Royal Literary Fund
@royalliteraryfund.bsky.social
Supporting Writers Since 1790. The Royal Literary Fund (RLF) helps writers in financial need and annually delivers over £5 million in grants, education, community, and workplace programmes.
We’re excited to launch Making Writing Work, a free four-part webinar series for writers.
Join host Nick Ahad with speakers Emily Itami, Derek Keilty, and Karen McCarthy Woolf, plus Federica Fiorillo from the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society on 27 January 2026.
https://bit.ly/4ohNPgd
Join host Nick Ahad with speakers Emily Itami, Derek Keilty, and Karen McCarthy Woolf, plus Federica Fiorillo from the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society on 27 January 2026.
https://bit.ly/4ohNPgd
November 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM
We’re excited to launch Making Writing Work, a free four-part webinar series for writers.
Join host Nick Ahad with speakers Emily Itami, Derek Keilty, and Karen McCarthy Woolf, plus Federica Fiorillo from the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society on 27 January 2026.
https://bit.ly/4ohNPgd
Join host Nick Ahad with speakers Emily Itami, Derek Keilty, and Karen McCarthy Woolf, plus Federica Fiorillo from the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society on 27 January 2026.
https://bit.ly/4ohNPgd
Adam Weymouth’s Kings of the Yukon won The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award. His new book, Lone Wolf (Baillie Gifford–shortlisted), follows a wolf across Europe while exploring travel, storytelling, and the ethics of honouring people and place.
Read here: https://bit.ly/4r6tOff
Read here: https://bit.ly/4r6tOff
November 20, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Adam Weymouth’s Kings of the Yukon won The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award. His new book, Lone Wolf (Baillie Gifford–shortlisted), follows a wolf across Europe while exploring travel, storytelling, and the ethics of honouring people and place.
Read here: https://bit.ly/4r6tOff
Read here: https://bit.ly/4r6tOff
Five RLF poets - Anna Woodford, Jo Clement, Christy Ducker, Harry Man & Degna Stone have created poems now on display at Longbenton Metro station.
Poems on the Metro is a collaboration between the RLF and Tyne and Wear Metro and this work will be on view to enjoy until the end of the year.
Poems on the Metro is a collaboration between the RLF and Tyne and Wear Metro and this work will be on view to enjoy until the end of the year.
November 19, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Five RLF poets - Anna Woodford, Jo Clement, Christy Ducker, Harry Man & Degna Stone have created poems now on display at Longbenton Metro station.
Poems on the Metro is a collaboration between the RLF and Tyne and Wear Metro and this work will be on view to enjoy until the end of the year.
Poems on the Metro is a collaboration between the RLF and Tyne and Wear Metro and this work will be on view to enjoy until the end of the year.
Today is International Students Day! 🧑🎓 Did you know the RLF has been supporting students at universities across the UK since 1999? If you need support with your writing, find out if there’s a Fellow at your university via the link: https://www.rlf.org.uk/our-partners/
November 17, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Today is International Students Day! 🧑🎓 Did you know the RLF has been supporting students at universities across the UK since 1999? If you need support with your writing, find out if there’s a Fellow at your university via the link: https://www.rlf.org.uk/our-partners/
Award-winning novelist Elif Shafak (@shafakelif) joins Doug Johnstone (@writerdougj) on the latest Collected Podcast to talk creativity, activism, and her love of heavy metal. Plus, archive highlights from Bethan Roberts, David Lloyd, and Mirza Waheed.
🎧 Listen: https://youtu.be/Mp6pkAQqUNE
🎧 Listen: https://youtu.be/Mp6pkAQqUNE
November 10, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Award-winning novelist Elif Shafak (@shafakelif) joins Doug Johnstone (@writerdougj) on the latest Collected Podcast to talk creativity, activism, and her love of heavy metal. Plus, archive highlights from Bethan Roberts, David Lloyd, and Mirza Waheed.
🎧 Listen: https://youtu.be/Mp6pkAQqUNE
🎧 Listen: https://youtu.be/Mp6pkAQqUNE
📚 RLF Fellows’ News – November 2025 ✍️
New books, theatre premieres & award nods, plus Collected Live in Liverpool & Birmingham, and Mosaic Monologues from Writers Mosaic.
Award nods for C.D. Rose, Gillian Allnutt, Nick Makoha, Salena Godden & Trish Cooke.
Read more: https://bit.ly/3LoP2Vc
New books, theatre premieres & award nods, plus Collected Live in Liverpool & Birmingham, and Mosaic Monologues from Writers Mosaic.
Award nods for C.D. Rose, Gillian Allnutt, Nick Makoha, Salena Godden & Trish Cooke.
Read more: https://bit.ly/3LoP2Vc
November 6, 2025 at 12:07 PM
📚 RLF Fellows’ News – November 2025 ✍️
New books, theatre premieres & award nods, plus Collected Live in Liverpool & Birmingham, and Mosaic Monologues from Writers Mosaic.
Award nods for C.D. Rose, Gillian Allnutt, Nick Makoha, Salena Godden & Trish Cooke.
Read more: https://bit.ly/3LoP2Vc
New books, theatre premieres & award nods, plus Collected Live in Liverpool & Birmingham, and Mosaic Monologues from Writers Mosaic.
Award nods for C.D. Rose, Gillian Allnutt, Nick Makoha, Salena Godden & Trish Cooke.
Read more: https://bit.ly/3LoP2Vc
🎙️ Six writers. Six voices. Endless stories.
Listen to Mosaic Monologues 👉 https://writersmosaic.org.uk/category/limited-series/mosaic-monologues/
Listen to Mosaic Monologues 👉 https://writersmosaic.org.uk/category/limited-series/mosaic-monologues/
October 29, 2025 at 12:27 PM
🎙️ Six writers. Six voices. Endless stories.
Listen to Mosaic Monologues 👉 https://writersmosaic.org.uk/category/limited-series/mosaic-monologues/
Listen to Mosaic Monologues 👉 https://writersmosaic.org.uk/category/limited-series/mosaic-monologues/
Tomorrow, @writersmosaic joins @OffTheShelfFest for 'Diverse Islands' - a vital conversation on race, identity & multiculturalism across the UK & Ireland. 🌍📚
With Kieran Connell, Emer O’Neill, Charlotte Rea-Patel & host John Siddique. In partnership with @SpeakVolumes.
With Kieran Connell, Emer O’Neill, Charlotte Rea-Patel & host John Siddique. In partnership with @SpeakVolumes.
October 24, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Tomorrow, @writersmosaic joins @OffTheShelfFest for 'Diverse Islands' - a vital conversation on race, identity & multiculturalism across the UK & Ireland. 🌍📚
With Kieran Connell, Emer O’Neill, Charlotte Rea-Patel & host John Siddique. In partnership with @SpeakVolumes.
With Kieran Connell, Emer O’Neill, Charlotte Rea-Patel & host John Siddique. In partnership with @SpeakVolumes.
Tomorrow @writersmosaic.bsky.social join @mcrlitfest.bsky.social for a powerful event exploring nature, spirit & the human experience 🌿📚
October 23, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Tomorrow @writersmosaic.bsky.social join @mcrlitfest.bsky.social for a powerful event exploring nature, spirit & the human experience 🌿📚
Playwright Neil Bartlett examines Bosie’s letters from the 1940s, including RLF grant application:
https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/rarely-pure-and-never-simple-examining-the-case-file-of-lord-alfred-douglas/
📸 Oscar Wilde with Lord Alfred Douglas. ©️ Pictorial Press Ltd, Alamy
https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/rarely-pure-and-never-simple-examining-the-case-file-of-lord-alfred-douglas/
📸 Oscar Wilde with Lord Alfred Douglas. ©️ Pictorial Press Ltd, Alamy
October 22, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Playwright Neil Bartlett examines Bosie’s letters from the 1940s, including RLF grant application:
https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/rarely-pure-and-never-simple-examining-the-case-file-of-lord-alfred-douglas/
📸 Oscar Wilde with Lord Alfred Douglas. ©️ Pictorial Press Ltd, Alamy
https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/rarely-pure-and-never-simple-examining-the-case-file-of-lord-alfred-douglas/
📸 Oscar Wilde with Lord Alfred Douglas. ©️ Pictorial Press Ltd, Alamy
October is #FreeWillsMonth. If you're 55+, you can write your Will for free via the National Free Wills Network. 🖊️
RLF is proud to take part, there is no obligation to leave a gift, but if you do, you’ll support future generations of writers. 📚✍️
👉 https://bit.ly/499qYzn
RLF is proud to take part, there is no obligation to leave a gift, but if you do, you’ll support future generations of writers. 📚✍️
👉 https://bit.ly/499qYzn
October 17, 2025 at 4:02 PM
October is #FreeWillsMonth. If you're 55+, you can write your Will for free via the National Free Wills Network. 🖊️
RLF is proud to take part, there is no obligation to leave a gift, but if you do, you’ll support future generations of writers. 📚✍️
👉 https://bit.ly/499qYzn
RLF is proud to take part, there is no obligation to leave a gift, but if you do, you’ll support future generations of writers. 📚✍️
👉 https://bit.ly/499qYzn
🎧 September Pods from the RLF:
📘 Ep 493: Ian Seed on prose poems, translation, and redrafting with Jonathan Tulloch
🌍 Ep 494: Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse on survival, storytelling & community after trauma
🎙️ Listen: https://podcast.rlf.org.uk/
📘 Ep 493: Ian Seed on prose poems, translation, and redrafting with Jonathan Tulloch
🌍 Ep 494: Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse on survival, storytelling & community after trauma
🎙️ Listen: https://podcast.rlf.org.uk/
October 15, 2025 at 5:37 PM
🎧 September Pods from the RLF:
📘 Ep 493: Ian Seed on prose poems, translation, and redrafting with Jonathan Tulloch
🌍 Ep 494: Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse on survival, storytelling & community after trauma
🎙️ Listen: https://podcast.rlf.org.uk/
📘 Ep 493: Ian Seed on prose poems, translation, and redrafting with Jonathan Tulloch
🌍 Ep 494: Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse on survival, storytelling & community after trauma
🎙️ Listen: https://podcast.rlf.org.uk/
🎙️ The latest What We Leave We Carry episodes are now live on the WritersMosaic website, proudly supported by the Royal Literary Fund.
🎧 Tune in to these moving stories of migration, identity, and belonging: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/what-we-leave-we-carry-september-2025/
🎧 Tune in to these moving stories of migration, identity, and belonging: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/what-we-leave-we-carry-september-2025/
October 14, 2025 at 2:30 PM
🎙️ The latest What We Leave We Carry episodes are now live on the WritersMosaic website, proudly supported by the Royal Literary Fund.
🎧 Tune in to these moving stories of migration, identity, and belonging: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/what-we-leave-we-carry-september-2025/
🎧 Tune in to these moving stories of migration, identity, and belonging: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/what-we-leave-we-carry-september-2025/
📚 My Writing Life with Mike Gayle ✍️
Bestselling novelist and former journalist Mike Gayle shares his best writing advice and journey—from studying sociology and writing for teen mags to penning heartfelt rom-coms like My Legendary Girlfriend: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/my-writing-life-mike-gayle/
Bestselling novelist and former journalist Mike Gayle shares his best writing advice and journey—from studying sociology and writing for teen mags to penning heartfelt rom-coms like My Legendary Girlfriend: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/my-writing-life-mike-gayle/
October 13, 2025 at 4:13 PM
📚 My Writing Life with Mike Gayle ✍️
Bestselling novelist and former journalist Mike Gayle shares his best writing advice and journey—from studying sociology and writing for teen mags to penning heartfelt rom-coms like My Legendary Girlfriend: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/my-writing-life-mike-gayle/
Bestselling novelist and former journalist Mike Gayle shares his best writing advice and journey—from studying sociology and writing for teen mags to penning heartfelt rom-coms like My Legendary Girlfriend: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/my-writing-life-mike-gayle/
The winners of Ashdown Forest’s poetry competition are here! 🌲✨
Theme: Connections
🌀 Khudeeja Begum – Threaded Through the Quiet
🌿 Vanessa Lampert – For the Other
Read them 👉 https://ashdownforest.org/winners-of-the-poetry-competition-2025/
#Poetry #RLF #AshdownForest
Theme: Connections
🌀 Khudeeja Begum – Threaded Through the Quiet
🌿 Vanessa Lampert – For the Other
Read them 👉 https://ashdownforest.org/winners-of-the-poetry-competition-2025/
#Poetry #RLF #AshdownForest
October 9, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The winners of Ashdown Forest’s poetry competition are here! 🌲✨
Theme: Connections
🌀 Khudeeja Begum – Threaded Through the Quiet
🌿 Vanessa Lampert – For the Other
Read them 👉 https://ashdownforest.org/winners-of-the-poetry-competition-2025/
#Poetry #RLF #AshdownForest
Theme: Connections
🌀 Khudeeja Begum – Threaded Through the Quiet
🌿 Vanessa Lampert – For the Other
Read them 👉 https://ashdownforest.org/winners-of-the-poetry-competition-2025/
#Poetry #RLF #AshdownForest
📚 Banned Books Week UK is back, 5–11 Oct! We're supporting @IndexCensorship's #BannedBooksWeek, spotlighting censored books and writers like DH Lawrence, James Joyce & Edna O’Brien.
More here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/banned-books-week-the-rlf-writers-who-faced-censorship/
More here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/banned-books-week-the-rlf-writers-who-faced-censorship/
October 8, 2025 at 10:05 AM
📚 Banned Books Week UK is back, 5–11 Oct! We're supporting @IndexCensorship's #BannedBooksWeek, spotlighting censored books and writers like DH Lawrence, James Joyce & Edna O’Brien.
More here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/banned-books-week-the-rlf-writers-who-faced-censorship/
More here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/banned-books-week-the-rlf-writers-who-faced-censorship/
Our third poem celebrating #NationalPoetryDay today is 'Legacies' by Garry Mackenzie. You can read all three poems commissioned by the Royal Literary Fund in our 235th year on our website here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/on-the-legacy-of-words/
#RLF #Poetry #Writers
#RLF #Poetry #Writers
October 2, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Our third poem celebrating #NationalPoetryDay today is 'Legacies' by Garry Mackenzie. You can read all three poems commissioned by the Royal Literary Fund in our 235th year on our website here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/on-the-legacy-of-words/
#RLF #Poetry #Writers
#RLF #Poetry #Writers
It’s #NationalPoetryDay! To celebrate the Royal Literary Fund’s 235th anniversary, three RLF poets share reflections on the power of words. Here’s Mark with his new poem, ‘Legacy.’ Read it here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/on-the-legacy-of-words/
October 2, 2025 at 10:05 AM
It’s #NationalPoetryDay! To celebrate the Royal Literary Fund’s 235th anniversary, three RLF poets share reflections on the power of words. Here’s Mark with his new poem, ‘Legacy.’ Read it here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/on-the-legacy-of-words/
📚 Ian McEwan on Writing ✍️
“I wish someone had told me to embrace the joy of living by one’s writing.”
McEwan reflects on his journey from young writer to acclaimed novelist.
Read more: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/my-writing-life-ian-mcewan/
📸: Bastian Schweitzer
“I wish someone had told me to embrace the joy of living by one’s writing.”
McEwan reflects on his journey from young writer to acclaimed novelist.
Read more: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/my-writing-life-ian-mcewan/
📸: Bastian Schweitzer
September 29, 2025 at 11:20 AM
📚 Ian McEwan on Writing ✍️
“I wish someone had told me to embrace the joy of living by one’s writing.”
McEwan reflects on his journey from young writer to acclaimed novelist.
Read more: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/my-writing-life-ian-mcewan/
📸: Bastian Schweitzer
“I wish someone had told me to embrace the joy of living by one’s writing.”
McEwan reflects on his journey from young writer to acclaimed novelist.
Read more: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/my-writing-life-ian-mcewan/
📸: Bastian Schweitzer
📚 Why Mentorship Matters to Writers ✍️
Katy Massey on the power of mentoring, drawn from her work with A Writing Chance.
👉 https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/why-mentorship-matters-to-writers/
📸 Photo: 2024–25 cohort by Dan Haworth-Salter.
Katy Massey on the power of mentoring, drawn from her work with A Writing Chance.
👉 https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/why-mentorship-matters-to-writers/
📸 Photo: 2024–25 cohort by Dan Haworth-Salter.
September 26, 2025 at 4:47 PM
📚 Why Mentorship Matters to Writers ✍️
Katy Massey on the power of mentoring, drawn from her work with A Writing Chance.
👉 https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/why-mentorship-matters-to-writers/
📸 Photo: 2024–25 cohort by Dan Haworth-Salter.
Katy Massey on the power of mentoring, drawn from her work with A Writing Chance.
👉 https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/why-mentorship-matters-to-writers/
📸 Photo: 2024–25 cohort by Dan Haworth-Salter.
We asked our new 2025/2026 RLF University Fellows their best advice for aspiring writers. ✍️ What's the best advice you've ever been given about writing?
Find out more about the RLF University Fellowship scheme and see all the 2025/2026 new Fellows here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowship-scheme/
Find out more about the RLF University Fellowship scheme and see all the 2025/2026 new Fellows here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowship-scheme/
September 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
We asked our new 2025/2026 RLF University Fellows their best advice for aspiring writers. ✍️ What's the best advice you've ever been given about writing?
Find out more about the RLF University Fellowship scheme and see all the 2025/2026 new Fellows here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowship-scheme/
Find out more about the RLF University Fellowship scheme and see all the 2025/2026 new Fellows here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowship-scheme/
We asked our new 2025/2026 RLF University Fellows their best advice for aspiring writers. ✍️ What's the best advice you've ever been given about writing?
Find out more about the RLF University Fellowship scheme and see all the 2025/2026 new Fellows here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowship-scheme/
Find out more about the RLF University Fellowship scheme and see all the 2025/2026 new Fellows here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowship-scheme/
September 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
We asked our new 2025/2026 RLF University Fellows their best advice for aspiring writers. ✍️ What's the best advice you've ever been given about writing?
Find out more about the RLF University Fellowship scheme and see all the 2025/2026 new Fellows here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowship-scheme/
Find out more about the RLF University Fellowship scheme and see all the 2025/2026 new Fellows here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowship-scheme/
Screenwriter Sameera Steward (who has written for BBC + Netflix TV shows) talks about how her RLF hardship grant was life-changing. If you or a professional writer you know is struggling financially, we are here to help.
Check your eligibility on our website. 📚
Check your eligibility on our website. 📚
September 23, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Screenwriter Sameera Steward (who has written for BBC + Netflix TV shows) talks about how her RLF hardship grant was life-changing. If you or a professional writer you know is struggling financially, we are here to help.
Check your eligibility on our website. 📚
Check your eligibility on our website. 📚
The @WritersMosaic Quarterly: Iranian Women’s Voices is out now! Read the online version in full here: https://writersmosaic.org.uk/category/limited-series/iranian-womens-voices/
Also available as a print insert in The Bookseller.
Also available as a print insert in The Bookseller.
September 22, 2025 at 1:56 PM
The @WritersMosaic Quarterly: Iranian Women’s Voices is out now! Read the online version in full here: https://writersmosaic.org.uk/category/limited-series/iranian-womens-voices/
Also available as a print insert in The Bookseller.
Also available as a print insert in The Bookseller.