It’s that time again, when we’re offering Cumbrian writers the opportunity of a free critical read from The Literary Consultancy.
‘It has given me the confidence to send my work off again’
– previous recipient of a TLC Free Read
What are TLC Free Reads?
The Literary Consultancy is an editorial consultancy service. They will look at your manuscript, and provide professional, in-depth editorial advice and assessment.
Through the Free Reads scheme (funded by Arts Council England, and run in conjunction with a number of regional partners, including ourselves), the Literary Consultancy offers access to their paid service, on a bursary basis. Free Reads are processed in exactly the same way as a paid-for client’s work would be processed, and they receive a manuscript assessment.
TLC has helped a number of writers on to publication, but its main aim is to support writers in developing their work. TLC hand-matches each incoming manuscript to a suitable reader from its list of 80+ professional editors, and writers can expect to receive feedback in the form of a written critique, sent within 4-6 weeks of the application being processed.
The Free Read scheme particularly welcomes applications from writers belonging to groups currently under-represented in publishing including women writers, disabled writers, BAME writers, and members of the LGBQT community.
Criteria and Eligibility:
The Free Read scheme is for low income, high-quality writers. Please ensure that you include proof of income with your submission. Acceptable documents include: Job Seekers Allowance; Disability benefit; Income Support; Working tax credit; Student; Over 60.
The Free Read scheme particularly welcomes applications from writers belonging to groups currently under-represented in publishing including women writers, disabled writers, BAME writers, and members of the LGBQT community.
We’re looking for people for whom a Free Read would have a big impact. So if you’re unpublished and thinking about submitting your first manuscript to agents / editors, then this would be perfect for you.
If you’ve published lots of books already, and have a trophy cabinet brimming with awards, then maybe this isn’t the best service for you at that advanced stage. However, if you’ve published lots as, say, a poet, and you’re now writing your first novel, then you are absolutely eligible for a read, as this is a new form you are experimenting with, and developmental feedback is likely to be beneficial as you move between disciplines.
What types of writing can I send?
The scheme is open to writers across all forms and genres. The majority of submissions tend to be fiction, but please don’t forget that we also accept poetry, short stories, scripts and screenplays and radio plays.
There is no upper limit on word count, but please only submit one manuscript, e.g. one collection of short stories or poems, or one novel.
There is no lower limit on word count either, but we are unlikely to award Free Reads to very small fractions of manuscripts. E.g. if you submit a 1500 word extract of a novel, your submission is unlikely to be successful.