TLC to Publish an Anthology Showcasing the Work of Marginalised Writers
Literary Agency AM Heath, as part of its centenary celebrations, has announced its sponsorship of the first TLC Free Reads Anthology. The TLC Free Reads scheme, run since 2001 by The Literary Consultancy, is an Arts Council England funded initiative that supports low-income and otherwise marginalised writers by granting them free access to TLC’s professional feedback service, manuscript assessment. In 2015, TLC was granted a small uplift in funding to develop the scheme further, widening access, introducing new bursaried mentoring placements, and launching the Quality Writing for All Campaign which included travel and access bursaries, as well as a series of events and offers geared towards writers and aspiring editors facing barriers. The scheme and campaign are run in partnership with 17 regional literature partners across England, including five diversity-specific partners working with BAME and disabled writers (Shape Arts, SABLE Lit Mag, Creative Future, Wasafiri, and Exiled Writers).
20 writers will be selected to appear in the anthology from the 118 submissions received by TLC following a mail-out to eligible writers (those in receipt of Free Reads for works of fiction or non-fiction in the QWfA period 2015-18). The anthology will be guest edited by acclaimed novelist Jacob Ross and will feature cover artwork by Hong Dam, a Vietnamese visual artist who is also a Free Reads recipient. Contributors to the anthology will be paid a small fee thanks to AM Heath, and an announcement of the final selection will be made in March. A marketing campaign will promote and champion the work of the writers featured, as well as a Highly Commended list of an additional 15 writers.
To read about what else AM Heath are planning in their centenary year, do read this page on their website where they reveal all of their plans. We are very proud to be working with them.
