creative development sessions that foster self-expression, reflection, realisation, mindfulness, and actualisation.
The Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust is a charity focused on literature, advocacy, and international collaboration. With the belief that literature enriches lives and fosters a deeper understanding of ourselves and our community at their core, the organisation has worked hard over the past 17 years to provide opportunities for writers and literature professionals through paid commissions and support for their creative endeavours.
English PEN is one of the oldest human rights organisations in the world, dedicated to promoting the freedom to write and read globally. As the founding centre of PEN International, which includes 130 centres in over 90 countries, their work relies on a community of writers, readers, and activists to defend freedom of expression.
Based in Ireland, Fighting Words offers free programs and mentoring in creative writing and related arts to as many children, young adults, and adults with additional needs as possible.. Their programs are offered free of charge at various locations throughout Ireland.
Similar to their sister company, Fighting Words Northern Ireland has been a catalyst for creativity in Belfast and beyond, offering more than 14,000 creative writing opportunities for schools, youth groups, and young writers aged 6 to 18. Conducting hundreds of free Storymaking Workshops, Write Club Meetings, and special projects, all made possible by dedicated volunteer mentors.
First Story was founded to address the unequal distribution of access to quality cultural education across the country and within educational settings. Through collaboration with teachers, professional writers, and others to create opportunities for under-served young people to engage in enriching creative writing activities.
With the aim to support and uplift queer, feminist, and marginalised writers, For Books’ Sake runs a nationwide program of live events, workshops, retreats, and other initiatives, helping them enhance their writing skills, build confidence, and foster community.
Graffiti Theatre Company believes every child deserves the right to access culture and explore the world through the arts. Through fostering young people's curiosity and imagination to enhance their lives, they honour the voices of all children and young people and prioritise inclusion.
Managing the Granta magazine under their belt, Granta Trust, is a charitable organisation dedicated to fostering new and emerging writing. The Trust depends on donations from individuals and cultural institutions to sustain its efforts, and we are sincerely thankful to all our supporters.
Hosking Houses assists established women writers, artists, and creative practitioners, typically over the age of 40, who encounter various challenges in the ongoing development of their work. No matter what the challenges that are faced such as personal, domestic, financial, or political, but primarily offered through short-term residencies and, when appropriate and feasible, bursaries.
Founded in 2020 by Michelle and Andrew Allen, Ironclad Creative CIC provides a supportive environment for writers, artists, and theatre-makers to connect, learn about the art business, and enhance their skills.
As part of Kernow Education Arts Partnership (KEAP), an arts education charity focussing on creative writing and literature through the arts. Majority of their work is delivered through The Writers’ Block, an immersive creative writing space where we champion the writer in everyone.
Operating bilingually in Welsh and English across the country, Literature Wales manages, funds and implements a literary program throughout Wales, focusing on inspiring communities through literature, nurturing writers' skills and talents, and celebrating the rich literary culture of Wales.
Committed to diversity, Literature Works assists writers at every stage of their careers by connecting them with opportunities and empowering them to thrive. Through workshops, writing courses, talent development programs, seed funding, and by commissioning writing professionals to engage with communities.
Ministry of Stories champions the writer in every child, with their instrumental mission to help young people discover their confidence, imagination and potential through the power of their writing.
The National Centre for Writing is a contemporary literature house located in England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, dedicated to harnessing the transformative power of stories for personal, social, and community development. Based in Norwich and accessible to a global audience, it serves as a writing development agency with a broad local, national, and international presence.
New Writing North plays a leading role in advancing creative writing and reading in the North of England. Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, the organisation has been creating nationally significant work since it was founded in 1996.
A bit of a different literary track, Papatango is an Olivier Award-winning theatre company that champions the next generation of talented playwrights, particularly those who may not have traditional pathways into the theatre industry. Their opportunities are free, accessible to all, and assessed anonymously.
In nearly 25 years since its founding, The Queen’s University of Belfast Foundation has focused on generating philanthropic support for the university's capital development programs and academic initiatives from private individuals, charitable trusts, and corporations.
Known for its dedication to all forms of writing, The Royal Society of Literature (RSL) is a charity led by writers, the organisation believes in the importance of all literature and strives to ensure that everyone has access to books, working with schools and prisons to promote this goal.
The organisation is a national charity that believes in the transformative power of books, reading, and writing. Scottish Book Trust holds that a love of reading fosters creativity, enhances employment opportunities, and promotes mental health and well-being, serving as one of the most effective means to help break the cycle of poverty.
As a national charity, Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage believes in the transformative power of books, reading, and writing. It holds that a love of reading fosters creativity, enhances employment opportunities, and promotes mental health and well-being.
With a deep love for creative writing, shared reading, and various creative methods to combat social isolation, Sharing A Story CIC’s primary goal is to empower individuals to engage in creative expression in a manner that feels right for them, within a safe and supportive environment. The organisation emphasises that there is no wrong or right way to be creative.
The Society of Authors (SoA) is the UK’s largest trade union representing all types of writers, illustrators, and literary translators at every stage of their careers. It has been providing advice to individuals and advocating for the profession for over a century.
This community-led, intergenerational initiative is connecting people to each other, themselves and their memories.
Swanwick Writers' Summer School has captivated participants for 75 years and is recognised as the longest-running residential writers' school in the world. Every August, more than 200 published and unpublished writers from diverse genres gather for a week to rekindle old friendships and forge new connections.
The Bridport Prize is recognised as one of the most prestigious awards in the literary world, attracting a diverse range of writers. The prize welcomes submissions in poetry, short stories, flash fiction, novels, and memoirs, with a strong commitment to discovering creative writing talent globally. Many writers have successfully launched their careers through the prize, achieving spots on best-seller lists.
A not-for-profit social enterprise and community interest company dedicated to fostering inclusive communities. Faraway empowers autistic individuals to raise awareness about autism in their local areas and assists communities in providing accessible services for everyone.
Home of the The Literature Prize Foundation, the prize is open to all works of literature written in English and published in the UK. All genres and forms of literature are eligible, with the exception of works primarily aimed at children. What sets this prize apart is that it is judged by members of the esteemed 350-strong Folio Academy, which includes distinguished writers and critics.
Their programs emphasise reading and writing while also aiming to boost children's self-esteem as learners and their resilience in facing academic challenges. Local children, parents, teachers, and volunteers recognised the need for a more adventurous approach to learning in Hackney, leading to the creation of The Hackney Pirates.
Affectionately nicknamed The Bookie, they organise an annual festival with workshops, walks, and courses throughout town. Initially attracting just 80 attendees, the Bookie now welcomes 4,000 visitors each year.
Through engaging exhibitions, gallery spaces, events, and outreach initiatives, The Story Museum honours stories in all their forms and examines their lasting ability to educate and inspire.
Writing East Midlands serves as the literature development agency for the region, supporting writers at all stages of their careers by connecting them with opportunities and fostering self-sufficiency. The agency conducts workshops and writing courses, facilitates mentoring relationships and manuscript appraisals, provides one-on-one career development sessions, and organises conferences and events throughout the region.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
National Literacy Trust. This is an independent charity working with schools and communities to give children the literacy skills to succeed in life. Find out more.
The Children’s Literacy Charity. This charity aims to close the literacy gap for all disadvantaged children, enabling them to achieve their true potential. Find out more here.
The World Literacy Foundation. This organisation is on a mission to ensure that every child has the opportunity to acquire literacy skills and books to reach their full potential. Support them here.
