Funding is everything to creatives. If writers are unable to access and maintain sustainable careers, taking in a wide range of creative disciplines, skills and intellect, the impacts for them and for society more widely would be far-reaching and profound.

And so then, what support is out there and how can writers access those funds? How do bodies with funding authority allocate their monies? And what of the wider network of funding initiatives and opportunities for writers?  

Join SoA Advisory Clinic podcast host Theo Jones as we bring you another chance to catch up on this timely event thanks to the #SoAathome festival team. Featuring Pete Stones and Patrick Cash from the Arts Council England, Alan Bett from Creative Scotland and Leusa Llewelyn from Literature Wales.

Show notes:  

Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year’s membership. 

ALCS 

Funding Week | Industry Insider - Funding opportunities in England, Scotland and Wales - The Society of Authors 

Anna Ganley - The Society of Authors 

Alan Bett | Creative Scotland 

Our Staff - Literature Wales 

Creators' Rights Alliance 

International Authors Forum – A forum for Authors' Organisations 

The London Book Fair | Defining the Future of Creative Content 

The Society of Authors – The UK trade union for more than 12,500 writers, illustrators and literary translators. 

The Society of Authors Bookshop UK 

Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre - Literature Wales 

Arts Council England Homepage 

Contact us | Arts Council England 

Spread the Word – Helping London's writers make their mark on the page, the screen and in the world. 

the87press 

Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants | Arts Council England 

Diversity | Arts Council England 

Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) | Arts Council England 

Home | Creative Scotland 

Bloody Scotland | International Crime Writing Festival 

Festival Info - Borders Book Festival 

Gutter 

New Writing Scotland - Association for Scottish Literature 

Northwords Now 

Open Funding | Creative Scotland 

Open Fund for Individuals | Creative Scotland 

Dundee and Angus Scots Scriever announced | Creative Scotland 

Scottish Poetry Library - The world's leading resource for Scottish poetry 

Moniack Mhor - Scotland's Creative Writing Centre 

Life of a Book: Author Development Programme - Moniack Mhor 

Scottish Book Trust - Reading, Writing & Literacy Charity - Scottish Book Trust 

Gaelic Books Council - Supporting Scottish Gaelic writers and publishers 

Literature Wales | Developing Literature in Wales 

Arts Council of Wales | Arts Council of Wales 

Children's Laureate Wales - Literature Wales  

Alex Wharton, Children's Laureate Wales 2023-2025 - Literature Wales 

Writers of Wales Directory - Literature Wales 

Information and Background - Literature Wales 

Hay Festival – After Hours Birmingham, 24 July 2025 

Inspiring Communities Fund - Literature Wales 

Individuals | Arts Council of Wales 

Ineligible Application PROJECT GRANTS: Under £15,000 

Rates and fees - The Society of Authors 

Welcome to WGGB: The Writers' Union - The Writers' Guild of Great Britain 

National Union of Journalists (NUJ): Home 

DYCP case studies | Arts Council England 

Contact Us | Creative Scotland 

Join the SoA - The Society of Authors 

Events The Society of Authors 

Donate The Society of Authors – The UK trade union for more than 12,500 writers, illustrators and literary translators. 

On the 25th of February 2025 the industry came together in an unprecedented show of support to recognise the importance of human-centred creativity as developments in the Artificial Intelligence space continued apace.

As government considers their next steps, we reflect on that work and bring you all the latest as the Authors’ Licensing & Collecting Society (ALCS) launch their limited licensing initiatives together with the CLA (the Copyright Licensing Agency) and the Authors’ Guild in the US speak to us about their Human-authored Certification project.

We also bring you up to speed on a recent parliamentary debate on the impact of AI on the creative industries with author and Minister at DCMS Sir Chris Bryant attending for the government.

Featuring Richard Combes from ALCS, Umair Kazi from the Authors’ Guild and a host of parliamentarians.

This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society.

Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year’s membership. 

ALCS

Ambre Morvan - The Society of Authors

The SoA's message to Meta: don't steal our books - The Society of Authors

Petition · Protect authors’ livelihoods from the unlicensed use of their work in AI training - United Kingdom · Change.org

ALCS | ALCS submission to Government’s AI and copyright consultation

ALCS | Changes to Copyright Licensing Agency licences

Human Authored Certification - The Authors Guild

Intellectual Property: Artificial Intelligence - Hansard - UK Parliament

Government consultation on AI and copyright closes with unprecedented day of action by creative sector - The Society of Authors

SoA report into authors’ views on the AI and Copyright consultation - The Society of Authors

Peter Kyle on X: "Thank you to everyone who responded to our consultation on Ai and copyright. As we work through the 11,000 responses I promise no changes will be considered unless we can be sure the solution works for creators- that is a red line and we will honour it. https://t.co/s6Y1OUpv2i" / X

Make It Fair - News Media Association

Pay the Creator — creators' rights alliance

Audio Drama - The Society of Authors

A-Brave-New-World-_ALCS_AI_Report.pdf

Hargreaves review of intellectual property and growth: government response - GOV.UK

Don’t gift our work to AI billionaires: Mark Haddon, Michael Rosen and other creatives urge government | Artificial intelligence (AI) | The Guardian

Public Lending Right (PLR): Eligibility & Registration - The British Library

Collective licence to ensure UK authors get paid for works used to train AI | Books | The Guardian

The Unbelievable Scale of AI’s Pirated-Books Problem - The Atlantic

Federal Law Enforcement Arrests and Indicts Z-Library Operators with AG's Assistance - The Authors Guild

Fair Use Chapter 1 - Circular 92 | U.S. Copyright Office

Supreme Court sides against Andy Warhol Foundation in copyright case : NPR

FAQs on the Human Authored Certification - The Authors Guild

Parliamentlive.tv - Westminster Hall

James Frith MP for Bury North

Carolyn Harris

Home | Wendy Chamberlain MP for North East Fife

Caroline Dinenage MP | Gosport

Oh, I’m sorry, tech bros – did DeepSeek copy your work? I can hardly imagine your distress | Marina Hyde | The Guardian

Contact information for Alison Hume - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament

John McDonnell MP

Lizzi Collinge MP

Chris Bryant MP for Rhondda and Ogmore - Rhondda and Ogmore's Voice

The growth in audiobooks continues apace and as publishers and authors work to establish new routes to market, that growth is clearly a cause for celebration but as we celebrate its meteoric rise, we question its equity. With the rise of streaming on demand on subscription, we break down the definitions, interrogate the payment models and survey the landscape of who is offering what.

This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society.

Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year’s membership. 

https://www.alcs.co.uk/

https://societyofauthors.org/soa-profiles/ambre-morvan/

https://societyofauthors.org/2025/02/25/uk-creative-industries-launch-copyright-fightback-against-global-tech-firms-ai-models/

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-french/stream#:~:text=to%20stream,en%20streaming%20(film%2C%20TV)

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2003/10/16Audible-and-Apple-Announce-Availability-of-Exclusive-Content-Through-Apple-iTunes/

https://societyofauthors.org/2023/10/10/soa-demands-transparency-and-action-on-publishers-streaming-deals-with-spotify/

https://www.audible.co.uk/ep/memberbenefits

https://www.audible.co.uk/ep/audible-plus-member-benefit

https://www.spotify.com/uk/premium/

https://www.findawayvoices.com/earn

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/plus/plans?srsltid=AfmBOord248ssMNqpXRCAzytwzuG9mHwiBul6QlhKECzGo_foZamm6yw

https://www.audiobooks.co.uk/pricing?srsltid=AfmBOoraB1aYyuxLIjOIrXuvPGggrgQc4GkPEa3cPWNKp9VYQW62CbQK

https://www.overdrive.com/

https://www.listening-books.org.uk/

https://itunespartner.apple.com/books/partners

https://societyofauthors.org/2023/11/02/spotify-streaming-deal-send-a-letter-to-your-publisher/

https://societyofauthors.org/where-we-stand/fair-remuneration/#:~:text=The%20success%20of%20Britain's%20creative,in%20every%2011%20working%20people.

https://www.creatorsrightsalliance.org/paythecreator

On the 3rd April 2025, the Society of Authors organised a day of action in protest of Meta’s alleged use of pirated works online to train their Llama AI without permission or payment. In this special podcast we take you back in support of that protest and thank all writers, readers and others for your continued and ongoing support as we continue to navigate the stormy weather wrought by the unregulated field of Artificial Intelligence, and the crucial role played by creators and their works in developments that threaten their future livelihoods and careers. Featuring contributions from Abie Longstaff, AJ West, Anna Ganley, Candy Gourlay, Piers Torday and Kate Mosse. 

This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society.

ALCS 

Discover A.J. West - Official home to author, A.J. West's novels, short stories and more 

UK authors stage protest at Meta HQ against Zuckerberg's #bookthieves - The Society of Authors 

The Unbelievable Scale of AI’s Pirated-Books Problem - The Atlantic 

Petition · Protect authors’ livelihoods from the unlicensed use of their work in AI training - United Kingdom · Change.org 

The SoA's message to Meta: don't steal our books - The Society of Authors 

abielongstaff.com 

Why I – and other bestselling authors – are protesting outside Meta today | The Independent 

Candy Gourlay 

Home - Piers Torday 

Send a Letter to AI Companies Telling Them They Do Not Have the Right to Use Your Work 

Email Your MP — Creative Rights In AI Coalition 

Statement on AI training 

Join the SoA - The Society of Authors 

Make It Fair - News Media Association 

What can you expect from a traditional publisher and where do they add value? How can writers spot worthwhile publishing deals and run for the hills from a dodgy one? And what of pets for online marketing? Step into the SoA Advisory Clinic to learn about all this and more as we bring you another chance to catch up on an event originally produced as part of the London Book Fair’s Writers’ Summit 2025. Featuring the Deputy Chief Executive of the SoA, Sarah Burton, writers Penny Batchelor, Mark Edwards, and SoA Fellow and writer,  Philip Womack.

This podcast is brought to you thanks to the the kind sponsorship of the Authors’ Licensing & Collecting Society. 

Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year’s membership. 

www.alcs.co.uk

Sarah Burton – The Society of Authors 

Philip Womack - Royal Literary Fund 

Penny Batchelor - Author Bookshop UK 

Mark Edwards - Mark Edwards 

Embla Books - Bonnier Books 

The ADCI Literary Prize – The Society of Authors 

Wildlord by Philip Womack (9781912417971/Paperback) | LoveReading4Kids 

Ghostlord by Philip Womack (9781915071262/Paperback) | LoveReading4Kids 

Fellows – The Society of Authors 

Fair remuneration – The Society of Authors 

A profession struggling to sustain itself – The Society of Authors 

Home - Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency 

Self Publishing | Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing 

LJ Ross - The Multi-Million Bestselling Author 

Beautiful Books You Won’t Forget | Salt Publishing 

Bookouture 

Storm Publishing - adult fiction publishing 

Boldwood - Publishing Reimagined 

Substack - A new economic engine for culture 

A guide to the data protection principles | ICO 

End bad practice in ‘hybrid’ / paid-for publishing – sign the open letter – The Society of Authors 

Get in touch – The Society of Authors 

The advisory team on: scams – The Society of Authors 

Public Lending Right (PLR): Eligibility & Registration - The British Library 

Two New Daggers Announced - The Crime Writers’ Association 

Children are the future and children’s literacy in schools is therefore one of our greatest societal concerns. And so, as celebrations draw to a close on another World Book Day and co-host of the podcast Johanna Clarke steps away from the studio to welcome a child of her own, we speak to writers Ian Billings and Davina Hamilton on the role of children’s writers in schools. We also hear from Deborah Maclaren all about her Love Reading for Kids initiative as she teaches us what parents, carers, teachers and librarians can do to support children’s writing in schools and how writers can become involved.  

This podcast is brought to you thanks to the the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society. 

Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year’s membership. 

https://www.alcs.co.uk/ 

https://ianbillings.com/ 

https://www.davinahamilton.com/ 

https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/ 

https://literacytrust.org.uk/  

https://societyofauthors.org/members-area/discounts-offers/tax-insurance/

https://societyofauthors.org/download/dbs-guide-for-members/

https://societyofauthors.org/2024/07/10/preparing-for-author-school-visits/

Roll up and read all about it! The Society of Authors was founded in 1884 and almost immediately the thoroughly Victorian writer Sir Walter Besant became the conductor of its in-house journal The Author. But what would Walter Bessant think of the challenges facing the SoA today? What of The Author and the thoughts of its current editor, James McConnachie?  How does journal commissioning work in practice and how can authors get involved? Join Johanna Clarke and Theo Jones as they interrogate these burning questions and more in this timely investigation from the Society of Authors Advisory Clinic team. Featuring contributions from writer and broadcaster Nicholas Rankin and writer and editor of The Author, James McConnachie.

This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society.

Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year’s membership. 

https://www.alcs.co.uk/ 

https://www.alcs.co.uk/ai-licences/ 

https://societyofauthors.org/resources/ 

https://societyofauthors.org/product/the-author/  

https://www.rlf.org.uk/writer/james-mcconnachie/ 

https://www.faber.co.uk/author/nicholas-rankin/ 

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Walter-Besant 

https://www.sgdl.org/ 

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/alfred-tennyson 

https://www.barbican.org.uk/  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grub_Street 

https://www.theguardian.com/info/guardian-news-media-freelance-charter 

The world of audio drama is a world unlike any other. A world with untold potential and prospect, but as the BBC announce the completement abandonment of the renowned Drama on 3 slot on BBC Radio 3 we hear from a host of radio stars to understand what makes the form in general and that slot in particular so very special. This bonus special episode is brought to you in support of the campaign to Save Audio Drama in association with Equity and the WGGB. Pledge your support here: https://www.change.org/p/save-audio-drama-at-the-bbc. Featuring contributions from Linda Marshall Griffiths, Paterson Joseph, Nell Leyson, Andrew MacCaldon, Timberlake Wertenbaker, Rhiannon Tise, David Morley and Hannah Silva.  This podcast is brought to you thanks to the the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society.

Show notes: 

Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year’s membership. 

https://www.alcs.co.uk/ 

https://www.change.org/p/save-audio-drama-at-the-bbc 

https://writersguild.org.uk/  

https://www.equity.org.uk/  

https://www.lindamarshallgriffiths.co.uk/ 

https://www.hamiltonhodell.co.uk/talent/paterson-joseph/ 

https://www.nellleyshon.com/#Home  

https://www.berlinassociates.com/client-list/andrew-mccaldon  

https://theagency.co.uk/the-clients/timberlake-wertenbaker/  

https://rhiannontise.com/  

https://www.perfectlynormalproductions.com/  

https://www.hannahsilva.co.uk/  

When should a freelance writer register for self-assessment with HMRC? What do they need to file and what records should they keep? And how can they minimise the amount of tax they need to pay? Join tax consultant and honorary treasurer of the Society of Authors, Barry Kernon, as he discusses all these burning questions and more in this special Q&A live podcast recording from the offices of HW Fisher, hosted by the Advisory Clinic’s Johanna Clarke and Theo Jones.

Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year’s membership. 

SoA Sounds podcast episodes - The Society of Authors

HW Fisher - UK Chartered Accountants - London

Barry Kernon - Consultant - HW Fisher

Check if you need to send a Self Assessment tax return - GOV.UK

Pay Class 2 National Insurance if you do not pay through Self Assessment: Overview - GOV.UK

Self-employed National Insurance rates - GOV.UK

File your Self Assessment tax return online - GOV.UK

Reasonable care: tax returns and other documents - GOV.UK

CH51300 - Assessing Time Limits: The Time Limits: What are the new time limits - introduction - HMRC internal manual - GOV.UK

Expenses if you're self-employed: Overview - GOV.UK

HS234 Averaging for creators of literary or artistic works (2023) - GOV.UK

Overview of Making Tax Digital - GOV.UK

Making Tax Digital (MTD) VAT spreadsheet bridging software | AbraTax

About Form W-8 BEN, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting (Individuals) | Internal Revenue Service

Set up a private limited company: Limited companies - GOV.UK

Running a limited company: your responsibilities: Directors’ responsibilities - GOV.UK

Set up a business partnership: Setting up - GOV.UK

Business Relief for Inheritance Tax: Overview - GOV.UK

Public Lending Right (PLR): Eligibility & Registration - The British Library

ALCS

Register for VAT: Cancel your registration - GOV.UK

Self Assessment tax returns: If you no longer need to send a tax return - GOV.UK

https://hwfisher.co.uk/publications/authors-and-freelance-journalists-tax-guide-2023-24/

Tax and insurance - The Society of Authors

Resources - The Society of Authors

 Developments in artificial intelligence continue to threaten creators’ livelihoods and careers with companies continuing to challenge claims of alleged copyright infringement in court and to lobby government for changes to the law. What infringement action is being taken and how clear is the legislation? What legitimate licensing models are being developed and what do they mean for creators? And what of the wider socio-economic implications both for the present and for the future? Join SoA Advisory Clinic hosts Johanna Clarke and Theo Jones for this bonus special episode as they bring you another chance to catch up on an event originally delivered as part of the SOA @ Home festival of online events, to coincide with the SoA’s AGM. Featuring SoA Chief Executive Anna Ganley in conversation with ALCS CEO Barbara Hayes, DACS Head of International, Reema Selhi and lawyer and partner at Howard Kennedy, Mark Stephens CBE.

Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year’s membership. 

Anna Ganley - The Society of Authors

ALCS | Our team

Team - DACS

Mark Stephens CBE

Artificial Intelligence - The Society of Authors

A pro-innovation approach to AI regulation: government response - GOV.UK

SoA survey reveals a third of translators and quarter of illustrators losing work to AI - The Society of Authors

The Bookseller - News - Dutch publisher owned by Simon & Schuster to trial using AI for English-language translations

DACS, the Design & Artists Copyright Society is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to championing, protecting and managing the rights of artists, and maximising their royalties. - DACS

Artists’ Earnings Report by the University of Glasgow and DACS - DACS

ALCS

ALCS | Thank you for your views on AI. What happens next?

The Write Share – A campaign from the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) to address industry-wide challenges faced by writers and promote solutions to support our world-class talent and protect the future of the UK’s creative industries.

The Getty Images v Stability AI dispute: a potential watershed moment for AI and IP - Harbottle and Lewis

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 – Text and Data Mining Exemption

EU Artificial Intelligence Act | Up-to-date developments and analyses of the EU AI Act

Copyright Licensing Agency https://cla.co.uk/

EU Copyright Directive L_2019130EN.01009201.xml

Generative AI opt-outs are unfair and unworkable. Let’s drop the pretense that they’re some sort of compromise. - Music Business Worldwide