At TLC, we have spent many years advocating for writers. In order to do this, we have been examining what ‘literary culture’ means through a series of programmes and partnerships. Because in order to champion writers, it’s important we understand the ecology of the industry into which writers are being sent: how their work is received, how literary initiatives are funded, what author care looks like, what changes have been happening in the publishing industry, etc. We are very proud to have been able to work on a number of initiatives and projects that have allowed us to think deeply about these questions, to better serve our community.

Literature currently receives the smallest percentage of arts funding, author earnings are in freefall, and reading for pleasure is at an all-time low. And yet, we know that our community continues to love and value literature.

So, we are programming this free Symposium for all writers, readers, thinkers, storytellers, whose passion for writing and literature is not fully represented in the conversations happening within the industry.

‘Literature’ isn’t just the 1% of books that end up on bookshelves. We know that because we’ve had the immense privilege of working for 30 years with the 99%. It’s where so much of the magic really happens.

At our Symposium, we will be presenting our findings from some of the work we have been doing over the last three years. We will be presenting exciting micro commissions interpreting the work we have done creatively, offering a session on restorative care, and representing real writers’ voices to the wider industry. We will also be launching our Culture of Care, and our Climate Action Toolkit for Writers.

We very much hope you enjoy this celebration of literary culture.

Symposium timings (online, captioned)

Intro & welcome 2-2.15pm
Literary Culture creative presentations 2.15-2.45
Why Do We Write? Monique Jackson
On Creative Wellbeing, Anne Teahan 
Manifesto for the Future, Degna Stone
3-4.00 Introduction to Restorative Care Practice
4.00-4.15 Launching our Culture of Care for Writers and Climate Action Toolkit for Writers
4.15-4.45 Literary Culture Survey presentation and discussion with audience
END