‘Free Reads’ is a bursary scheme funded by Arts Council England, and delivered by The Literary Consultancy (TLC), with National Centre for Writing (NCW) covering applications from writers based in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk or Suffolk.
It offers low-income writers based in the East of England free access to TLC’s services for writers, primarily its manuscript assessment offer, as well as events tickets, travel and access bursaries, and mentorships.
Apply now | National Centre for Writing | NCW
Writers can apply for the Free Reads scheme through NCW until Monday 12 January 2026.
Who is it for?
Free Reads is for low-income writers based in the East of England, writing in English, who may not have the financial stability to afford TLC’s regular manuscript assessment fees (their commercial service is open to all). The scheme prioritises those from under-represented backgrounds (including disabled writers, neurodivergent writers, Black, Asian, and Global Majority writers, and members of the LGBT+ community).
You can submit prose (fiction and non-fiction), short stories, children’s fiction including picture books, poetry, scripts, and screenplays. They are unfortunately unable to accept academic works for manuscript assessment.
Please get in touch via academy@nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk if you would like assistance completing the form.
You cannot apply for a Free Read two years in a row. You must be over 16.
What do the selected writers receive?
It is a free bursary for The Literary Consultancy’s manuscript assessment services. TLC’s manuscript assessment service provides writers of all levels with an honest, detailed and professional market-aware manuscript appraisal from a highly skilled editor. Through written feedback, the assessment will help you understand where your work currently sits in relation to the commercial literary marketplace and offer practical developmental advice for next steps. The principal focus in all instances of the manuscript assessment is editorial.
For full details visit
nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/get-involved/writers/free-reads/apply-now/