Continuing the success of the past three years, the Amazon Literary Partnership (ALP) is back for the fourth year providing grants to UK literary organisations that develop emerging writers, support diversity and celebrate storytelling. In 2022, the ALP supported 28 literary groups across the UK. From organisations dedicated to helping children and young adults develop their writing skills (such as the Ministry of Stories, pictured), to those championing the next generation of playwrights who might otherwise lack pathways into theatre.
We hope to help support the voices of the future by funding organisations that help create, publish, learn, teach, experiment and thrive in supporting underrepresented writers. In the US, the Amazon Literary Partnership has provided more than $14 million in funding to hundreds of organisations since 2009.
“Every year we ask people across Scotland to share their true stories with us" said Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, one of the organisations supported in 2022. "The opportunity is open to everyone regardless of writing experience, from those who have never written before to those who write regularly. It’s an opportunity to share personal experiences and for some, to be published for the first time. Books and stories have such a long-lasting legacy, for generations past and those to come. New voices deserve to be heard and we are grateful to The Amazon Literary Partnership for supporting the Your Stories programme and helping to unveil stories and talent right here on our doorsteps.”
Amazon is proud to be working with and supporting organisations that champion a diverse range of voices, from nonprofit writing centres, organisations that empower those from underrepresented communities to tell their own stories, and groups that offer a platform to aspiring writers.
Fighting Words Northern Ireland is another organisation that received a grant in 2022. The charity has provided over 10,000 creative writing opportunities for schools, acting as a force for good for young writers aged 6 to 18 years. Supported by volunteers, Fighting Words NI aims to inspire young people in Northern Ireland and highlight the joy, imagination and creativity in writing by delivering hundreds of free Storymaking Workshops, Write Club Meetings and special projects. The grant received from the Amazon Literary Partnership has helped people like Benji Wallis share his voice through their workshops. Benji’s time on the Young Playwrights Programme provided a foundation for him to reach an important audience and learn about theatre directly from writers, directors, performers, designers, and other creative professionals - and through his story, Benji hopes to inspire young people in Northern Ireland.
“I can confidently say that working with Fighting Words has changed my life forever" said Benji Wallis, a Fighting Words NI Young Playwrights Programme alumni. "I have had constant support since I first worked with them, and they have given me opportunities to share my voice through my unique style of writing. I have met some incredible people through Fighting Words, and I have gone down routes that would have been almost impossible without them. It truly feels like my art is reaching an important audience that can change the future for young writers. Fighting Words is where I belong, and I know it is at the forefront of positive change among young people.”
The Amazon Literary Partnership is now open and invites applications from all non-profit literary organisations for grants to support their work in 2023. Details of how to submit an application and the criteria for entering can be found at the end of this article.
Supported groups
In 2022, the Amazon Literary Partnership awarded funding to these grant recipients.
- Africa Writes (Royal African Society)
- Arkbound Foundation
- ArtfulScribe
- Arvon
- Comma Press
- Creative Future
- Edinburgh World City of Literature Trust
- English PEN
- Fighting Words Northern Ireland
- First Story
- Hosking Houses Trust
- Kernow Education Arts Partnership
- Literacy Pirates
- Literature Works
- Ministry of Stories
- National Centre for Writing
- New Writing North
- New Writing South
- Papatango Theatre Company Ltd
- Royal Society of Literature
- Scottish Book Trust
- Serendipity (Serendipity Artists Movement Ltd.)
- Super Power Agency
- The Literature Prize Foundation
- The Margate Bookie
- The Society of Authors
- The Writers' Summer School
- Writing East Midlands
How do the grants work and how can I apply?
Amazon Literary Partnership provides grants to nonprofit literary organisations on an annual basis. Applications for 2023 grants are being accepted between 29th November 2022 and 31st January 2023. Grant recipients will be notified by 16th May 2023. Due to the volume of requests, we are unable to respond personally to each inquiry, nor can we provide guidance on applications. Please find the online application here.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must be a registered nonprofit organisation in the UK, whose core mission is to develop emerging writers, support diversity, celebrate storytelling, and/or build authors’ careers. Organisations should be structurally and financially sound; display energy, passion, and reach; have an online presence and an enthusiastic membership or readership. Submissions will close on 31st January 2023.
Learn more about this year's Amazon Literary Partnership Award winners.
