The London Library Emerging Writers Programme, now in its fourth year, is a unique opportunity which offers writers, in all genres, one year’s free membership of The London Library and includes writing development masterclasses, literary networking opportunities, peer support and guidance in using the Library’s resources. With its rich cultural heritage, extensive open access book collection, dedicated writing spaces and its diverse community of established writers, the benefits of Library membership are invaluable.

For over 180 years The London Library has played a central role in inspiring writers and researchers and has helped them explore and develop their work. From Charles Dickens to Sarah Waters, Charles Darwin to Simon Schama, Virginia Woolf to Kazuo lshiguro, writers have consistently found it to be an unrivalled resource.

The London Library Emerging Writers Programme is open to anyone over 16 years of age who is committed to pursuing a career in writing and wants to develop their practice but has yet had their work professionally published or produced. Applicants should be working, or planning to work, on a specific project, with the aim of publication or production, and have a clear idea of how they might use the Library’s resources to achieve that aim. They should be willing to fully participate in all elements of the Programme and immerse themselves in the writing community it offers. There is no application fee and participation on the Programme is funded.

Applicants will be selected anonymously by a panel of judges including YA novelist and essayist Yassmin Abdel-Magied, non-fiction writer Simon Garfield, playwright and novelist Nell Leyshon, poet Rachel Long and literary agent Eli Keren.

The next Programme will run from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.

Successful applicants will be invited to a Programme launch on 6 July 2022.

Sessions are usually on the third Wednesday of the month and alternate between peer support meetings and masterclasses or workshops, all of which are designed to work across all or most forms of writing. The Programme will take place, as much as possible, at the Library, however will be adapted to move online if required according to Covid-19 restrictions. Some access or travel bursaries are available.

Deadline 

11am on 2 March 2022.

https://www.londonlibrary.co.uk/about-us/ll-emerging-writers