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Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · 20h

The winners of Ashdown Forest’s poetry competition are here! 🌲✨

Theme: Connections
🌀 Khudeeja Begum – Threaded Through the Quiet
🌿 Vanessa Lampert – For the Other

Read them 👉 https://ashdownforest.org/winners-of-the-poetry-competition-2025/

#Poetry #RLF #AshdownForest

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Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · 2d

📚 Banned Books Week UK is back, 5–11 Oct! We're supporting @IndexCensorship's #BannedBooksWeek, spotlighting censored books and writers like DH Lawrence, James Joyce & Edna O’Brien.

More here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/banned-books-week-the-rlf-writers-who-faced-censorship/

Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · 7d

Our third poem celebrating #NationalPoetryDay today is 'Legacies' by Garry Mackenzie. You can read all three poems commissioned by the Royal Literary Fund in our 235th year on our website here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/on-the-legacy-of-words/
#RLF #Poetry #Writers

Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · 8d

It’s #NationalPoetryDay! To celebrate the Royal Literary Fund’s 235th anniversary, three RLF poets share reflections on the power of words. Here’s Mark with his new poem, ‘Legacy.’ Read it here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/on-the-legacy-of-words/

Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · 10d

📚 Ian McEwan on Writing ✍️
“I wish someone had told me to embrace the joy of living by one’s writing.”

McEwan reflects on his journey from young writer to acclaimed novelist.
Read more: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/my-writing-life-ian-mcewan/

📸: Bastian Schweitzer

Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · 13d

📚 Why Mentorship Matters to Writers ✍️
Katy Massey on the power of mentoring, drawn from her work with A Writing Chance.
👉 https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/why-mentorship-matters-to-writers/

📸 Photo: 2024–25 cohort by Dan Haworth-Salter.

Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · 14d

We asked our new 2025/2026 RLF University Fellows their best advice for aspiring writers. ✍️ What's the best advice you've ever been given about writing?

Find out more about the RLF University Fellowship scheme and see all the 2025/2026 new Fellows here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowship-scheme/

Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · 14d

We asked our new 2025/2026 RLF University Fellows their best advice for aspiring writers. ✍️ What's the best advice you've ever been given about writing?

Find out more about the RLF University Fellowship scheme and see all the 2025/2026 new Fellows here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowship-scheme/

Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · 16d

Screenwriter Sameera Steward (who has written for BBC + Netflix TV shows) talks about how her RLF hardship grant was life-changing. If you or a professional writer you know is struggling financially, we are here to help.
Check your eligibility on our website. 📚

Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · 17d

The @WritersMosaic Quarterly: Iranian Women’s Voices is out now! Read the online version in full here: https://writersmosaic.org.uk/category/limited-series/iranian-womens-voices/
Also available as a print insert in The Bookseller.

Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · 21d

🎧 September’s Collected Podcasts:
🎙 Ep 491: Doug Johnstone with Marianne Colbran on crime writing, TV pressures & finding your voice.
🎙 Ep 492: Julia Copus with Blake Morrison on memoir, range & the RLF archives.

Listen here 👉 https://podcast.rlf.org.uk/

Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · 22d

📚 RLF Fellows’ News – Sept 2025 ✍️
From new book launches to festival appearances, broadcast highlights, major awards + more, it’s a busy month for our Fellows.
Discover all the latest news via the link: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/rlf-fellows-news-september-2025/

RLF Fellows' News: September 2025

September 2025 Books, events, broadcasts, festival appearances and more from our RLF and WritersMosaic writers.

www.rlf.org.uk

Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · 27d

📚My Writing Life: Matthew Barry ✍️
Last year BAFTA-winning screenwriter Matthew Barry, who wrote Welsh thriller The Guest – currently showing on BBC One and iPlayer – spoke to us about his writing life and inspirations:
https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/my-writing-life-matthew-barry/

Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · 29d

This Saturday, Book Slam, London’s original literary juke joint, is teaming up with the Royal Society of Literature at Somerset House.

Get your FREE tickets: https://bookslam.com.

Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · Sep 9

📚 My Writing Life with Sanjida O’Connell ✍️
Sanjida O’Connell is an RLF Fellow and thriller writer. She shares her journey from studying zoology under her stepfather’s guidance to crafting gripping psychological thrillers: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/my-writing-life-sanjida-o-connell/

Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · Sep 9

📚 My Writing Life with Sanjida O’Connell ✍️
Sanjida O’Connell is an RLF Fellow and thriller writer. She shares her journey from studying zoology under her stepfather’s guidance to crafting gripping psychological thrillers here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/my-writing-life-sanjida-o-connell/

Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · Sep 8

Congratulations to former RLF Trustee Richard Holmes, JB Priestley Award recipient Adam Weymouth and all those longlisted for this years Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction. #BGPrize2025

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Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · Aug 28

We’re proud to support Contains Strong Language 🎤✨ Bradford’s festival of poetry, spoken word & performance, 18–21 Sept.

50+ FREE events: BBC broadcasts, workshops, new writing & exclusive performances - incl. our own John Siddique.

Book now 👉 bradford2025.co.uk/event/contai...

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Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · Aug 26

📚 My Writing Life: Adam Weymouth ✍️
Writer and journalist @adamweymouth.bsky.social reveals his must-read book, 'The Border Trilogy' and gives a glimpse into his creative process as he balances school runs, coastal cycles, and immersive journeys. Read the article here:
www.rlf.org.uk/posts/my-wri...

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Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · Aug 19

The relentless brilliance of Muriel Spark ✍️
RLF Fellow Lauren J. Joseph took a look through our archives to find novelist Muriel Spark's letters to the RLF, reflecting on a quality many writers have to develop and which Spark had in spades. Read the article here: www.rlf.org.uk/posts/the-re...

Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · Aug 15

RLF beneficiary, Edith Nesbit, created timeless stories that cemented her as a children's literature trailblazer. The Edith Nesbit Society and its president, Jacqueline Wilson, celebrate her legacy annually on her birthday, August 15th. 📚

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Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · Aug 12

📚 My Writing Life: Lisa Parry ✍️
Dive into the world of playwright and screenwriter Lisa Parry in our latest ‘My Writing Life’. Uncover her must-read books, and get a glimpse into her creative process as she juggles writing, research, and rehearsals. Read here: www.rlf.org.uk/posts/my-wri...

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Royal Literary Fund @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social · Aug 6

RLF Fellows’ July news: new books from Roopa Farooki & Alex Wong; Stephen Wyatt’s BBC Radio 4 drama; Booker Prize longlist for Andrew Miller & Jonathan Buckley; Gwyneth Lewis wins Wales Book Award.
Read more: www.rlf.org.uk/posts/rlf-fe...

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