Writer Ian Collins reflects on the life and legacy of Ronald Blythe - whose royalties now support writers through the Royal Literary Fund.
Read more: www.rlf.org.uk/posts/blythe-spirit-ian-...
Introducing the RLF's grant categories, designed to support writers across various circumstances.
From short-term need to long-term support, our aim is to provide stability when it is most needed.
For more information on eligibility, please visit the RLF website: https://bit.ly/4cpeuoz
Balancing multiple roles isn’t easy. In our last Making Writing Work webinar, panelist Emily Itami discussed how she "code-switches" between teaching, admin, and creative work.
Want to be a part of the conversation? Our next free webinar is tomorrow. Register now: https://www.rlf.org.uk/webinar
📚 My Writing Life with Jesse Armstrong ✍️
Creator of Succession and award-winning screenwriter, Armstrong reflects on his writing life.
Read more: www.rlf.org.uk/posts/my-writing-life-je...
In our recent webinar, Karen McCarthy Woolf discussed ongoing industry challenges, including inequality and fees that have not kept pace with inflation.
Join the next session: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_n604...
Some books don’t just entertain us - they stay with us 📚
As we celebrate the National Year of Reading, we’re reflecting on the stories that continue to inspire writers and readers alike.
Read more: www.rlf.org.uk/posts/on-the-books-that-...
In our first Making Writing Work webinar, Emily Itami spoke to host Nick Ahad about building a writing career and how Elizabeth Gilbert’s advice prepared her for the reality.
Join our next session: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_n604...
In part one of our Making Writing series, Derek reflects on being a children’s author and balancing writing alongside a 9–5 — where creativity brings fulfilment, even if it doesn’t replace a primary income.
Join part two on Tuesday 21 April at 6pm GMT: https://www.rlf.org.uk/webinar
In our first webinar, Emily Itami shared her thoughts on the ups and downs of a writer's life, alongside host Nick Ahad and fellow writers Derek Keilty and Karen McCarthy Woolf.
Watch the full webinar via our YouTube Channel or register our second FREE webinar here: https://bit.ly/4s41p8N
🎧 Collected Podcasts:
🎙 Episode 504: Katharine Quarmby is in conversation with Jonathan Tulloch. The episode also features work from Karl Whitney and Rosie Fiore-Burt.
🎙 Episode 505: Hugo Williams is in conversation with Julia Copus.
Listen to both podcasts here: https://podcast.rlf.org.uk/
Our first Making Writing Work webinar unpacked the financial realities of being a writer 📚
With average incomes for writers around £7,000 and only around half of writers earn primarily from writing.
Join our next webinar on 21 April, register here: https://bit.ly/4s41p8N
📚 My Writing Life with Dorothy Koomson ✍️
The award-winning author of 23 novels reflects on the moments that have shaped her writing journey. Her latest novel, The Quiet Girls, is out now ✨
Read more: https://bit.ly/47NDGCq
The UK government has today published a Copyright and Artificial Intelligence report outlining that it is moving away from the proposed copyright exception for AI training, widely rejected by the creative industries.
Read more 👇
From first draft to final edits: Abigail Avis on writing Wet Ink ✍️
In this four-part series, Abigail Avis shares the behind-the-scenes story of writing 'Wet Ink', her debut book club novel (February 2027), while navigating deadlines and joys of early parenthood.
📖 Read more: https://bit.ly/4sk0Poo
📚 My Writing Life with Michael Symmons Roberts ✍️
Award-winning poet, novelist, and librettist Michael Symmons Roberts shares the books, mentors, and moments that have shaped his writing life.
Read his full reflections via the link: https://bit.ly/4s7gqHS
🎧 Collected Podcasts
🎙 Ep. 502: Emma John in conversation with Paul Dodgson.
🎙 Ep. 503: Pat Cumper with Juliet Gilkes Romero.
Featuring work from Martin Day, Jonny Wright, Ian McMillan, Deborah Chancellor, Marina Benjamin, Nicola Baldwin & Morgen Witzel.
Listen here: https://podcast.rlf.org.uk/
Following last week's World Book Day celebrations, Karen McCombie reflects on one of the central challenges faced by children's authors today – how to balance making a living and get children reading.
Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4rqIkgU
Photo Credit: Jennifer Tapias Derch 📷
World Book Day meets National Year of Reading 📚
Some stories stay with us forever, shaping how we see the world, sparking imaginations, and inspiring the way we create. Here, some of our RLF writers reflect on the books that they will never forget.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4bePb74
📚 My Writing Life with Penny Pepper✍️
Award-winning author and poet Penny Pepper explores the disability narrative in fiction through her memoir, poetry, and short stories. She shares the books, mentors, and moments that shaped her writing life.
Read more via the link: https://bit.ly/4qMYmBb
📚 My Writing Life with Mark Haddon✍️
Writer and illustrator Mark Haddon has written many books for children, including the 2003 bestseller The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. His latest book – Leaving Home: A Memoir in Full Colour – is out now.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4tt1On8
🎧 Collected Podcasts:
🎙 Ep 500: Abigail Mann - comedy author on writing rituals, process, and producing her best work.
🎙 Ep 501: John Lewis-Stempel - bestselling nature writer and RLF Fellow on writing struggles and finding ideas while farming.
Listen to both here: https://bit.ly/4rWrWGb
Next week, WritersMosaic presents Poets on Film live at the Conduit Club, London. Anthony Anaxagorou and Marjorie Lotfi perform and talk with filmmakers Rob Akin and Savannah Acquah, chaired by Colin Grant, plus poetry film screenings. You can register through the link here: https://bit.ly/4j9QDuX
RLF Fellows’ News – Feb 2026 ✍️
📖 New: Ian Seed’s Forgetfulness & Jim Beckett’s children’s book
📜 Sanjida O’Connell’s ‘Meat’ in The Monster, Capital
📕 Wren James sells The Victors
🏆 Penny Boxall longlisted
✨ Maisie Chan named Storyteller in Residence
📍 Read the full roundup: https://bit.ly/4agPrlp
The second instalment of our webinar series, Making Writing Work – Plot Twist: What to do when a writers financial model breaks - will be on Tuesday 21 April at 6pm GMT. In our second free webinar, we explore the support available when a change in circumstances impacts income. https://bit.ly/4at4KbO
📚 My Writing Life with Katie Hickman ✍️
Katie Hickman is an English novelist, historian and travel writer. She is best known for her best-selling novel, 'The Aviary Gate'.
Read more: https://bit.ly/49FyZvV
We have six days to go until our first webinar!
Join us on January 27 at 6pm, when we will be looking at the practical and financial considerations of balancing your creative identity with the need to earn a living, and the mindset needed to be a professional writer today. https://bit.ly/4ohNPgd
In this article, Roland Chambers – children’s author and former biographer – reflects on the legacy of RLF Estates writer Arthur Ransome, who is best-known for his 'Swallows and Amazons' children's books but was a journalist during the Russian Revolution.
Full article here: https://bit.ly/49rjp72
Today we mark AA Milne’s birthday and a century of Winnie-the-Pooh which was released 100 years ago this October. As benefactors of Milne’s estate, the RLF is proud that his legacy continues to support future writers through hardship grants, education and outreach programmes.
Applications are being accepted for the RLF Fellowship scheme in Autumn 2027.
If you have already requested an application pack, don't forget to submit your application before the deadline of 20th March 2026.
🎧 December's Podcasts:
🎙 Episode 498: International bestselling novelist, Paula Hawkins, reflects on her journey to success.
🎙 Episode 499: Broadcaster and non-fiction writer Vanessa Collingridge discusses writing about neurodiversity.
Listen to both podcasts here: https://podcast.rlf.org.uk/
