Posted By: Rowan Whiteside, 20 July 2012
So you’ve written a book. Or a collection of short stories, or a play, or a treatment, or a collection of poetry...
Congratulations!
Now, what’s next?
It is difficult to negotiate the tricky world of publishing- what in the past was complicated is now made infinitely more so with the advent of online self-publishing. The TLC Free Reads scheme helps you to develop and promote your manuscript by providing you with sage industry advice and honest and constructive feedback.
Writers’ Centre Norwich, The Literary Consultancy and Arts Council England have teamed up to provide you with the opportunity to have your manuscript entered into the scheme. Specifically geared towards those on a low income (find out more about what low-income means) the TLC Free Reads provides a valuable service for aspiring writers across all genres in the East of England. If you don’t fit exactly into the low-income criteria but feel that the service would otherwise be out of your financial reach then please do still apply and just attach an explanation!
Writing is, by necessity, a lonely activity, but eventually you will need someone else’s opinion- unless you are marvellously self-assured. You get to the stage when you’ve sweated blood to write something which you love (or you reach the stage where, actually, you hate everything you’ve written and think it’s the biggest load of rubbish ever typed) and you need somebody neutral to read it and give their opinion and advice. That’s the service that TLC Free Reads provide: constructive criticism and counsel.
And it helps! Here’s what a few of our previous Free Reads winners had to say:
‘The TLC Free Read was constructive;...the whole process sharpened my writing and has been really positive and encouraging. I'm very grateful for the opportunity you gave and the belief you extended to my work!’
Tista Austin, Winner, 2011/12
‘It was a huge motivation and encouragement to be offered the free read... the free read report on my book was helpful, and answered the questions I had. I particularly appreciated having a writer looking at my work and I found their perspective and analysis useful.’
Winner, 2010/11
You can visit The Literary Consultancy’s website for
more testimonials and success stories.
What are you waiting for? Give your writing a chance to shine with the TLC Free Reads scheme!
Find out more information on our
TLC Free Reads submissions page.
Visit
The Literary Consultancy’s Website
For writing tips visit
our Pinterest page.
