Arts Council England Free Reads Scheme
What is the Free Read Scheme and how does it work?
In 2001 TLC received its first sum of ongoing core funding from Arts Council England. This enabled the provision of free reads known as ‘The Free Read Scheme’. Free Reads are selected via a range of literary development bodies coming from as wide a spread across the UK as possible. There are now thirteen organisations benefitting from the Free Reads Scheme. We work with partners who are proven to work well, but will also from time to time open the process up to include new partners and ensure the best possible national spread.
Each regional writing organisation arranges the selection of the submissions through writing competitions, open submissions or their individual systems that work for their individual areas. Please contact your regional writing partner before sending them your manuscript submission.
- That the scheme is designed for low-income and high-quality writers.
- The Free Read may consist of either a partial or full manuscript assessment (including poetry, short stories and scripts).
- All submissions must meet the TLC submission guidelines.
Submission rules and guidelines
How do I apply?
ACE regional Writing Partners
Click on your location on the map to be taken
to your regional writing partners website
or use the key below.
█ Common Word
█ New Writing Cumbria
█ Literature Works
█ Dorset County Council
█ New Writing North
█ New Writing South
█ Signposts
█ Writers’ Centre Norwich
█ Spread the Word
█ Writing East Midlands
█ Writing West Midlands
