WGGB Lesley
@wggblesley.bsky.social
Deputy Gen Sec of The Writers Guild.
Also, heritage woodcarver & history obsessive - easily diverted by early medieval manuscripts.....
All views my own.
Also, heritage woodcarver & history obsessive - easily diverted by early medieval manuscripts.....
All views my own.
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
Choose hope
We want to match as many curious, talented, and ambitious young people as possible with mentors in 2026, but we still NEED to recruit at least 100 more volunteers in the next couple of weeks to make this possible.
Apply now! 👉 www.arts-emergency.o...
Applications close 29 Sep 25
Apply now! 👉 www.arts-emergency.o...
Applications close 29 Sep 25
September 15, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Choose hope
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
We welcome this new inquiry from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which will look at the provision of original children's TV and video content in the UK + how to ensure high quality TV and video for children can be made + easily found in future
committees.parliament.uk/committee/37...
committees.parliament.uk/committee/37...
New inquiry: MPs to investigate children’s TV and video content - Committees - UK Parliament
A new inquiry will explore the provision of children’s TV and video content in the UK and what can be done to ensure future generations continue to have access to high-quality British-made progr...
committees.parliament.uk
July 4, 2025 at 11:43 AM
We welcome this new inquiry from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which will look at the provision of original children's TV and video content in the UK + how to ensure high quality TV and video for children can be made + easily found in future
committees.parliament.uk/committee/37...
committees.parliament.uk/committee/37...
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
An inspiring event at the Garden Cinema yesterday, where we heard from three leading screenwriters + WGGB activists, Olivia Hetreed, @gibbzer.bsky.social + @linelangebek.bsky.social
They spoke about the art of ‘spinning plates’ - professionally, personally + in the sphere of activism + mentoring
They spoke about the art of ‘spinning plates’ - professionally, personally + in the sphere of activism + mentoring
June 27, 2025 at 8:52 AM
An inspiring event at the Garden Cinema yesterday, where we heard from three leading screenwriters + WGGB activists, Olivia Hetreed, @gibbzer.bsky.social + @linelangebek.bsky.social
They spoke about the art of ‘spinning plates’ - professionally, personally + in the sphere of activism + mentoring
They spoke about the art of ‘spinning plates’ - professionally, personally + in the sphere of activism + mentoring
Playwrights working in the UK independent theatre sector are to gain new rights for the digital exploitation of their work and a 24% uplift in minimum fees over three years, following a major update to the existing agreement between WGGB + @itc-arts.bsky.social
writersguild.org.uk/itc-new-agre...
writersguild.org.uk/itc-new-agre...
June 2, 2025 at 3:30 PM
#scriptskyuk #screenwriting #filmmaking #WritingCommunity
We know it's an issue - help us measure the scale...
We know it's an issue - help us measure the scale...
2/ Open to WGGB members + non members
Pls submit your evidence + share!
surveymonkey.com/r/WGGBEviden...
#FreeIsNotAnOption
Pls submit your evidence + share!
surveymonkey.com/r/WGGBEviden...
#FreeIsNotAnOption
May 20, 2025 at 9:45 AM
#scriptskyuk #screenwriting #filmmaking #WritingCommunity
We know it's an issue - help us measure the scale...
We know it's an issue - help us measure the scale...
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
For all authors, scriptwriters, and writers, for all creatives whatever the medium, copyright protections are vital. Meta has used the works of countless creatives, without consent, to train AI.
#DoTheWriteThing and #MakeItFair
@writersguildgb.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social @alcs.co.uk
#DoTheWriteThing and #MakeItFair
@writersguildgb.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social @alcs.co.uk
Following the news about Meta's mass theft of writers' work to train AI, we're joining the #DoTheWriteThing day of action today
- Make a noise on social media
- Write to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy
- Tell Meta they don't have the right to use your books
writersguild.org.uk/do-the-write...
- Make a noise on social media
- Write to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy
- Tell Meta they don't have the right to use your books
writersguild.org.uk/do-the-write...
#DoTheWriteThing - join the day of action - The Writers' Guild of Great Britain
Following the The Atlantic’s article, which revealed that many UK authors have had their work taken without consent as part of the Library Genesis ‘LibGen’ dataset and used by Meta …
writersguild.org.uk
April 3, 2025 at 11:37 AM
For all authors, scriptwriters, and writers, for all creatives whatever the medium, copyright protections are vital. Meta has used the works of countless creatives, without consent, to train AI.
#DoTheWriteThing and #MakeItFair
@writersguildgb.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social @alcs.co.uk
#DoTheWriteThing and #MakeItFair
@writersguildgb.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social @alcs.co.uk
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
Here’s @gailrenard.bsky.social from @writersguildgb.bsky.social at the head of the throng #MakeItRight #MetaBookThieves
April 3, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Here’s @gailrenard.bsky.social from @writersguildgb.bsky.social at the head of the throng #MakeItRight #MetaBookThieves
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
‘Meta has stolen books’: authors to protest in London against AI trained using ‘shadow library’
‘Meta has stolen books’: authors to protest in London against AI trained using ‘shadow library’
Writers will gather at the Facebook owner’s King’s Cross office in opposition to its use of the LibGen database to train its AI models
Authors and other publishing industry professionals will stage a demonstration outside Meta’s London office today in protest of the organisation’s use of copyrighted books to train artificial intelligence.
Novelists Kate Mosse and Tracy Chevalier as well as poet and former Royal Society of Literature chair Daljit Nagra will be among those in attendance outside the company’s King’s Cross office. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
April 3, 2025 at 7:10 AM
‘Meta has stolen books’: authors to protest in London against AI trained using ‘shadow library’
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
I'll be delivering @writersguildgb.bsky.social letter, about Meta's mass theft of writers' work to train AI, to Meta HQ today, along with one of my own. It's a day of action Make a noise
- Write to Culture Secretary @lisanandy
- Tell Meta they don't have the right to use your books
#DoTheWriteThing
- Write to Culture Secretary @lisanandy
- Tell Meta they don't have the right to use your books
#DoTheWriteThing
April 3, 2025 at 9:30 AM
I'll be delivering @writersguildgb.bsky.social letter, about Meta's mass theft of writers' work to train AI, to Meta HQ today, along with one of my own. It's a day of action Make a noise
- Write to Culture Secretary @lisanandy
- Tell Meta they don't have the right to use your books
#DoTheWriteThing
- Write to Culture Secretary @lisanandy
- Tell Meta they don't have the right to use your books
#DoTheWriteThing
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
OpenAI trained on a massive pirated database trained on six of my books and short stories. Meta's AI trained on a massive pirated database of THIRTY ONE of my works. Just about every author you know has had their life's work scraped and fed into the machine without consent. Please stand with us.
Following the news about Meta's mass theft of writers' work to train AI, we're joining the #DoTheWriteThing day of action today
- Make a noise on social media
- Write to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy
- Tell Meta they don't have the right to use your books
writersguild.org.uk/do-the-write...
- Make a noise on social media
- Write to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy
- Tell Meta they don't have the right to use your books
writersguild.org.uk/do-the-write...
#DoTheWriteThing - join the day of action - The Writers' Guild of Great Britain
Following the The Atlantic’s article, which revealed that many UK authors have had their work taken without consent as part of the Library Genesis ‘LibGen’ dataset and used by Meta …
writersguild.org.uk
April 3, 2025 at 10:53 AM
OpenAI trained on a massive pirated database trained on six of my books and short stories. Meta's AI trained on a massive pirated database of THIRTY ONE of my works. Just about every author you know has had their life's work scraped and fed into the machine without consent. Please stand with us.
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
Today we're joining with @societyofauthors.bsky.social outside Meta's offices to protest the use of pirated works to train their AI models
Here are some ways you can join the day of action:
writersguild.org.uk/do-the-write...
#MakeItFair
Here are some ways you can join the day of action:
writersguild.org.uk/do-the-write...
#MakeItFair
#DoTheWriteThing - join the day of action - The Writers' Guild of Great Britain
Following the The Atlantic’s article, which revealed that many UK authors have had their work taken without consent as part of the Library Genesis ‘LibGen’ dataset and used by Meta …
writersguild.org.uk
April 3, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Today we're joining with @societyofauthors.bsky.social outside Meta's offices to protest the use of pirated works to train their AI models
Here are some ways you can join the day of action:
writersguild.org.uk/do-the-write...
#MakeItFair
Here are some ways you can join the day of action:
writersguild.org.uk/do-the-write...
#MakeItFair
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
Happy #WorldTheatreDay! A day to celebrate theatre and our talented playwright members
March 27, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Happy #WorldTheatreDay! A day to celebrate theatre and our talented playwright members
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
Following the devastating news about the cancellation of River City, please sign this petition set up by our sister union @equityuk.bsky.social which has reached 6,000 signatures in just 24 hours
Please also say when you sign why River City is so important to the writing community in Scotland
Please also say when you sign why River City is so important to the writing community in Scotland
🚨 URGENT: Tell BBC Scotland to Save River City 🚨
Sign and share our petition now, save one of Scotland's best loved TV shows and protect vital jobs and creative opportunities 👇
www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/te...
Sign and share our petition now, save one of Scotland's best loved TV shows and protect vital jobs and creative opportunities 👇
www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/te...
Tell BBC Scotland to Save River City
Paul W Fleming, Equity General Secretary, called the move "short-sighted" and a "disaster for Scottish television", saying the move would have a disproportionately negative impact on...
www.megaphone.org.uk
March 19, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Following the devastating news about the cancellation of River City, please sign this petition set up by our sister union @equityuk.bsky.social which has reached 6,000 signatures in just 24 hours
Please also say when you sign why River City is so important to the writing community in Scotland
Please also say when you sign why River City is so important to the writing community in Scotland
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
It's World Radio Day! The BBC is making the tragic and bewildering decision to massively slash its audio drama budgets. Please protest that decision by making a short video with #SADattheBBC and tag @writersguildgb.bsky.social
February 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM
It's World Radio Day! The BBC is making the tragic and bewildering decision to massively slash its audio drama budgets. Please protest that decision by making a short video with #SADattheBBC and tag @writersguildgb.bsky.social
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
13 Feb is World Radio Day, and the BBC is planning to cut drama budgets yet further, so I am starting a thread of drawings inspired by BBC radio dramas. (Leaving out worstjourney.com for now as that's its own story.) Hit social media with #SADatTheBBC to get on the radar tomorrow.
February 12, 2025 at 10:43 AM
13 Feb is World Radio Day, and the BBC is planning to cut drama budgets yet further, so I am starting a thread of drawings inspired by BBC radio dramas. (Leaving out worstjourney.com for now as that's its own story.) Hit social media with #SADatTheBBC to get on the radar tomorrow.
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
On #WorldRadioDay 2025 let us celebrate BBC's Drama on 3 - and make sure it's still around for #WorldRadioDay 2026.
#SADatTheBBC (Save Audio Drama at the BBC)
@writersguildgb.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social @equityuk.bsky.social @unesco.org
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo2J...
#SADatTheBBC (Save Audio Drama at the BBC)
@writersguildgb.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social @equityuk.bsky.social @unesco.org
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo2J...
Save Drama on 3 – World Radio Day 2025
YouTube video by Alan Stafford
www.youtube.com
February 13, 2025 at 10:06 AM
On #WorldRadioDay 2025 let us celebrate BBC's Drama on 3 - and make sure it's still around for #WorldRadioDay 2026.
#SADatTheBBC (Save Audio Drama at the BBC)
@writersguildgb.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social @equityuk.bsky.social @unesco.org
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo2J...
#SADatTheBBC (Save Audio Drama at the BBC)
@writersguildgb.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social @equityuk.bsky.social @unesco.org
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo2J...
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
Happy #WorldRadioDay! Send a video message to Director-General Tim Davie + the BBC about why audio drama is so important to you, why you oppose their cuts and why we must Save Audio Drama at the BBC
#SADatTheBBC
writersguild.org.uk/save-audio-d...
#SADatTheBBC
writersguild.org.uk/save-audio-d...
Save Audio Drama on World Radio Day - The Writers' Guild of Great Britain
Last month, alongside Equity and the Society of Authors, we launched a petition to Save Audio Drama at the BBC, following the corporation’s decision to axe audio drama from Radio …
writersguild.org.uk
February 13, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Happy #WorldRadioDay! Send a video message to Director-General Tim Davie + the BBC about why audio drama is so important to you, why you oppose their cuts and why we must Save Audio Drama at the BBC
#SADatTheBBC
writersguild.org.uk/save-audio-d...
#SADatTheBBC
writersguild.org.uk/save-audio-d...
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
For thousands of British writers (including myself) BBC audio drama was where we started, where we learned, where we explored what we could do.
It's currently being dismantled, removing one rare and vital ladder for new writers in this country.
#SADatTheBBC
@writersguildgb.bsky.social
It's currently being dismantled, removing one rare and vital ladder for new writers in this country.
#SADatTheBBC
@writersguildgb.bsky.social
February 13, 2025 at 8:25 AM
For thousands of British writers (including myself) BBC audio drama was where we started, where we learned, where we explored what we could do.
It's currently being dismantled, removing one rare and vital ladder for new writers in this country.
#SADatTheBBC
@writersguildgb.bsky.social
It's currently being dismantled, removing one rare and vital ladder for new writers in this country.
#SADatTheBBC
@writersguildgb.bsky.social
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
It's @unesco.org #WorldRadioDay - the perfect time to remind you of the importance of #BBC #RadioDrama.
Radio 3 is axing it. Radio 4 has cut most of it.
So here's why radio drama is important to me...
#SADatTheBBC @writersguildgb.bsky.social @equityuk.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social
Radio 3 is axing it. Radio 4 has cut most of it.
So here's why radio drama is important to me...
#SADatTheBBC @writersguildgb.bsky.social @equityuk.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social
February 13, 2025 at 8:07 AM
It's @unesco.org #WorldRadioDay - the perfect time to remind you of the importance of #BBC #RadioDrama.
Radio 3 is axing it. Radio 4 has cut most of it.
So here's why radio drama is important to me...
#SADatTheBBC @writersguildgb.bsky.social @equityuk.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social
Radio 3 is axing it. Radio 4 has cut most of it.
So here's why radio drama is important to me...
#SADatTheBBC @writersguildgb.bsky.social @equityuk.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
The Papatango Playwrights’ Studio is now open! Create a profile, connect with creatives and producers, and enjoy digital workshops, networking, one-to-one advice and funding opportunities - all at no cost. Sign up: https://papatango.co.uk/studio/ #PapatangoStudio #Theatre #Playwriting
February 11, 2025 at 12:15 PM
The Papatango Playwrights’ Studio is now open! Create a profile, connect with creatives and producers, and enjoy digital workshops, networking, one-to-one advice and funding opportunities - all at no cost. Sign up: https://papatango.co.uk/studio/ #PapatangoStudio #Theatre #Playwriting
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
Next Thurs 13 Feb is World Radio Day, but audio drama is under serious threat
Share a short video to tell BBC Director General Tim Davie + the BBC why audio drama is important to you, the wider UK drama ecosystem + why you oppose their cuts
More info 🔽
writersguild.org.uk/save-audio-d...
Share a short video to tell BBC Director General Tim Davie + the BBC why audio drama is important to you, the wider UK drama ecosystem + why you oppose their cuts
More info 🔽
writersguild.org.uk/save-audio-d...
February 7, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Next Thurs 13 Feb is World Radio Day, but audio drama is under serious threat
Share a short video to tell BBC Director General Tim Davie + the BBC why audio drama is important to you, the wider UK drama ecosystem + why you oppose their cuts
More info 🔽
writersguild.org.uk/save-audio-d...
Share a short video to tell BBC Director General Tim Davie + the BBC why audio drama is important to you, the wider UK drama ecosystem + why you oppose their cuts
More info 🔽
writersguild.org.uk/save-audio-d...
Reposted by WGGB Lesley
The Bridport Prize is offering two fully funded writer residencies in Dorset for writers from The Midlands and/or The North West of the UK who are working class and/or 60+
From Sunday 22 to Friday 27 June 2025. Writers must be available for the whole period.
Details in link.
Please share :)
From Sunday 22 to Friday 27 June 2025. Writers must be available for the whole period.
Details in link.
Please share :)
New! Fully funded writer residencies Working class and/or 60+ - Bridport Prize
bridportprize.org.uk
February 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The Bridport Prize is offering two fully funded writer residencies in Dorset for writers from The Midlands and/or The North West of the UK who are working class and/or 60+
From Sunday 22 to Friday 27 June 2025. Writers must be available for the whole period.
Details in link.
Please share :)
From Sunday 22 to Friday 27 June 2025. Writers must be available for the whole period.
Details in link.
Please share :)
Hey #theatresky #playwrights #theatre Come and join us for what should be a really interesting session ....
WGGB members - come to our free online workshop on devised + collaborative theatre
With writer + deviser Jenifer Toksvig, WGGB Deputy General Secretary @wggblesley.bsky.social + Assistant Organiser Eleanor Dawson
5-7pm, 11 February, Zoom
Find out more + register
forms.office.com/pages/respon...
With writer + deviser Jenifer Toksvig, WGGB Deputy General Secretary @wggblesley.bsky.social + Assistant Organiser Eleanor Dawson
5-7pm, 11 February, Zoom
Find out more + register
forms.office.com/pages/respon...
February 4, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Hey #theatresky #playwrights #theatre Come and join us for what should be a really interesting session ....
Really looking forward to this session, come and join us.....
WGGB members - come to our free online workshop on devised + collaborative theatre
With writer + deviser Jenifer Toksvig, WGGB Deputy General Secretary @wggblesley.bsky.social + Assistant Organiser Eleanor Dawson
5-7pm, 11 February, Zoom
Find out more + register
forms.office.com/pages/respon...
With writer + deviser Jenifer Toksvig, WGGB Deputy General Secretary @wggblesley.bsky.social + Assistant Organiser Eleanor Dawson
5-7pm, 11 February, Zoom
Find out more + register
forms.office.com/pages/respon...
February 3, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Really looking forward to this session, come and join us.....
Check out the new site!!
📣 Our new website is now live!
Online joining and renewals are back online and Full Members can now add or update their Find a Writer profiles once again
We hope you like it and you can check it out here 🔽
writersguild.org.uk
Online joining and renewals are back online and Full Members can now add or update their Find a Writer profiles once again
We hope you like it and you can check it out here 🔽
writersguild.org.uk
January 28, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Check out the new site!!