The Amazon Literary Partnership (ALP) is back for its fifth year, providing grants to literary organisations that support and champion writers of all ages and stages on their creative journey.
Last year, the ALP supported 35 literary groups across the UK – more than ever before. Beneficiaries include organisations dedicated to helping children and young adults develop their writing skills, and community groups engaging children with the world of words.
The 2024 edition is now open and invites applications from all non-profit literary organisations in the UK and Republic of Ireland for grants to support their work. Details of how to submit an application and the criteria for entering can be found below.
Swanwick Writers’ Summer School’s TopWrite programme
The Swanwick Writers’ Summer School’sTopWrite programme supports 18-30 year-olds who are pursuing a career in writing. Through the ALP, the school has been able to help fund assisted places for aspiring writers . The programme gives young people the opportunity to share a space with artists of all experience levels, backgrounds and genres as well as expand their writing horizons through a myriad of workshops.
Tash, who attended the school through the TopWrite programme said of the experience: “It was a simple application, which helped me understand my experience and plans as a writer. I had an amazing time at Swanwick, meeting people of all ages with all kinds of experience. The atmosphere of the school was so supportive and encouraging, I felt incredibly motivated!”
Supporting underrepresented writers with Creative Future
Creative Future, founded in Brighton in 2007, is home to The Creative Future Writers’ Award, which includes the UK’s only national writing competition for all underrepresented writers, alongside a series of workshops in hubs throughout the UK. The team support local writers who face barriers and lack opportunities, including those with mental health issues and disabilities, neurodivergent and LGTBQIA+ writers, and people from working class and ethnically diverse backgrounds.
Inspiring the next generation with the Super Power Agency
Super Power Agency engages young people aged 8-18 in Edinburgh, hosting workshops and creative programmes to foster excitement about reading and writing.
The charity’s diverse array of workshops includes visiting schools in the local community. Callum, a pupil at Broughton High School in the Scottish capital attended one of Super Power’s first pen pal writing workshops in 2018. Describing himself as a 'turned off' and an 'unengaged' student in a bottom set English class at the time, he was partnered with pen pal Donald, a retired newspaper reporter. Five years later, Callum achieved an A grade in his English exams and gained offers from top universities. He now also works with the Super Power Agency team to inspire others.
“The Super Power Agency workshop played a key role in my social, physical, and mental development and helped really make something of my life," said Callum. "I realised I could be passionate about something meaningful… It allowed me to develop my literacy skills and enjoy school.”
After school creative writing workshops with Fighting Words NI
Fighting Words NI connects young writers aged 6-18 in Northern Ireland to their peers and professional artists. This year, the ALP has helped the team to run weekly workshops with young people to help them with their independent writing projects.
In 2023, the charity, co-founded by Irish author Roddy Doyle, published a new zine, entitled Write Up Your Street, filled with stories, poems, jokes and plays about Belfast, created by young writers aged 8-18. Its initial print run of 4,000 copies flew off the shelves so a further 6,000 copies were printed in October, which were distributed to all libraries across Northern Ireland. The team’s Youth Advisory Panel wrote the foreword to the zine, focusing on how important it is for young people to have their writing published and their voices heard, writing, “It’s a big thing to see your own writing in print. You begin to see that your contribution matters and you can speak out and write your way into change.”
Supported groups
In 2023, the Amazon Literary Partnership awarded funding to these grant recipients.
● Africa Writes (Royal African Society)
● Arvon
● Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust
● Faraway
● Fighting Words Northern Ireland
● Kernow Education Arts Partnership
● Papatango Theatre Company Ltd
● The Poetry Translation Centre
● Queen's University of Belfast Seamus Heaney Centre
● Serendipity (Serendipity Artists Movement Ltd.)
● Swanwick Writers Summer School
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 2024 grants are being accepted between 5th December 2023 and 31st January 2024 for groups operating in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Grant recipients will be notified by 17th May 2024.
Read more or submit your application online.Who is eligible?
Applicants must be a registered nonprofit organisation in the UK or Republic of Ireland, 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.What is the submission period?
Applications can be submitted from 5th December 2023 up until 31st January 2024.
