The latest news from ALCS

Daljit Nagra on writing poetry

Daljit Nagra is an award-winning poet, Chair of the Royal Society of Literature, a professor in creative writing at Brunel University, and the poet-in-residence for BBC Radio 4.
15/11/2023

All Party Writers Group roundtable on Freelancer Commissioner proposal

14/11/2023

ALCS joint statement on Government’s AI Safety Summit

31/10/2023

September distribution 2023: Top facts and figures

Last month, ALCS paid 29,535 members a share of £13,530,307.53. We've put together some headline statistics.
17/10/2023

Happy 90th birthday to Maureen Duffy, ALCS Honorary President

16/10/2023

ALCS hosts panel for better writer support at Labour Party Conference

12/10/2023

September 2023 distribution: What you need to know

Next week, ALCS will pay £13,530,307.53 to 29,535 members. Payments should reach UK bank accounts on or around 27 September.
21/09/2023

ALCS gives evidence at government committee on creator remuneration

20/09/2023

Interview with Christine Pillainayagam and Leah Thaxton, winners of Branford Boase Award

19/09/2023

ALCS welcomes report on artificial intelligence

Earlier this month, the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Select Committee published the report Connected tech: AI and creative technology.
10/09/2023

Meeting our members in Edinburgh

Last week, ALCS welcomed members to a drinks reception in the beautiful Great Hall of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
01/09/2023

It’s time to fix it for freelancers

In May, ALCS called on the government to introduce a Freelancer Commissioner to the Department for Media, Culture and Sport. CEO Barbara Hayes explains why this is urgently needed to address deep-rooted issues facing self-employed writers.
21/08/2023

Our submission to Public Lending Right consultation

20/08/2023

Interview with Connie Wanek, winner of the CLiPPA 2023

17/08/2023

ALCS appoints author and technology expert Tom Chatfield as new Chair

09/08/2023

An update

Jo Revill will be moving on from her role as Chair of the Board of the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society and Co-Chair of the Board of the Copyright Licensing Agency on 28 July 2023 in order to pursue other opportunities.
28/07/2023

Matthew Jacobs Morgan on life as a screenwriter

Matthew Jacobs Morgan is a screenwriter, actor and director. He made the transition from acting to writing with a series of short films before writing for TV shows such as Hollyoaks. Most recently, he wrote an episode of supernatural thriller, The Rig. Matthew explains how he became a writer, what the process of writing for TV is like, and what the industry needs to change.
17/07/2023

Our submission to the Digital Markets, Competitions and Consumer Bill

16/07/2023

Our response to the Government’s AI White Paper

We recently responded to a consultation on the Government White Paper “AI regulation: a pro-innovation approach”.
16/07/2023

Winners announced for CLiPPA 2023

The CLiPPA (CLPE Children’s Poetry Award), sponsored by ALCS, is the UK’s only dedicated award for poetry for children.
12/07/2023

Celebrating emerging film talent at the Film the House winners’ ceremony

06/07/2023

SoA Awards 2023: Ciarán Folan wins ALCS Tom-Gallon Trust Award

29/06/2023

Winners from the Yoto Carnegies 2023

ALCS is proud to sponsor the Yoto Carnegies, the UK’s longest-running book awards for children and young people. Winners were announced today in a live-streamed ceremony at The Barbican.
21/06/2023

Meet your new Non-Executive Director: Edwin Thomas

We sat down with Edwin Thomas, one of two new Non-executive Directors, to learn more about his career as an author and what he sees as the biggest challenge facing writers.
20/06/2023

Meet your new Non-Executive Director: Kit Fan

We sat down with Kit Fan, one of two new Non-executive Directors, to learn more about his background and his motivation for joining ALCS.
20/06/2023

Our principles for AI and authors

Recent developments in artificial intelligence have created a wave of excitement about its possible applications, but also genuine concern about the potential for writers’ works to be exploited without recognition or compensation.
24/05/2023

Celebrating copyright

ALCS is proud to sponsor the Yoto Carnegies and the CLiPPA Poetry Award. As part of our ongoing commitment to educate the writers of tomorrow about the value of copyright, we have launched a series of copyright quizzes for both awards.
23/05/2023

Jo Revill on the London Book Fair

You wouldn’t normally imagine that words spoken about copyright could be beautiful, would you? Rather, it is usually assumed that conversations on copyright will be dry, legalistic and impenetrable to outsiders.
27/04/2023

Let’s talk about AI

Recent advances in AI have got everybody talking, from fake celebrity interviews to schools supervising student coursework amid plagiarism fears. We outline what AI is and what it means for writers.
26/04/2023

We want to get to know you better!

We’d love it if you could spend a few minutes to complete our survey.
26/04/2023

March distribution 2023: Top facts and figures

Last month, ALCS paid 101,462 members a share of £32,150,219. Here are some of our headline statistics.
25/04/2023

‘It means the world to me’: Interview with Juno Dawson

24/04/2023
Comedy Women in Print Prize

Michelle Gallen wins top award at Comedy Women in Print Prize 2022/23

20/04/2023

Kaliane Bradley wins V. S. Pritchett Short Story Prize 2022

30/03/2023

Your distribution questions answered

We answer your most pressing questions about our recent record-breaking distribution.
28/03/2023

Jo Revill on writers, rapid change and finding solutions

27/03/2023

Public Lending Right study given go ahead at the UN

23/03/2023

“Reading has completely changed who I am”: Nigel Lungenmuss-Ward on championing literacy

21/03/2023

Connor Allen and Anita Sullivan scoop Imison and Tinniswood Awards

20/03/2023

Yoto Carnegies 2023: shortlists announced

The UK’s longest running book awards for children and young people, the Yoto Carnegies, announced their 2023 shortlists.
17/03/2023

Spring Budget 2023: its impact on writers and the creative sector

16/03/2023

March 2023 distribution: What you need to know

Next month, ALCS will pay around £31million to our members. Payments should reach UK bank accounts on or around 22 March.
27/02/2023

A tribute to Janet Anderson

ALCS is deeply saddened by the news that Janet Anderson, a passionate champion of writers’ rights, has passed away aged 73.
24/02/2023

What’s the T? wins Educational Writers’ Award 2022

23/02/2023

Dapo Adeola and Nigel Lungenmuss-Ward win Ruth Rendell Award 2022

23/02/2023

ALCS-funded research inspires new non-fiction prize for women

22/02/2023

Imison Award 2023: shortlist announced

The award, sponsored by ALCS, recognises the best radio script from a newcomer to the field.
10/02/2023

Tinniswood Award 2023: shortlist announced

The award, sponsored by ALCS, recognises the year’s best radio drama script.
07/02/2023

Why we’re changing our commission rate

From March 2023, the commission rate charged to members on distribution payments will increase from 9.5% to 10%.
26/01/2023

Ruth Rendell Award: shortlist announced

The Ruth Rendell Award was launched by ALCS and The National Literacy Trust in memory of the author who championed literacy throughout her life.
26/01/2023

What members can expect from ALCS in 2023

Chief Executive Barbara Hayes and other members of the leadership team explain their focus for writers and their rights in the year ahead.
24/01/2023

ALCS welcomes reversal of Channel 4 privatisation

ALCS is delighted that the government has confirmed Channel 4 will remain publicly owned and believes that changes to the broadcaster’s remit will be beneficial for the creative sector.
23/01/2023

ALCS Educational Writers’ Award shortlist announced

23/01/2023
Photo of Jo Revill, Chair of ALCS Board

Meet your new Chair, Jo Revill

Earlier this month, Jo Revill was appointed Chair of the ALCS Board for a three-year term. Read on to find out more about her and why she took on the role.
20/01/2023
Playwright David Edgar pictured with his wife and co-writer Stephanie Dale

Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Awards 2023: Winners announced

17/01/2023
Women reading to young child

Give the gift of reading this December

Every year we highlight a Christmas good cause with a special resonance for writers. This year we have chosen Schoolreaders.
16/12/2022

Joan Smith on the challenges of advocating for writers

14/12/2022
Photo of Tony Bradman talking to ALCS members

Looking back with Tony Bradman

We sat down with outgoing ALCS Chair Tony Bradman to reflect on his past six years in the role and his proudest achievements in that time.
13/12/2022

Why writers are at a loss for words

Writers are the wealth generators of the UK economy: we love to watch their shows, read their books and be captivated by their words. Writing as a career too is one that many aspire to, but while it may be perceived to be well-paid, the latest in a series of authors’ earnings surveys funded by ALCS, shows a profession struggling to sustain itself.
06/12/2022

ALCS Annual General Meeting 2023

The 45th ALCS Annual General Meeting was held at the Royal Society of Arts in London on 23 November.
30/11/2022

Meet Barbara Hayes

On 1 November 2022, after 18 years at ALCS, Barbara Hayes took over as Chief Executive of ALCS. We caught up with her to find out a little more about her aspirations for the role.
28/11/2022

The impact of the Autumn Statement on writers and culture sector

26/11/2022

ALCS AGM 2022

The 44th ALCS Annual General Meeting was held in Norwch, at the historic Dragon Hall on 24 November.
25/11/2022

ALCS appoints author and strategist Jo Revill as new Chair

25/11/2022

September 2022: Top facts and figures

In September 2022, ALCS paid around 38,000 members a share of over £13million. Here are some of our headline statistics.
19/10/2022

‘Lots of 5:30am alarms and a sticker system’: Alexandra Sheppard on life as an author

12/10/2022
Image of Owen Atkinson wearing a shirt and black jacket with a dark blue background

Owen Atkinson retires

Long-serving ALCS Chief Executive Owen Atkinson has announced his retirement after representing authors’ rights for 25 years.
11/10/2022

Our Board is recruiting a Non-Executive Chair – do you have the relevant skills?

21/09/2022

Your guide to payments

In September 2022, 38k (around a third) of ALCS members received a share of just over £13million. Here’s a guide to statements for those included in this distribution.
20/09/2022

Help us to protect educational writers

ALCS co-signed a letter back in July along with other book sector organisations to halt Government plans to develop comprehensive educational resources from the Oak National Academy. 
25/08/2022

‘I never intended to write,’ says Dr Penelope Leach

24/08/2022

Two positions available on our Board of Directors

Are you interested in standing for election to the ALCS Board of Directors? This year there are two positions available, both representing authors across the spectrum.  
24/08/2022

We ask Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss to protect our culture sector

17/08/2022

ALCS continues to support writers through the SoA Emergency Fund

16/08/2022
Graphic image of two schoolchildren sitting atop a pile of colourful books on a yellow background.

The School Library Association champions school libraries at the House of Commons

11/08/2022
Lemn Sissay, Will McPhail and Joanne Harris stand on stage at the 2022 SoA Awards ceremony. They are smiling at the camera and the audience are visible behind them.

SoA 2023 Awards open, including new prize to encourage disability representation in literature

10/08/2022

ALCS signs letter to Government on text and data mining exception 

21/07/2022

ALCS urges rethink on plans for arm’s-length curriculum body

21/07/2022

Valerie Bloom wins CLiPPA in celebration of children’s poetry

08/07/2022

CWA Dagger Awards 2022: winners announced

The winners of the 2022 CWA Daggers, which honour the very best in the crime writing genre, have been announced. ALCS is proud to support crime writers and one of these esteemed awards, the CWA ALCS Gold Dagger For Non-Fiction.
30/06/2022

‘Stories change lives’: An interview with Katya Balen, Yoto Carnegie Medal winner

20/06/2022

APWG Summer Reception brings writing industry together at Parliament

17/06/2022

Story about off-grid living wins Yoto Carnegie Medal while graphic novel is first to win Kate Greenaway in 50 years

16/06/2022

New SoA fiction prize encourages positive representation of disability in literature

10/06/2022

Kanya D’Almeida wins ALCS Tom-Gallon Trust Award, and more SoA Award winners announced

31/05/2022

Read this before signing with a publisher

So-called ‘hybrid,’ ‘contributory,’ ‘subsidy’ or ‘partnership’ publishers have a lot in common with what used to be called ‘vanity’ publishers. With support from ALCS, UK writers’ unions SoA and WGGB have come up with some easy ways to help you distinguish between a publisher and the ‘hybrid’ model.
23/05/2022

CWA Dagger Award Shortlists announced

The 2022 shortlists for the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Dagger awards, which honour the very best in the crime-writing genre and are sponsored by ALCS, have been announced.
17/05/2022

‘A strange, rich and often dazzling collection’ – 2022 SoA Awards shortlists announced

05/05/2022

Diverse, accessible, essential: shortlist announced for 2022 CLiPPA

04/05/2022

Is it a steal?: Report on ‘hybrid’ publishers exposes widespread bad practice

03/05/2022

APWG and ALCS celebrate under-represented writers with New Writing North initiative

25/04/2022

‘It’s like spinning plates’: Cecilia Knapp on making a career out of writing

25/04/2022

March distribution 2022: top facts and figures

In March, ALCS paid 97,976 members a share of £26.8million. Here’s a glimpse of our headline statistics.
22/04/2022

Channel 4 privatisation: What ALCS has to say

ALCS expresses its concerns over the privatisation of Channel 4.
22/04/2022

AuthorSHARE scheme: How much was paid out for the sale of used books

22/04/2022

#MyCKGShelfie – Book Giveaway

***THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED***
20/04/2022
Comedy Women in Print Prize

Michelle Gallen wins top prize at Comedy Women in Print Awards 2022/23

19/04/2022

UK’s only award for creative educational writing (EWA) is open for submissions

05/04/2022

Faebian Averies and the late Sonya Hale scoop Imison and Tinniswood Awards respectively

29/03/2022

March distribution 2022: your questions answered

Here we answer our members' top distribution questions.
27/03/2022

ALCS expresses concerns for writers in response to Spring Statement

24/03/2022

A glance at some of the UK’s most amazing bookshops, chosen by ALCS members for #LoveMyBookshop

24/03/2022

New #PayTheCreator campaign calls for respect for creators when it comes to pay

17/03/2022

Shortlists for Yoto Carnegie Greenaway Awards celebrate the power of friendship

16/03/2022

WGGB New Play Commission Scheme brings “lifeline to writers” post-Covid

15/03/2022

UK’s emerging film professionals win awards in parliament ceremony

09/03/2022

ALCS is proud to stand with Ukraine

The Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) is proud to stand with Ukraine and declare solidarity with all the people living in Ukraine, as well as with our fellow Ukrainian writers.
03/03/2022

Pandemic continues to impact on authors’ wellbeing, reveals Society of Authors’ survey

03/03/2022

Writer & illustrator Sarah Maycock talks career highs and lows, mental health and whales

22/02/2022

Tell us how much you love your bookshop

As part of our advocacy work, ALCS wants to highlight how different parts of the writing sector positively affect each other. That's why we want to celebrate bookshops, bookselling, and the culture of books and reading. #LoveMyBookshop
22/02/2022

March 2022 distribution: What you need to know

Next month, ALCS will pay approximately 90,000 members a share of around £27million. Payments should reach UK bank accounts on or around 23 March.
21/02/2022

Levelling Up White Paper risks levelling down deprived areas

16/02/2022

Yoto Carnegie Greenaway Awards announce longlists

The 2022 longlists of the UK’s longest-running and best-loved book awards for children and young people have been announced today. They are proudly sponsored by ALCS.
16/02/2022

Jack Thorne Honoured at Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Awards

15/02/2022

Sarah Death wins the Bernard Shaw Prize for translation for the third time

11/02/2022

Imison and Tinniswood Awards: shortlists announced

ALCS is a proud sponsor of the Imison and Tinniswood Awards, part of the BBC Audio Drama Awards.
10/02/2022

We love what you do and we want you to be paid fairly for it. Fill in our survey

27/01/2022

What members can expect from ALCS in 2022

Chief Executive Owen Atkinson and more members of the leadership team explain their focus for writers, and writers' rights, for the year ahead.
24/01/2022

A change to ALCS claims guidelines – newspaper supplements

24/01/2022

Government defers copyright law changes

A government announcement on Tuesday revealed copyright law changes are on hold.
19/01/2022

Celebrating excellence and learning at the ALCS Awards

20/12/2021

Give an inclusive book to a child this Christmas

Every December we highlight a good Christmas cause with a special resonance for writers. This year it's Books for Change.
20/12/2021

Helen Blakeman on lockdown, reading, and her substitute for travel

20/12/2021

Leeor Ohayon wins £1,000 V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize 2021

15/12/2021

“Sometimes I Feel…” by Sarah Maycock wins ALCS Educational Writers’ Award

07/12/2021

Writer and literacy champion Cecilia Knapp scoops 2021 Ruth Rendell Award

07/12/2021

Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Awards: Shortlists Announced

07/12/2021

First ever RSL International Writers announced

The new RSL International Writers programme recognises writers from all over the world for the first time.
01/12/2021

ALCS Board Election Results 2021

At the Annual General Meeting on 25th November, the results of the 2021 ALCS election for three Board Directors were announced.
29/11/2021

‘The art of translation is alive and thriving’: 2021 Translation Prizes shortlists

29/11/2021

AGM: The year in numbers, plus meet new Board members

26/11/2021

Who received royalties from first AuthorSHARE payment

26/11/2021

Number of characters of colour in children’s books is increasing, reports survey

26/11/2021

Update your visual contributions by 31 December

Make sure your list of works registered with ALCS is up to date so you can get paid in September's distribution.
26/11/2021

September distribution 2021: Top 3 sources of income, plus more facts & figures

25/11/2021

Film the House shortlists young creative talent

Competition aimed at finding the UK scriptwriters and filmmakers of tomorrow announces shortlist.
24/11/2021

2021 V. S. Pritchett Short Story Prize: shortlist

The unpublished short stories shortlisted for the £1,000 prize have been announced.
24/11/2021

2022 CILIP Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Medals nominations announced

17/11/2021

V. S. Pritchett longlist announced

This year the competition was judged by Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, Paul McVeigh and Emma Jane Unsworth.
15/11/2021

See which books made the ALCS Educational Writers’ Award shortlist

15/11/2021
Comedy Women in Print Prize

Jesse Sutanto wins 2021 Comedy Women in Print Prize

11/11/2021

ALCS response to autumn budget and spending review

The Budget and Spending Review, announced on 27 October, provides a welcome boost to the recovery package for cultural institutions and the high street. But it does not go far enough in supporting writers, says ALCS.
27/10/2021

WRITERS! ADD ARTICLE CONTRIBUTIONS BY 30 NOVEMBER

Register your most recent magazine and journal articles to ensure you receive any payment due.
27/10/2021

My Writing Living: Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp

The literary translator who works from Arabic, Russian and German tells us how early childhood experiences sparked a love of languages, leading to a writing living which combines translation with teaching and activism
25/10/2021

Celebrating National Poetry Day 2021

To mark this year's National Poetry Day, ALCS commissioned new work from Karl Nova about the choice enshrined in copyright.
23/10/2021

Comedy Women in Print Prize 2021: Shortlists announced

22/10/2021

More than a thousand authors call on publishers to put #TranslatorsOnTheCover

22/10/2021

‘Created by’ Credit and Positive Collaborations guidelines launched by the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain

22/10/2021

CLiPPA 2021 winner announced

Acclaimed children’s poet Michael Rosen wins the ALCS-sponsored Award with a powerful collection that declares 'home is where you find it'
22/10/2021

The Smart Fund launches report to government on sustainable funding for creators

21/10/2021

ALCS Autumn Spending Review Submission

ALCS calls on Chancellor to support authors with four recommendations for the Comprehensive Spending Review.
04/10/2021

LEADING PLAYWRIGHTS BACK WGGB AND PMA’S NEW DIGITAL PRINCIPLES FOR THEATRE

22/09/2021

September 2021 ALCS Distribution: Your guide to payments

20/09/2021

All Stories announces first cohort of children’s writer mentees

20/09/2021

ALCS highlights shocking new research on the potential impact of proposed copyright changes

31/08/2021

YOUR GUIDE TO THE SEPTEMBER 2021 ALCS DISTRIBUTION

The next ALCS distribution will take place on 29 September 2021 with over 30,000 members receiving a share of £12 million. Here’s your guide to this, the second distribution of 2021.
24/08/2021

ALCS board elections 2021: what you need to know

Three positions are available on the ALCS board in this year's election. Read on for more information about the kind of candidates we’re looking for and what the roles entail.
24/08/2021

Save our Books: Campaign update

Over 800 emails have been sent to 350 MPs as part of our contribution to the Save our Books campaign. However, this means that half of MPs still haven’t been contacted about this vital campaign, which aims to protect the copyright laws which ensure authors retain control over selling their work around the world.
24/08/2021

Society of Authors’ Awards 2022 open for entries

The 2022 Society of Authors’ Awards are now open for entries, with seven prizes spanning fiction, poetry, non-fiction and illustrated children’s books, including the ALCS Tom-Gallon Trust Award.
11/08/2021

BBC Audio Drama Awards open for nominations

Entries are now open for two BBC Audio Drama Awards for scriptwriting, run annually, administered by the Society of Authors and sponsored by ALCS.
09/08/2021

ALCS Board elections 2021

This year, three positions are available on the ALCS Board of Directors.
21/07/2021

NEW VOICES AND THE UK’S BEST-LOVED CHILDREN’S POET: 2021 CLIPPA SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

19/07/2021

Save our Books: Help us to help you

We are asking ALCS members to contact their MPs as part of the Save our Books campaign, which aims to protect the copyright laws which ensure authors retain control over selling their work around the world.
19/07/2021

MPs are Poets at Heart according to Westminster Writing Quiz

16/07/2021

CWA Dagger Awards 2021 winners announced

The winners of the 2021 CWA Daggers, which honour the very best in the crime writing genre, have been announced.
02/07/2021

ALCS supports The Smart Fund

The proposed Smart Fund could generate a huge annual investment for the creative industries and boost a wider economic recovery.
30/06/2021

Save our Books, and their Authors

A recently-launched consultation from the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is reviewing the framework for copyright laws now the UK has left the EU, and its proposed changes have the potential to severely reduce authors' incomes. So we'll be calling on ALCS members to help us halt these potential disastrous amendments.
24/06/2021

MY WRITING LIVING: BETH REEKLES

The author of The Kissing Booth series on getting published as a teenager, the importance of engaging with her readers, and why, despite her writing success, she hasn’t given up the day job.
23/06/2021

Nominations open for the annual Ruth Rendell Award

To mark National Writing Day on 23 June and celebrate the brilliant and dedicated authors and writers who have helped to raise children and young people’s literacy levels in the UK over the past year, the National Literacy Trust and ALCS have opened nominations for the annual Ruth Rendell Award 2021.
23/06/2021

ALCS submission on copyright protection for AV performances

21/06/2021

IAF announced as part of WIPO creators group

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has launched WIPO for Creators, a partnership that aims to raise international awareness and increase knowledge of creators’ rights.
18/06/2021

A £40 million record year for ALCS

The Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) is delighted to announce that we have collected over £40 million in one year for creators from across the world.
17/06/2021

WINNERS OF 2021 CILIP CARNEGIE AND KATE GREENAWAY MEDALS ANNOUNCED

16/06/2021

Are Authors an Endangered Species?

As part of our work with the International Authors Forum (IAF), Maggie Gee, ALCS Director, spoke about the importance of supporting and protecting authors at a conference hosted by the Academic and Non-Fiction Authors’ Association of South Africa (ANFASA).
14/06/2021

Okechukwu Nzelu announced as new non-executive ALCS board member

11/06/2021

Winners of the 2021 Society of Authors’ Awards announced

10/06/2021

WORLD FIRST SCHEME GIVES AUTHORS ROYALTIES ON USED BOOK SALES

01/06/2021

2021 CWA Dagger Awards Shortlists Announced

The 2021 shortlists for the prestigious CWA Dagger awards, which honour the very best in the crime writing genre, have been announced.
20/05/2021

2021 Society of Authors’ Awards shortlists announced

18/05/2021

FINAL CHANCE TO ENTER PARLIAMENTARY COMPETITION FOR NEW FILMMAKERS

14/05/2021

Supporting authors and writers through the Covid-19 crisis and beyond

11/05/2021

ALCS celebrates World Book and Copyright Day 2021

As part of World Book and Copyright Day on 3 March this year, we took the opportunity to share some of our favourite copyright videos and resources with you, our members, on social media.
05/05/2021

Final call for All Stories mentorship applications

This unique, free opportunity for aspiring children’s writers otherwise unable to afford support closes for applications on 31 May 2021.
03/05/2021

Jonathan Fryer obituary

Jonathan Fryer, who sat on the ALCS Board between 2014-2020, sadly passed away on 16 April 2021 after a short illness. Jonathan was a journalist, author and broadcaster and among his many other accolades, he was a strong advocate for authors’ rights throughout his career.
22/04/2021

March 2021 distribution facts and figures

Last month saw a record ALCS distribution, with more members being paid in a single distribution than ever before. Here are a few headline facts and figures.
21/04/2021

ALCS NEWS MEETS: CHRISTOPHER DOUGLAS

The winner of the 2021 ALCS-sponsored Tinniswood Award for Radio Drama tells us how persistence, tenacity and a slice of luck have helped him sustain a four-decade career writing comedy drama for radio.
19/04/2021

Where are they now?

At ALCS, we’re dedicated to ensuring as many writers as possible are paid for their work. In some cases, we collect money for the works of writers who are not yet members of ALCS and then try our hardest to contact them, so that they can receive the money they are due
19/04/2021

Comedy Women in Print Prize 2021 open for nominations

14/04/2021

ALCS Educational Writers’ Award 2021 open for entries

12/04/2021

MY WRITING LIVING: STACEY HALLS

Award-winning historical novelist Stacey Halls tells us how she has built a successful writing career through a resolutely pragmatic approach to her profession.
29/03/2021

A RECORD ALCS DISTRIBUTION

In the first distribution of 2021, and our third since the pandemic began, we’re proud to announce that we paid over 90,000 members a share of a record £26 million – more members in a single distribution than ever before.
29/03/2021

TINNISWOOD AWARD WINNER 2021

Earlier this month, award-winning comedy writer Ian Martin presented Christopher Douglas with the Tinniswood Award for the best original audio drama script and a cheque for £3,000 at the BBC’s Audio Drama Awards.
29/03/2021

Enter the ALCS CKG competition: #MyCKGShelfie

***THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED***
22/03/2021

CILIP CARNEGIE AND KATE GREENAWAY MEDALS 2021 SHORTLISTS ANNOUNCED

19/03/2021

Authors’ unions launch investigation into contribution publishers

17/03/2021

ALCS response to 2021 Spring Budget

This month’s Spring Budget announcement saw a very welcome, much-needed boost to the Cultural Recovery Fund, but individual freelancers are unfortunately still likely to miss out. The Government also ignored calls by ALCS and other organisations for an increase of the PLR pot and for the removal of VAT on audiobooks.
05/03/2021

Your guide to the March 2021 ALCS distribution

Next month, ALCS will pay 90,000 members a share of around £25 million. Payments should reach UK bank accounts on or around 25 March 2021. Here’s your guide to the first distribution of 2021.
22/02/2021

The ALCS interview: Robin Walker

Last December, Robin Walker won the 2020 ALCS Educational Writers’ Award (EWA) which highlights creative educational writing for children. We spoke to Robin about his award-winning book Black History Matters as well as his writing background and the importance of community.
19/02/2021

Tell us how it’s been for you

We are calling on ALCS members to provide us with personal testimonials of your experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the impact it has had on your ability to make a living as a writer.
15/02/2021

Celebrating the power of translated words: 2020 SoA Translation Prizes awards

11/02/2021

Shortlist for the 2021 Tinniswood Award for best audio drama script announced

09/02/2021

2021: The Year Ahead for ALCS

With the UK having left the EU and Covid-19 recovery plans a priority for 2021, the ALCS leadership team identifies the most significant issues for writers and for copyright over the next 12 months.
20/01/2021

HARD TIMES: THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND

Founded in 1790, the Royal Literary Fund (RLF) has been providing financial assistance to writers in need ever since. Writer and Consultant Fellow Sanjida O’Connell explains why the support of organisations like the RLF is more important than ever.
19/01/2021

The LONDON WRITERS’ AWARDS

Spreading the word about under-represented writers with the backing of ALCS.
18/01/2021

Support for authors: Take Action

We are calling on ALCS members to contact their MPs to press for an increase to the Public Lending Right (PLR) fund as a way to provide improved support to the creative workforce particularly during these difficult times for the sector.
18/01/2021
WDP logo

Writers Digital Payments

Since April 2015, ALCS has been making payments to audiovisual authors on behalf of the Writers Digital Payments (WDP), made up of royalties accrued from the number of clicks their programmes have received on BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub.
15/01/2021

Society of Authors’ grants: applications open

A host of grants from the Society of Authors (SoA) are currently open to applications, including the Authors’ Foundation, K Blundell Trust and the Authors’ Contingency Fund.
13/01/2021

FILM THE HOUSE 2020: STILL TIME TO ENTER!

The deadline for parliamentary film competition, Film the House 2020, has moved to 2 July 2021. If you’re a UK-based student or independent scriptwriter, director or filmmaker, and you haven’t yet had a chance to enter, now is the time.
11/01/2021

MY WRITING LIVING: JOSEPH COELHO

Award-winning children’s poet, Joseph Coelho tells us how his extensive grassroots experience of performing his work in schools and theatres has underpinned his successful career as a published writer.
21/12/2020

GIVE THE GIFT OF A BOOK TO A CHILD IN NEED

Each December in ALCS News, we highlight a Christmas good cause with a special resonance for writers. This year, if you are able, may we suggest a £10 donation to BookTrust’s Christmas Appeal?
18/12/2020

ALCS AGM 2020

As a result of the current pandemic, we hosted the ALCS AGM virtually this year on 26 November 2020.
16/12/2020

And the winners are… ALCS Annual Awards 2020

Earlier this month, Tony Bradman, Chair of ALCS acted as master of ceremonies for ALCS’s Annual Awards ceremony, which this year was streamed live online.
11/12/2020

Karl Nova wins Ruth Rendell Award 2020 for outstanding contribution to literacy

09/12/2020

2020 ALCS Educational Writers’ Award winner announced

09/12/2020

#RSL200: Royal Society of Literature celebrates 200th birthday

02/12/2020

ALCS AGM: 26 November 2020

Don’t forget! The ALCS Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held virtually on 26 November at 11am.
20/11/2020

Update your visual contributions by 31 December 2020

18/11/2020

2020 ALCS Educational Writers’ Award shortlist: CELEBRATING DIVERSITY AND INSPIRING CHANGE

16/11/2020

SCHOOL OF THOUGHT: ALCS & Copyright Education

Even if writing for children and young people isn’t part of your work, we’re always keen to keep members up to speed about what ALCS is doing to promote the principle of copyright to the next generation of readers and writers.
13/11/2020

CWA Dagger Awards 2020 Winners Announced

The winners of the 2020 CWA Daggers, which honour the very best in the crime writing genre, have been announced.
28/10/2020

SoA announces £600k Hardship Fund for authors in Scotland

22/10/2020

Creating a Living: IAF reports on global challenges to authors’ incomes

22/10/2020

SEPTEMBER 2020 DISTRIBUTION: FACTS AND FIGURES

Here’s a breakdown of the vital statistics behind our September 2020 distribution.
21/10/2020

SoA @ Home Festival: November sessions

The SoA @ Home Festival continues until the end of the year. Upcoming sessions include:
19/10/2020

UPDATE YOUR WRITTEN ARTICLE CONTRIBUTIONS BY 30 NOVEMBER

16/10/2020

CLiPPA winner announced live from The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival

13/10/2020

CILIP REVEALS THE WINNERS OF THE 2020 CARNEGIE & KATE GREENAWAY SHADOWERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

12/10/2020

September 2020 Distribution statement guide

On 30 September 2020, almost a third of ALCS members will receive a distribution payment. Here’s a guide to this year’s statements.
23/09/2020

MY WRITING LIVING: JAMES COOK

James Cook tells us how his long career in the music industry inspired a move into writing, and provided the material for his first two books.
22/09/2020

ALCS WRITES TO CHANCELLOR ABOUT UK PLR AND AUDIOBOOK VAT

18/09/2020

THE BLACK WRITERS’ GUILD

More than 300 black published writers have joined the newly formed Black Writer’s Guild (BWG), established to represent the interests of black authors in the UK. We speak to co-founding member Nels Abbey, to find out more.
15/09/2020

Comedy Women in Print Prize winners announced

The winners of the Comedy Women in Print prize were announced earlier this month, which saw some of the funniest women in literature receive awards for their talents.
15/09/2020

Get Organised: National Union of Journalists

In our ongoing campaign to shine a light on the support provided by writers’ organisations, we focus on the sterling work of the National Union of Journalists.
21/08/2020

Your guide to the September distribution

The next ALCS distribution will take place on 30 September with just under a third of members receiving a share of around £11 million. Here’s your guide to this, the second of our two annual distributions.
20/08/2020

Society of Authors’ Awards 2021 open for entries

The 2021 Society of Authors' Awards are now open to entries for its seven awards spanning fiction, poetry, non-fiction and illustrated children's books.
17/08/2020

Get ready for the September 2020 distribution

Our next distribution will see just under a third of ALCS members receive their share of approximately £11 million. Now is the time to make sure your ALCS account is up to date, ready for payment on or around 30 September.
10/08/2020

Step Up to support authors facing financial hardship

10/08/2020

CWA Dagger Awards 2020: Shortlists Announced

The prestigious CWA Dagger awards honour the very best in the crime writing genre.
07/08/2020

Tinniswood Award 2021 open for entries

Radio scriptwriters with works broadcast between 1 October 2019 and 31 October 2020 are invited to send in their entries for the 2021 Tinniswood Award. Nominations for the ALCS-sponsored award are open until 4 October 2020.
07/08/2020

British Copyright Council: UK Copyright Highway Code resources

29/07/2020

DCMS Select Committee releases recommendations on the creative industries

24/07/2020

Arts Council England reopens National Lottery Project Grants Scheme

23/07/2020

ALCS writes letter to Arts Council England about £1.57 billion cultural relief package

20/07/2020

AXE THE READING TAX CAMPAIGN: NOW IT’S THE TURN OF AUDIOBOOKS

09/07/2020

TRAVELLING HOPEFULLY

Travel and nature writer Jini Reddy surveys the freelance work prospects for those in her field, including how, when it comes to writers of colour, the Black Lives Matter protests have led to the start of welcome changes in the market.
08/07/2020

My Writing Living: Professor Katy Shaw

Katy Shaw tells us how she combines her work as an academic with her own writing and her advocacy work in the cause of creative diversity.
25/06/2020

Nominations for the 2020 Ruth Rendell Award open on National Writing Day

24/06/2020

Nine creative membership organisations submit joint evidence to DCMS committee

22/06/2020

KEEPING SANE & SOLVENT: AUDIOVISUAL WRITERS FOR CHILDREN

19/06/2020

SOCIETY OF AUTHORS’ AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The winners of the Society of Authors’ Awards were revealed via video ceremony on 18 June, with each award being showcased throughout the day. ALCS is pleased to sponsor the awards, as well as co-sponsor the ALCS Tom-Gallon Trust Award.
18/06/2020

2020 CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal Winners Announced

18/06/2020

Parliamentary film competition open for entries

Film the House 2020 has now launched. If you’re a UK-based student or independent scriptwriter, director or filmmaker, this parliamentary film competition could be for you.
15/06/2020

Get Organised: Society of Women Writers and Journalists

12/06/2020

Comedy Women in Print Prize shortlist revealed

This year's Comedy Women in Print Prize shortlist has been announced, with Candice Carty-Williams, Jeanette Winterson and Beth O'Leary among the writers in contention.
10/06/2020

KEEPING SANE & SOLVENT: FREELANCE JOURNALISTS

Our third helping of lockdown stories and advice focuses on the experiences of freelance journalists around the country.
05/06/2020

ALCS writes again to Chancellor in support of writers and freelancers

05/06/2020

Teaching the value of copyright

Copyright exists to protect creators and to ensure they can choose exactly how their work may be used. However, we know that teaching people, especially children, about the importance of copyright can be challenging. So, we’ve produced some new, fun resources to help make it more manageable.
01/06/2020

Government Self-employment Income Support Scheme: take action

28/05/2020

Copyright: Know the Essentials

At ALCS, it’s important to us that everyone should know the value of copyright. For creators, it exists to ensure your work is protected from theft or imitation and to give you the power to use your work however you want. Here’s an overview of what copyright is and what it does for you.
22/05/2020

UK’s most borrowed ebooks revealed for the first time by PLR

21/05/2020

The Great Copyright Hunt

Working in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, we’ve launched a free competition that is designed to explain how creative ideas are protected by copyright, and challenges children and families to hunt down the famous copyright symbol © at home.
20/05/2020

Writers’ Guild Awards 2021 cancelled

The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) has taken the difficult decision to cancel its Writers’ Guild Awards as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown.
20/05/2020

Where are they now?

At ALCS, we’re dedicated to ensuring as many writers as possible are paid for their work. This includes collecting money for the works of writers who are not yet members of ALCS and trying our hardest to get in contact, so they can receive the money that is due to them.
18/05/2020

Society of Authors’ Awards 2020 shortlists announced

14/05/2020

UK’s only award for creative non-fiction work is open for entries

12/05/2020

KEEPING SANE & SOLVENT: PART TWO

In our second helping of lockdown stories and advice, we asked five children’s writers to tell us how they are faring.
11/05/2020

Professional development programmes

To help support creators during the current COVID-19 pandemic, a number of organisations are offering professional development programmes including talks, webinars and workshops. We’ve compiled a list of these which we will be updating with any future resources.
07/05/2020

Update from ALCS CEO, Owen Atkinson

Six weeks after the ALCS office closing due to the COVID-19 outbreak, ALCS Chief Executive Owen Atkinson has provided an update for members.
04/05/2020

Ending of VAT on ebooks brought forward

The scrapping of VAT on epublications announced by the Chancellor in this March’s Budget has now been fast-tracked in support of people staying at home due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The 0% VAT rate will apply to all epublications from 1 May 2020.
01/05/2020

UK PLR and library closures

Despite the closure of UK public libraries in accordance with government guidelines on COVID-19 UK Public Lending Right (PLR) figures will still be collected and calculated. Authors, illustrators and translators and any other rightsholders are therefore encouraged to register their titles by 30 June 2020.
30/04/2020

ALCS responds to Government COVID-19 inquiries

ALCS has responded to calls for evidence for inquiries by the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Treasury Committees into the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
29/04/2020

ALCS joins call for a UK Creators Council

ALCS is among nine creative organisations which have signed a letter to the Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Rt Hon Oliver Dowden MP calling for the formation of a UK Creators' Council.
24/04/2020

KEEPING SANE & SOLVENT: SIX AUDIOVISUAL WRITERS SHARE THEIR LOCKDOWN ADVICE

23/04/2020

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORDS

In these challenging times for us all, writer and wellbeing expert Nicola Morgan considers how writers might go about protecting their incomes, their creativity and their mental health.
20/04/2020

CLA licensing temporarily relaxed to support the education sector during closures

14/04/2020

GET ORGANISED: THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND

The Royal Literary Fund (RLF) was among the organisations that recently contributed to the Authors’ Emergency Fund, administered by the Society of Authors, which will make grants to writers who have found themselves financially affected by the current COVID-19 outbreak.
14/04/2020

Teachers and parents: get your kids involved with the ALCS CKG writing competition!

08/04/2020

CILIP ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO 2020 CARNEGIE AND KATE GREENAWAY MEDALS TIMELINE

07/04/2020

Internet Archive’s National Emergency Library could put writers’ incomes at risk

06/04/2020

Learning resources for home schooling

With many parents now tackling the curriculum with their children at home, we’ve collated a few helpful resources based around copyright and literacy that may help.
03/04/2020

Support for writers during the COVID-19 crisis

We know that many writers and others in the creative industries will be struggling financially due to the COVID-19 outbreak. So we have collated a list of funding and other sources of support for any ALCS members who may need it. We’ll update this with new resources as they become available.
03/04/2020

ALCS writes to Chancellor in support of authors and freelancers

27/03/2020

Guidance on sharing books and other content online during the current lockdown

27/03/2020

MARCH 2020 DISTRIBUTION: FACTS AND FIGURES

Here’s a breakdown of the vital statistics behind our first distribution of 2020.
27/03/2020

MY WRITING LIVING: IAN MARTIN

The winner of the 2020 Tinniswood Award for Audio Drama tells us how he got his big break after years of grafting away in a cellar writing sweary jokes, and why winning a Tinniswood tops taking home an Emmy or a BAFTA.
26/03/2020

ALCS offers additional financial support to writers through the Society of Authors’ Emergency Fund

24/03/2020

UK PLR: COVID-19 update

As a result of the current COVID-19 outbreak, UK PLR has issued the following update
23/03/2020

SHORTLISTS FOR 2020 CILIP CARNEGIE AND KATE GREENAWAY MEDALS ANNOUNCED

20/03/2020

AXE THE READING TAX: CAMPAIGN UPDATE

The recent 2020 Budget revealed that VAT on digital publications has been scrapped. We are thrilled to have been part of the successful Axe the Reading Tax campaign and want to thank all ALCS members who signed the petition and helped make this happen.
11/03/2020

Parliament rewards bright young British film talent

06/03/2020

Your Guide to the March 2020 ALCS Distribution

Next month, ALCS will pay out £24.5 million to over 85,000 members. Payments should reach members’ bank accounts on or around 25 March. Read on for our guide to the first ALCS Distribution of 2020.
25/02/2020

Society of Authors regional meetings: February/March 2020

25/02/2020

Longlists for 2020 CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals announced

24/02/2020

Axe the Reading Tax: the next step

With the next Budget due to be announced on 11 March 2020, now is the time to play your part in our Axe the Reading Tax campaign.
21/02/2020

UK International Radio Drama Festival: Take Part!

The 6th UK International Radio Drama Festival will take place from 23–27 March 2020 in Canterbury, Kent. ALCS is pleased to sponsor an event that helps celebrate the work of radio drama writers.
19/02/2020

Society of Authors’ Translation Prizes award £20,000 worth of prizes

14/02/2020

Calling all screenwriters!

Want the opportunity to connect with other creators in the film industry? ALCS, Directors UK and Film London are putting on Creative Partnerships Day; a free one-day event to help celebrate and cultivate creative partnerships between screenwriters, directors and producers.
11/02/2020

Comedy writer Ian Martin scoops top award for audio drama writing

07/02/2020

Film the House shortlist of bright new UK creators announced

05/02/2020

ALCS DEMANDS MEETING WITH MINISTER OVER REFUSAL TO IMPLEMENT COPYRIGHT DIRECTIVE

28/01/2020

2020: The Year Ahead at ALCS

With fresh lobbying challenges in prospect for 2020, the ALCS leadership team has identified the most significant issues for writers and for copyright over the next 12 months.
27/01/2020

Get organised: The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain

24/01/2020

Axe the Reading tax campaign: we need your help

In October 2019, a group of representatives from the Axe the Reading Tax campaign delivered a letter calling for the Chancellor to axe the levying of VAT on ebooks, in line with the 0% tax on printed books. ALCS is a strong supporter of this campaign and we’re urging our members to get involved with the next step.
20/01/2020

Winners revealed at annual gala event celebrating best of British writing

14/01/2020

ALASTAIR HUMPHREYS: Great Adventurer and Worthy Winner

13/01/2020

TINNISWOOD AWARD SHORTLIST FOR BEST AUDIO DRAMA SCRIPT OF THE YEAR REVEALED

10/01/2020

OUR CHRISTMAS CAUSE: ENGLISH PEN

Each December in ALCS News, we highlight a Christmas good cause with particular resonance for writers. This year, may we suggest supporting the vital work of English PEN?
18/12/2019

ALCS in 2019: A Review of the Year

This year, we’ve made it our mission to reach as many members as possible. We’ve travelled the width and breadth of the country for focus groups, drinks receptions and our AGM. What's more, we’ve also had a record Distribution year, paying out more money, to more members than ever before!
16/12/2019

AWARDS NIGHT AT ALCS!

There was a festive atmosphere at ALCS HQ by the Thames in central London earlier this month when ALCS played host to the announcement and presentation of two prestigious awards it sponsors each year.
06/12/2019

Tom Palmer wins 2019 Ruth Rendell Award for outstanding contribution to literacy

04/12/2019

WRITERS’ GUILD OF GREAT BRITAIN AWARDS 2020: SHORTLISTS ANNOUNCED

04/12/2019

Alastair Humphreys’ GREAT ADVENTURERS wins the UK’s sole award for creative educational writing

04/12/2019

ALCS Panel Discussion: How can you make money from your writing?

02/12/2019

ALCS AGM 2019

The 41st ALCS AGM was held at the Vermont Hotel in Newcastle upon Tyne last month.
02/12/2019

My Writing Living: Priya Basil

Over 30,000 ALCS members live and write outside the UK. This month we talk to one of them: acclaimed novelist and essayist, Priya Basil. Born in London, Priya has lived in Germany since 2002.
27/11/2019

35 translations from nine languages: the seven shortlists for the 2019 Society of Authors’ Translation Prizes

20/11/2019

STROUD BOOK FESTIVAL: Promoting Educational Copyright in the Cotswolds

18/11/2019

Get Organised: The Society of Authors

Continuing our campaign to highlight the support provided by writers’ organisations, this month we’re profiling the Society of Authors (SoA), the UK trade union for writers.
18/11/2019

2019 ALCS Educational Writers’ Award: Shortlist announced for the UK’s only award for creative educational writing

15/11/2019

Axe the Reading Tax campaign: an update

On 31 October 2019, representatives from the Axe the Reading Tax campaign including Konnie Huq, children’s presenter and author; Stephen Lotinga, Chief Executive of the Publishers Association; and Jonathan Douglas, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, delivered a letter calling for the Chancellor to axe the levying of VAT on ebooks, in line with the 0% tax on printed books.
11/11/2019

2019 CWA Daggers Announced

The Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Daggers, announced in London last month, are regarded by the publishing world as the leading British awards for crime writing.
04/11/2019

ALCS AGM 2019 and Panel Discussion

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on 28 November 2019 at The Vermont Hotel, Castle Garth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 1RQ.
23/10/2019

It’s your ALCS, so make your vote count!

On 28 October, voting will open for the 2019 ALCS Board election. We ask all our members to vote to make sure the ALCS Board is as representative of our membership as possible. Last year saw a very low response to the Board election and we need your help to increase the number of votes this time. Current Chair of the Board, Tony Bradman explains why your vote is vital.
21/10/2019

Autumn Distribution 2019: vital statistics

Here’s a breakdown of the main facts and figures from our latest distribution.
18/10/2019

Looking after the pennies: 40 years of UK PLR

Celebrating 40 years of the UK Public Lending Right scheme was at the heart of the 13th PLR International conference, held at the British Library last month. For authors nationwide, and increasingly across the world, PLR is an essential component in their writing lives, providing them with both some well-earned income and the feeling of recognition that comes from knowing their books are being borrowed from libraries.
09/10/2019

‘Second-hand’ ebook sales contravene EU Law

Richard Combes, Head of Rights and Licensing, tells us more about the current EU debates around the protection of ebook rights.
19/09/2019

My Writing Living: Paul Powell

Despite falling commissioning budgets and having to wage an almost constant battle against online piracy, comedy writer Paul Powell tells us why he believes he has the best job in the world.
19/09/2019

Your Guide to the Next ALCS Distribution

Our next distribution will see ALCS pay out around £12 million to over 30,000 members. Payments are expected a little later this year, reaching members on or around 3 October.
16/09/2019

2019 ALCS Board election: Key Dates

Preparations for the 2019 ALCS Board election are well under way. With voting due to open on 28 October, here are the key dates you need to make a note of. We urge you to use your vote!
13/09/2019

Film the House 2019: open for entries!

The parliamentary-based film competition, Film the House, has now been launched for 2019. We’re delighted to be co-sponsoring this excellent competition once again and encourage all student and independent scriptwriters and filmmakers to get involved.
11/09/2019

Meeting our members: Edinburgh

In keeping with our pledge to meet ALCS members around the country, we had the pleasure of meeting some of our Scottish members in Edinburgh last month.
02/09/2019

Get organised: The Royal Society of Literature

Over the coming months, we’ll be highlighting the sterling work of writers’ organisations around the UK, as well as the benefits of becoming a member. This month, we profile the Royal Society of Literature (RSL), the UK’s charity for the advancement of literature.
16/08/2019

Calling all radio writers: nominations now open for Tinniswood Award 2020

12/08/2019

PLR’s Most Borrowed Library Books 2017-18

In its 40th anniversary year, Public Lending Right’s top ten most borrowed authors list features no less than seven children’s writers, showing that libraries are still an integral part of children’s connection to reading.
09/08/2019

Shortlist announced for the 2019 CWA ALCS Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction

05/08/2019

Educational and teacher authors! Why not lend your voice to the CLA Licence to Copy campaign?

23/07/2019

Money, Time, Confidence: What Writers Need to Thrive

22/07/2019

Getting to know you

One of ALCS’ key objectives is to keep the views of you, our members, at the heart of our decision-making. To help us do this, we try to travel around the country to meet you as often as we’re able.
19/07/2019

Quoting someone else’s work in your next book or article?

17/07/2019

ALCS and the National Literacy Trust team up for a host of creative-writing projects for all ages

15/07/2019

Deborah Rogers Foundation announces 2020 DRF Writers Award

12/07/2019

CLiPPA 2019: The power of poetry

School children, poets and industry gathered at the National Theatre for a celebration of the power of poetry and the announcement of the 2019 CLiPPA winning poet.
08/07/2019

And the winner is…

We’re delighted to announce the winner and runners-up in our annual writing competition, run in partnership with the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway (CKG) Shadowing Scheme.
18/06/2019

Verse books triumph at ALCS-sponsored children’s book awards

18/06/2019

Chosen by Authors for Authors: winners of 2019 Society of Authors’ Awards revealed

18/06/2019

Supporting the Writers of Tomorrow

Writers, MPs and Lords attended the House of Commons launch of a report by the All Party Parliamentary Writers Group (APWG) which calls for immediate action to reverse a steep decline in writers’ incomes.
14/06/2019

The All Party Parliamentary Writers Group: what it does for you

13/06/2019

Are you our next ALCS Board member?

This year two positions are available on the ALCS Board of Directors and we would be delighted to hear from ALCS members who are interested in standing.
12/06/2019

Celebrating 40 years of PLR

2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the Public Lending Right (PLR) scheme. Maureen Duffy, author, campaigner and Honorary President of ALCS recalls how PLR came into being and celebrates its continued importance for writers, four decades on.
10/06/2019

On writing short: An interview with Chris Connolly, 2018 ALCS Tom-Gallon Award winner

07/06/2019

V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize open for entries

The ALCS-sponsored prize is open for entries from writers of unpublished short stories.
05/06/2019

Your ALCS: what your Board does for you

In 2018, a mere 1.6% of ALCS members voted in the ALCS Board election. With this year’s election on the horizon, we’re aiming to encourage more of you to vote by giving you insights into the work of the Board. This month we speak to Non-Executive Directors, Faye Bird and Michael Ridpath.
22/05/2019

My Writing Living: Holly Brockwell

Award-winning technology writer Holly Brockwell tells us how being a ‘giant nerd’ has helped her find her writing niche and earn a sustainable living in a fast-moving industry.
20/05/2019

Society of Authors’ Awards shortlists celebrate authors of all ages

16/05/2019

Five poets feature on diverse CLiPPA shortlist

The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) has announced the 2019 shortlist for its CLiPPA, its ALCS-sponsored poetry award which celebrates and promotes the best in children’s poetry.
07/05/2019

Authors’ Earnings Research: Full report published

02/05/2019

Meet ALCS’ Author Researchers

ALCS' Author Researchers are integral to the ALCS membership process. Alice Donovan speaks to two members of the team to find out more about their roles, as well as some of the obstacles they come up against in their work.
23/04/2019

A Room of Your Own? Your chance to contribute to new research about what you need to flourish professionally as a writer

23/04/2019

UK INTERNATIONAL RADIO DRAMA FESTIVAL JURY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

18/04/2019

Parliament celebrates Britain’s best breakthrough film talent

17/04/2019

ALCS Educational Writers’ Award open for entries

This year’s ALCS Educational Writers' Award (EWA) is open for entries and we’re looking for an outstanding example of traditionally published non-fiction that stimulates and enhances learning.
15/04/2019

Save money with your membership

As a Member of ALCS, you’re entitled to certain discounts to help make your life as a writer easier.
13/04/2019

An ALCS members’ guide to the EU Copyright Directive

11/04/2019

European Parliament Votes to Adopt New Copyright Rules

27/03/2019

MARCH DISTRIBUTION 2019: FACTS AND FIGURES

Here’s a breakdown of the statistics behind our biggest distribution yet!
25/03/2019

Money, Money, Money!

Alice Donovan and Esther Jones report from the London Book Fair, held at Olympia in Kensington earlier this month.
25/03/2019

Attention aspiring young writers!

We’re delighted to announce the launch of the 2019 ALCS Carnegie and Kate Greenaway (CKG) writing competition, in conjunction with the CKG Awards shadowing scheme.
19/03/2019

Women writers & illustrators to the fore on 2019 CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway shortlists

19/03/2019

Tune in and take part in the UK International Radio Drama Festival

15/03/2019

Your Guide to the March 2019 ALCS Distribution

Next month, ALCS will pay out £23.5 million to over 80,000 Members with payments set to reach bank accounts on or around 20/21 March. Read on for our guide to the first ALCS Distribution of 2019.
21/02/2019

MY WRITING LIVING: OLIVER EMANUEL

The winner of the ALCS-sponsored Tinniswood Award tells us how an early stab at love poetry sowed the seed for a successful career writing acclaimed plays for stage and radio.
18/02/2019

First graphic novel winner at the Society of Authors Translation Awards

14/02/2019

ALCS Board election process: Have your say

In the 2018 ALCS Board Director elections, just 1.6% of ALCS Members voted. Take part in our ALCS Board election feedback survey to help us help you get the most out of your membership.
12/02/2019

ALCS urges Members to sign Society of Authors’ open letter to Internet Archive’s Open Library

07/02/2019

Oliver Emanuel wins 2019 Tinniswood Award

This year’s ALCS-sponsored Tinniswood Award winner was announced at the BBC Audio Drama Awards by Sarah Woods; audio-dramatist, playwright and screenwriter who won the 2018 Award.
05/02/2019

Parliament celebrates emerging British filmmaking talent

01/02/2019

Meet your new ALCS Board Members

This year we welcome one re-elected and two new Directors to the ALCS Board. Find out more about them here.
16/01/2019

FEMALE WINNERS AT THE FOREFRONT OF ALCS-SPONSORED WRITERS’ GUILD OF GREAT BRITAIN AWARDS

15/01/2019

2019: The Year Ahead for ALCS

With lobbying in the UK and internationally at the forefront for 2019, the ALCS leadership team identifies this year’s big issues for writers and for copyright.
14/01/2019

THE ALCS INTERVIEW: TONY THOMPSON, OUR 100,000th MEMBER!

09/01/2019

2019 TINNISWOOD AWARD SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

The 2019 shortlist has been announced for the ALCS-sponsored Tinniswood Award, which was set up by the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain and the Society of Authors in memory of scriptwriter Peter Tinniswood and celebrates the best original scripts for audio drama.
08/01/2019

ALCS reaches 100,000 Member milestone

We are delighted to announce that by the end of 2018, the ALCS Membership had passed the 100,000 mark.
07/01/2019

ALCS in 2018: A Review of the Year

This year we released the key findings from our latest research into author earnings, paid out a record amount to authors, welcomed our 100,000th Member, and relocated to London Bridge. Here’s a round-up of another busy year for ALCS.
18/12/2018

LISTENING BOOKS: LEND YOUR EARS TO THIS WORTHY CAUSE

17/12/2018

THE ALCS INTERVIEW: Cath Senker

We talk to the author of Far From Home, worthy winner of this year’s Educational Writers’ Award.
17/12/2018

CELEBRATION AT THE COMMONS

As the Brexit draft agreement voting took place in House of Commons earlier this month, writers, Lords and MPs attended the All Party Parliamentary Writers Group (APWG) winter reception.
11/12/2018

HOW CAN WRITERS MONETISE THEIR CONTENT IN THE DIGITAL AGE? AN ALCS PANEL DISCUSSION

10/12/2018

ALCS AGM 2018

Last month, the 40th AGM of ALCS was held at The Royal Society in London.
07/12/2018

WRITERS’ GUILD OF GREAT BRITAIN AWARDS 2019: SHORTLISTS ANNOUNCED

05/12/2018

Cath Senker wins 2018 Educational Writers’ Award

"Powerful and very special" book about refugees and migrants wins UK's sole award for creative educational writing
05/12/2018

2018 Educational Writers’ Award: CANVASES, CODES, CLEAN WATER & EMPATHY FOR THE LIVES OF OTHERS

27/11/2018

STROUD BOOK FESTIVAL: Flying the Flag for Educational Copyright

21/11/2018

Keeping Britain on screen

On 14 November, industry representatives from ALCS, Directors UK, the Society of Authors and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain met with MPs and Lords at a drop-in event in Parliament to discuss areas of interest for audiovisual writers post-Brexit.
21/11/2018

My Writing Living: Nikesh Shukla

The acclaimed novelist, screenwriter and champion of marginalised voices tells us how his activism, mentoring work, and unstinting efforts to bring about greater diversity in publishing have inspired and informed a writing living of his own.
20/11/2018

APWG authors’ earnings inquiry: an update

The All Party Parliamentary Writers Group (APWG), administered by ALCS, took oral evidence on 30 October at its inquiry into authors’ earnings.
15/11/2018

exetreme imagination Festival

Exeter celebrates writing for children, by children.
13/11/2018

The Asian Writer Festival

More than a hundred writers gathered at The Asian Writer Festival in October to mark the ten-year anniversary of the online magazine The Asian Writer.
12/11/2018

CLAIM NOW FOR YOUR VISUAL CONTRIBUTIONS

You can now submit claims for visual contributions in UK books, magazines and journals through your online account.
09/11/2018

V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize winner announced

Emily Ruth Ford wins ALCS-sponsored award for the second year running.
05/11/2018

2018 CWA DAGGER WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) reveals the winners of its annual Dagger Awards, part-sponsored by ALCS.
01/11/2018

ALCS AGM and Board election 2018

On 22 November 2018, we will be holding our Annual General Meeting at the Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG.
16/10/2018

THE ALCS INTERVIEW: MICHAEL ELLIS MP

To celebrate Libraries Week from 8-13 October, we asked the Libraries Minister and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Arts, Heritage and Tourism for his views on the present and future of public libraries in the UK.
11/10/2018

Authors’ earnings: Farhana Shaikh from The Asian Writer gives her view

10/10/2018

SEPTEMBER 2018 DISTRIBUTION: VITAL STATISTICS

Read on for a breakdown of all the facts and figures from last month's ALCS distribution to Members.
09/10/2018

CILIP CARNEGIE AND KATE GREENAWAY AWARDS DIVERSITY REVIEW PUBLISHED

08/10/2018

REGISTER YOUR EBOOKS FOR PLR

Remote ebook and e-audio books may now be registered for PLR. Recent technical amendments to the UK Public Lending Right (PLR) Scheme have been approved and laid before Parliament with the result that from 1 July 2018 data for loans of remote ebooks and e-audio books from public libraries is being collected alongside book and audio book loans.
05/10/2018

How much is your writing worth? A Byte the Book panel discussion

02/10/2018

The ALCS Interview: Jill Johnson

Debut novelist Jill Johnson is the latest writer to release her book through publisher OWN IT! She talks to Jade Zienkiewicz on how writing her novel helped her to reconnect with her culture, what finding an agent did for her, and why, when the deal is fair, writers can love their publishers.
01/10/2018

We’re moving!

This November, ALCS is preparing for an exciting move to London Bridge along with the Copyright Licensing Agency, the Publishers’ Licensing Services and the Educational Recording Agency.
19/09/2018

European Parliament Votes for New Copyright Directive

19/09/2018

SEPTEMBER 2018 DISTRIBUTION: HOW TO VIEW YOUR STATEMENT

18/09/2018

National Literacy Trust celebrates 25th anniversary with Story Explorers

17/09/2018

SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND

Publishers' Licensing Services has introduced PLSclear, a free service for authors and editors seeking permission to reuse content.
11/09/2018

Film the House 2018: Enter before the 30 September deadline!

07/09/2018

Writers’ Guild launches new Musical Theatre Bookwriting Award

06/09/2018

THE ALCS INTERVIEW: GERALDINE McCAUGHREAN

Children’s writer Geraldine McCaughrean recently won her second CILIP Carnegie Medal for Where the World Ends. Set in the St Kilda archipelago off north-west Scotland in the early 18th century and based on a true story, the novel follows a group of boys, marooned on the remote sea stack where they have sailed to hunt the seabirds that sustain their community.
04/09/2018

SEPTEMBER 2018 DISTRIBUTION

ALCS will pay out around £10.3 million gross to 24,000 members, with payments reaching members’ bank accounts on or around 26 September.
22/08/2018

ALCS AND THE EU DIRECTIVE ON THE DIGITAL SINGLE MARKET: AN UPDATE

20/08/2018

UK LIBRARIES’ MOST BORROWED BOOKS 2016-17

Every year the Public Lending Right (PLR) releases data which shows which books and authors have been most popular with library borrowers throughout the year.
15/08/2018

Nominations are now open for the 2019 Tinniswood Award!

13/08/2018

The Time Before The Time To Come By Jill Johnson – BOOK LAUNCH

09/08/2018

Fair Dues?

Author earnings fall while Publishers Association announces record book publishing revenues.
09/08/2018

TV, BUT NOT FOR FREE

As the Edinburgh Television Festival gets underway, author, television writer and independent producer, Jeff Norton calls for an end to the widespread practice of asking writers for the small screen to work without payment.
07/08/2018

Mal Peet Writing Competition

This ALCS-sponsored writing competition is in honour of children’s author, Mal Peet, who lived in Devon and was the curator of the Exetreme Imagination Festival 2014.
02/08/2018

2018 DAGGERS SHORTLISTS ANNOUNCED

The Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) has announced the shortlists for its annual Dagger Awards.
27/07/2018

SOCIETY OF AUTHORS’ AWARDS 2018

At the 2018 Society of Authors' Awards, 31 winners were announced at a ceremony at RIBA, sponsored by ALCS.
25/07/2018

MY WRITING LIVING: ANNE ROONEY

Anne Rooney explains what it takes to maintain a decent income level, in the face of falling fees and advances, and ever tighter publication schedules.
24/07/2018

WORDS WORTH LESS THAN EVER: WHAT NEXT?

Last month, ALCS announced the headline findings from its latest independent survey into the earnings of authors, and they made somewhat depressing reading. Action is now underway to try and reverse this trend. Read on to find out how you can help.
13/07/2018

Are you an author and a teacher?

The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) needs your help to support its Schools Copyright Awareness Campaign.
09/07/2018

CHILDREN’S MEDIA FOUNDATION LAUNCH 2018 YEARBOOK

Edited by Terri Langan and published with the support of ALCS, the Children's Media Yearbook is the only one of its kind in the world and aims to be an annual snapshot of the prevalent issues in and around children’s media.
07/07/2018

European Parliament delays the adoption of proposed Copyright Directive

05/07/2018

Findings and festivities at the APWG summer reception

04/07/2018

Society of Authors Event: Murder, mystery and adventure writing event

03/07/2018

ALCS and Society of Authors write joint open letter to Publishers Association on author earnings

02/07/2018

CLiPPA 2018: winner announced

A celebration of children’s poetry, the ALCS-sponsored CLiPPA 2018 (Centre for Literacy in Primary Poetry Award) was an afternoon of wonderfully enthusiastic performances from schools across the UK, and the announcement of the CLiPPA 2018 winner.
29/06/2018

The story behind the ALCS author earnings survey numbers

28/06/2018

WORDS WORTH LESS THAN EVER

New ALCS research finds working writers’ earnings continue to decline sharply and exposes growing gender gap.
27/06/2018

Don’t miss out on your UK PLR payments: Take action before the 30 June 2018 deadline!

20/06/2018

CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals 2018 awards

20/06/2018

What are you doing for National Writing Day 2018?

The second annual celebration of writing is designed to inspire people across the UK to write. We’ll be celebrating this important day at the All Party Parliamentary Writers’ Group (APWG) summer reception at the House of Commons on 27 June.
19/06/2018

ALCS CKG 2018 writing competition: winners announced

18/06/2018

ALCS Board of Directors: Election Process 2018

This year there will be three positions available on the ALCS Board of Directors.
15/06/2018

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Writers launches an inquiry on authors’ earnings

14/06/2018

SOCIETY OF AUTHORS 2018 AUTHORS’ AWARDS SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

14/06/2018

FILM THE HOUSE: CALLING ALL FILMMAKERS TO ENTER PARLIAMENTARY COMPETITION

13/06/2018

Proposed EU Directive set to shake up re-use remuneration and could have ‘significant consequences’ for ALCS members

12/06/2018

SHOCKING FIGURES EXPOSE EXTENT OF INEQUALITY FOR FEMALE SCREENWRITERS IN UK FILM & TV IN NEW REPORT

23/05/2018

ALCS administers the latest Writers Digital Payments payout to BBC scriptwriters

17/05/2018

MY WRITING LIVING: PETE MAY

Pete May has successfully sustained a writing career for over 30 years, by cleverly mining his own passions and preoccupations. But the money ain't what it used to be, he tells Caroline Sanderson.
16/05/2018

The NEROPA method: Diversifying the face of film and television and how writers can help make it happen

09/05/2018

CLA’s application for extended collective licensing: update

30/04/2018

National Insurance Contributions could become an unaffordable luxury for low-earning authors

26/04/2018

CLPE Children’s Poetry Award (CLiPPA) 2018

Announcement of shortlist for the CLPE Children’s Poetry Award (CLiPPA), launch of Schools Shadowing Scheme and the 16th annual CLiPPA to be held in association with ALCS
26/04/2018

ALCS at the London Book Fair 2018

This year's London Book Fair welcomed book industry visitors from all over the world. Among the key themes were literature and publishing in the Baltic Countries (this year’s LBF Market Focus); copyright in the digital age; and inclusivity in publishing and bookselling.
19/04/2018

March 2018 distribution: Vital statistics

Did you get paid in our latest distribution? Do you wonder where the money comes from? As usual, we bring you a breakdown of the facts and figures on the type of work for which we paid out.
18/04/2018

ALCS to sponsor Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger award

13/04/2018

International Drama Festival 2018: Announcing the winners

11/04/2018

CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Awards Diversity Review

29/03/2018

THE MARCH 2018 ALCS DISTRIBUTION

If you’ve received a payment, here is how you will get your statement (and other frequently asked questions).
21/03/2018

Learn and Win! Competitions, creativity and copyright

16/03/2018

THE WORLD COMES TO HERNE BAY: The Fourth International Radio Drama Festival

13/03/2018

Copyright: Do you know the basics?

Baffled by copyright? Want to know where you can find more information about your rights as a writer? We've pulled together the resources on our website to help you navigate everything to do with copyright and the writing life.
12/03/2018

Bela Shayevich’s ‘wonderfully rich’ translation of Second-Hand Time wins inaugural TA First Translation Prize

02/03/2018

My writing living: Sarah Woods, Tinniswood Award Winner 2018

22/02/2018

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): Important information for ALCS members on this new legislation

21/02/2018

The ALCS Distribution: March 2018

Next month, ALCS will pay out around £22.6 million to 80,000 members. Payments should reach members’ bank accounts by 21 March. Read on for our guide to this first ALCS Distribution of 2018.
21/02/2018

New petition calls for fair remuneration for screenwriters and directors

19/02/2018

Filmmakers celebrated in Parliament’s answer to the Oscars!

12/02/2018

MIGRATION AND MODERN GENDER POLITICS

2018 Imison and Tinniswood Award Winners Announced
02/02/2018

WRITERS’ GUILD AWARDS 2018: WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The winning writers were revealed at a ceremony sponsored by ALCS, where playwright Caryl Churchill was also honoured for Outstanding Contribution to Writing.
16/01/2018

Joyce Marlow: an obituary

Joyce Marlow, who died last November aged 87, was a founder member of ALCS, a prominent member of the Writers’ Action Group for PLR and a member of the working party of publishers and authors which led to the creation of the Copyright Licensing Agency.
16/01/2018

WHAT ARE WORDS WORTH IN 2018? HELP US TO HELP YOU

Next week, ALCS launches another major survey into the earnings of authors in all genres, the third such piece of research in the past decade. We urge all ALCS members to please complete the survey when it is distributed next week.
16/01/2018

MEET YOUR NEW ALCS BOARD MEMBER: FAYE BIRD

Introducing the Young Adult (YA) novelist, and former film and TV agent who was recently co-opted to the ALCS Board.
15/01/2018

2018: The Year Ahead at ALCS

From continuing to safeguard writers' incomes, to lobbying at home, in the EU and at international level, the ALCS leadership team identifies this year's big issues both for writers and for copyright.
15/01/2018

TINNISWOOD & IMISON AWARD 2018 SHORTLISTS ANNOUNCED

04/01/2018
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ALCS in 2017: looking back on our 40th year

This year we celebrated our 40th anniversary, launched a new website and a new claims scheme. Here's our round-up of the year as it comes to a close.
20/12/2017

HAVE YOU MADE A VISUAL CONTRIBUTION TO A BOOK, MAGAZINE OR JOURNAL?

19/12/2017

GIVE THE GIFT OF A BOOK TO A CHILD IN CARE

Each December in ALCS News, we highlight a Christmas good cause with a special resonance for writers. This year, may we suggest a £10 donation to BookTrust’s Letterbox Club Christmas Appeal?
12/12/2017

Update: Extended Collective Licensing (ECL)

Earlier this year we consulted members regarding a proposal by The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) to apply to the Government to operate an Extended Collective Licence (ECL).
11/12/2017

Authors’ Earnings Survey

Just a reminder that in January, in conjunction with the CREATe research centre at the University of Glasgow, ALCS will be running another survey of authors’ earnings.
11/12/2017

WRITING IN THE DIGITAL AGE: AN ALCS DEBATE

This year’s ALCS AGM in Manchester was preceded by a panel discussion, held in association with Byte the Book to examine “New Ways Writers Are Monetising Their Work”.
08/12/2017

ALCS AGM 2017: OUR REPORT FROM MANCHESTER

Last month as its 40th anniversary year drew to a close, the 39th AGM of ALCS was held at The Midland Hotel in Manchester.
08/12/2017

WRITERS’ GUILD OF GREAT BRITAIN AWARDS 2018: SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

06/12/2017

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ABUZZ: OUR WORTHY WESTMINSTER WINNERS

06/12/2017

CONVERSING WITH PIRATES

Whilst the threat of piracy has never gone away, some notable cases have hit the headlines in recent weeks. Caroline Sanderson investigates, and finds out what other writers can do to stave off the pirates.
22/11/2017

Help us to help you: Two new ALCS surveys, including new “What are words worth?” research

21/11/2017

2017 Educational Writers’ Award: CODES & INVENTIONS & ALL CREATURES GREAT & SMALL

14/11/2017

Meet an ALCS member: Linda Marshall Griffiths

In the latest in our anniversary series celebrating our members, we hear from playwright and radio writer Linda Marshall Griffiths, winner of Best Single Drama at the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2017.
10/11/2017

ALCS Distribution September 2017: some statistics

In September 2017, ALCS paid out £9.8 million to more than 24,000 members.
25/10/2017

LOCALLY SOURCED

Caroline Sanderson, writer, event chair and ALCS News editor, reports on what literature festivals have to offer authors who live locally to them.
25/10/2017

Library Lovers Unite: Libraries Week 2017

Read our report on the UK’s very first Libraries Week celebration, and the work being done to protect libraries and highlight the role they play in our communities.
23/10/2017

WRITING THE FUTURE

At an event hosted by King's College London, International Authors Forum (IAF) and ALCS celebrate the power of writers to effect change around the globe.
23/10/2017

New ways writers are monetising their work – a panel discussion for members on 23 November

18/10/2017

Meet an ALCS member: Rob Davidson

Throughout 2017, in celebration of our 40th anniversary, we've been saluting a different ALCS member each month. This month we profile business travel writer Rob Davidson.
17/10/2017

Poetry cornered

Ahead of National Poetry Day on 28 September, poet, writer, journalist and teacher, Bridget Minamore, explains how she makes a living as a poet… some of the time.
19/09/2017

UK Public Lending Right update: new website and registering your ebooks

19/09/2017

The September 2017 distribution: are you due a payment?

15/09/2017

Meet an ALCS member: Catherine Johnson

In this month's member feature, we hear from Catherine Johnson, writer of YA fiction, as well as film and TV.
08/09/2017

PRIZING THE MULTICULTURAL

Award-winning children’s writer Jamila Gavin reflects on CILIP’s efforts to address the widespread criticism of this year’s all-white Carnegie Medal longlist.
22/08/2017

Meet an ALCS member: Georgia Lester

In the latest of our 40th anniversary profiles of ALCS members, we meet 28-year-old screenwriter Georgia Lester, whose credits include Skins, Hollyoaks and Youngers.
22/08/2017
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ALCS at 40: OUR MEMBERSHIP

In its 40th year, in terms of both geography and genre, ALCS has the broadest membership of any UK writers’ organisation. Read on to find out more about who – and where – you are!
22/08/2017

Website launch: resetting your password and other popular queries

22/08/2017

September 2017 Distribution

ALCS will pay out around £9.5 million to 25,000 members in September. Payments should reach members' bank accounts by 27 September.
22/08/2017

MEMBER ALERT: recent changes to our processes

We've changed the way that we ask members to update their ALCS accounts – members need to be aware of this.
22/08/2017

Your new-look online account

Some of the changes to your online account
27/07/2017

Extended Collective Licensing – register your vote

26/07/2017

Get Your Copy Right: National Literacy Trust and ALCS team up for new copyright education programme

26/07/2017

Scriptwriters! Call for Entries – Imison and Tinniswood Awards

26/07/2017

PLR releases new figures on the UK’s most borrowed illustrators!

26/07/2017

The Children’s Media Foundation launches 2017 Yearbook

26/07/2017

Meet an ALCS member: Karen Anderson

We hear from educational writer, Karen Anderson, who is also dipping her toe in writing for other genres.
26/07/2017
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The ALCS Interview: Conor Kostick

Writer, historian and Disputes Officer of the Irish Writers Union, Conor Kostick, tells us about the campaigning work that is underway to protect Irish writers in the wake of considerable copyright setbacks in Ireland. And why writers in the UK should take heed too.
26/07/2017

Meet a member: Dr Bashir Qureshi

This month we hear from an ALCS member who is a GP, lecturer and expert witness as well as an author.
21/06/2017
new board members, michael ridpath and tom chatfield

Introducing your new ALCS board members

We are pleased to introduce writers Michael Ridpath and Tom Chatfield, both of whom have joined the ALCS Board.
21/06/2017
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Celebrate National Writing Day!

National Writing Day, brought to you by First Story, celebrates the power and pleasure of creative writing and its impact on our everyday lives.
21/06/2017
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Film the House: calling all student and indie filmmakers!

24/05/2017

Meet an ALCS member: Bernard Kops

In the latest of our 40th anniversary profiles of ALCS members, we meet playwright and poet Bernard Kops, an ALCS member from the very beginning, and still working hard in his tenth decade
24/05/2017

The ALCS Interview: Janet Anderson

Last month, Public Lending Right (PLR) was extended to remote e-lending after a long campaign by ALCS and The Society of Authors (SoA). We talk to Janet Anderson, key political adviser to ALCS and the All Party Parliamentary Writers Group (APWG) during the process.
24/05/2017
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ALCS at 40: Four dedicated decades of campaigning for writers

24/05/2017
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Meet an ALCS member: Tina Chantrey

Each month, in celebration of our 40th anniversary, we'll be profiling a different ALCS member. This month we meet Tina Chantrey: magazine journalist, author, and blogger about running.
26/04/2017
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ALCS at 40: Small beginnings, big ambitions

Forty years ago this month, a small group of campaigning writers founded an organisation which now pays out around £30 million a year to its writer members for secondary uses of their works.
26/04/2017

Andy McNab opens Ruth Rendell Award nominations for next UK literacy champion

26/04/2017

Creative crowdfunding

We report on ‘The Wisdom of Funders – How to Crowdfund your Creative Projects’, a Byte the Book panel event sponsored by ALCS. From publisher start-ups to good causes, a range of small business founders shared their knowledge.
23/03/2017
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Meet an ALCS member: Susie Maguire

Each month, in celebration of our 40th anniversary, we'll be saluting a different ALCS member. This month we profile short story writer Susie Maguire.
23/03/2017

Reading for life: 10 years of the CILIP CKG Shadowing Scheme

22/02/2017

Debut script wins both Tinniswood and Imison awards

22/02/2017

Can pay, can’t pay: your sources of income from ALCS

22/02/2017

Love from libraries: Public Lending Right 2015/6

Many authors will have felt the love on finding a credit from Public Lending Right (PLR) in their bank accounts on 14 February. As well as the boost to the bottom line, it warms a writer’s heart to know that their books are being borrowed from UK public libraries.
22/02/2017

The ALCS Interview: Anna Weltman

"If you look for the things you love.....you can find them." The winner of the 2016 Educational Writers’ Award tells us about the beauty she finds in maths.
25/01/2017

The ALCS Interview: Andy McNab

The winner of the inaugural Ruth Rendell Award for the writer who has done the most to raise literacy levels in the UK, tells us why adult literacy is a cause very close to his heart.
25/01/2017

5 Ways to Make More Money from your Books in 2017

Author and entrepreneur Joanna Penn gives authors a January pep talk on extracting the max from their published works
25/01/2017

2017: The Year Ahead

Which will be the most pressing issues for writers and copyright over the next 12 months? In keeping with tradition, we ask our ALCS leadership to share their thoughts.
25/01/2017

2017 Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Awards: Winners announced

25/01/2017

Writing in the Digital Age: an ALCS panel debate

The 2016 ALCS AGM was followed by a panel discussion, held in association with Byte the Book, which looked at the new ways in which writers are monetising their content in the digital age.
23/12/2016

ALCS sponsors H G Wells Short Story Competition

Sponsored by ALCS, the H G Wells Short Story Competition aims to encourage literacy in Folkestone and surrounding areas, places where the renowned writer H G Wells lived and worked. The competition also aims to encourage literacy nationally and to give aspiring writers a platform from which to launch their careers.
21/12/2016

ALCS AGM 2016

Thank you to all those members who joined us at our Annual General Meeting at The Royal Society in London last month. Read on for our summary of the event.
21/12/2016

Winners in Westminster

The annual All Party Writers Group (APWG) Winter Reception at the House of Commons earlier this month was attended by a throng of writers, Lords and MPs, who celebrated the presentation of two prestigious ALCS-sponsored awards.
21/12/2016

It’s Awards Season at ALCS!

Next month brings the announcement of the winners of two ALCS-sponsored awards: the 2016 Educational Writers' Award, and, in its inaugural year, the Ruth Rendell Award.
20/11/2016

Screenwriters and directors in Europe: Time for fairer remuneration

19/10/2016

The art of translation: flying the flag for global literature

19/10/2016

Motion Words: copyright resources for young creators

19/10/2016

EU copyright reforms: The ALCS perspective

Richard Combes, Head of Rights and Licensing, highlights the aspects most relevant to ALCS members in the European Commission's recent draft proposals to update European copyright rules.
22/09/2016

The ALCS Interview: The Unmumsy Mum

Sarah Turner, aka The Unmumsy Mum, tells us how her honest and hilarious blog about parenthood went viral and earned her both awards, and a major book deal.
22/09/2016

Meet your new ALCS Board Chair, Tony Bradman

Earlier this month, children’s writer Tony Bradman was appointed Chair of the ALCS Board of Directors, and he will officially take the baton in November for a three-year term.
15/09/2016

Free is not fair: Australian authors fear “fair use” educational exceptions

03/09/2016

Still using email to ask publishers if you can reuse content? Then read on…

18/08/2016
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Should knowledge be taxed? Authors are invited to submit their views

18/08/2016

Another country: A travel writer’s guide to the new world

18/08/2016

The ALCS September Distribution 2016

Wednesday 21st September brings the second of this year's two ALCS Distributions. Read our quick guide to understanding your statement
18/08/2016

Well met: Will Ing, comedy writer

In Edinburgh Festival Fringe month, we continue our series profiling ALCS Members by talking to comedy writer, Will Ing
18/08/2016

Brexit: The view from ALCS

Richard Combes, Head of Rights and Licensing, examines the implications of the EU referendum result for ALCS Members
21/07/2016

Amnesty CILIP Honour: Inaugural winners announced

ALCS sponsors the first ever children's book award to celebrate human rights
21/07/2016

Brexit: “Literature knows no boundaries”

21/07/2016

Brexit: “Nothing will change quickly”

Jonathan Fryer, journalist and ALCS Board Member charts the UK's possible progress towards the Brexit door, and how it might affect the creative industries.
21/07/2016

“The Journey”: The Winners of the ALCS and CILIP CKG 2016 Writing Competition

11/07/2016

Brexit or Bremain?

Should we stay or should we go? Ahead of next week's EU referendum, Vincent Moss, former political editor of the Sunday Mirror weighs up the arguments for those in the creative industries.
15/06/2016

Diversity Nirvana, and How To Achieve It

Baroness Floella Benjamin, OBE, now Secretary of the All Party Writers Group (APWG) looks back on her lifelong campaign for diversity within the creative industries.
15/06/2016

Creative Diversity: The APWG Summer Reception

We report on the recent All Party Writers Group (APWG) Summer Reception at the House of Lords which saw some inspiring speeches on the subject of diversity.
05/06/2016

Writers: Don’t fear the festival

There are more opportunities than ever for authors to appear on the burgeoning festival circuit. Helen Bagnall, Director of The Also Festival and Salon London shares her advice for authors taking to the stage.
05/06/2016

Self-publishing: What’s trending?

Self-publishing has been an established route to market for authors in a diverse range of genres for over a decade. Orna Ross, author and Founder-Director of the Alliance for Independent Authors (ALLi) identifies the latest trends.
20/05/2016

The ALCS Interview: Crystal Mahey-Morgan

Crystal Mahey-Morgan is an independent multi-media publisher and founder of ‘OWN IT!’, a company specialising in ‘telling stories across books, music, fashion and film’. She shares her insights into digital publishing and diversity with Jade Zienkiewicz, along with some advice for authors on contracts, and how they can find new audiences online.
20/05/2016

Byte the Book: Clever Content

How writers are mastering all things digital to create new revenue streams.
08/04/2016

Fun Palaces: Creativity at the Heart of Community

Stella Duffy, writer, actor and co-director of Fun Palaces on the life-changing importance of providing access to culture and creativity for all
06/04/2016

Well Met: Shaun McCarthy, Playwright & Educational Writer

05/04/2016

The Price Still Ain’t Right

A concerted campaign against writers being asked to work without payment is gathering pace on a number of fronts. We take the temperature of the current debate.
06/03/2016

Oh Canada! How Not to Reform Copyright

Educational exceptions to copyright introduced in Canada four years ago have had a devastating effect on writers' incomes, with similar consequences reported in Ireland and Australia. Writers in the UK must remain on high alert to this threat, argues John Degen.
06/03/2016

Ruth Rendell Award launched by ALCS & the National Literacy Trust

12/02/2016

Interesting Times: A Writer’s Survival Guide

Bestselling US author Dorien Kelly on how we can make these interesting times the best of times to be a writer.
09/02/2016

Meet Your New ALCS Board Member: Maggie Gee

We are pleased to introduce writer Maggie Gee who was elected to the ALCS Board for a three year term at the end of 2015.
18/01/2016

Under One Roof: The New Home of ALCS

In July 2015, ALCS moved into one building with The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) and The Publishers Licensing Society (PLS). Read on to find out more about our offices and our new housemates.
18/01/2016

Save the Author! Join the Fairer Contracts Campaign

14/01/2016

Read the World

How you can help not-for-profit organisation Worldreader put books into the hands of those who lack even basic reading material.
01/12/2015

Inspire, Create, Educate: ALCS & Copyright Education

11/11/2015

The ALCS News Interview: Susan Hill

Literary novelist, crime novelist, short story writer, non-fiction writer, e-book author, children’s writer, publisher. Susan Hill’s many-faceted writing career is still flourishing in its sixth decade. She talks to Caroline Sanderson about the art of writer reinvention.
01/11/2015

20 Years of International Public Lending Right

Dr Jim Parker, co-ordinator of International Public Lending Right (IPLR) Network and organiser of the biennial IPLR conference, reports on the 20th anniversary meeting in The Hague.
21/10/2015

The ALCS Interview: Pete Wishart MP

Rock musician, MP and now Chair of the All Party Writers Group (APWG). The Scottish National Party politician talks to us about creators' rights, libraries, music, books and what is next on the agenda for the APWG.
02/09/2015

The Great Recipe Rip-Off

When it comes to recipes, a little credit goes a long way argues food writer and blogger, Kerstin Rodgers aka MsMarmiteLover.
26/08/2015

Homeless Books: the Book Authors Resale Right

One year on from the launch of the Book Authors Resale Right, its founder William Pryor of Bookbarn International urges other second-hand booksellers to get on board with the scheme
30/07/2015

Charles Dickens, Copyright Pioneer

Lucinda Hawksley, ALCS Member and great great great granddaughter of Charles Dickens reflects on copyright law, then and now, and the vital campaigning role her illustrious forebear played in its creation.
24/06/2015

Crowded House: Why I Crowd Funded My Book

Award-winning writer Alice Jolly explains why she took the crowd-funding route to publish her forthcoming memoir Dead Babies and Seaside Towns.
20/05/2015

In Safe Hands: Public Lending Right Looks to the Future

25/02/2015

PLR’s Most Borrowed 2013/14

For the eighth year running, James Patterson has retained his crown as the Most Borrowed Author in UK libraries.
18/02/2015

Free is NOT an Option

We must stop expecting TV writers to work for nothing if we are to have a sustainable industry, says actor and scriptwriter Bill Armstrong
18/11/2014

Public Lending Right: Take Action

The DCMS Secretary of State has recently supported the British Library Boards’ recommendation to increase the rate per loan for Public Lending Right (PLR) but the overall fund remains the same. So, we are calling on ALCS members to contact their MPs to press for an increase to the PLR fund as a way to provide improved support to the creative workforce, particularly during these difficult times for the sector.
16/11/2014

What Are Words Worth Now? Not Enough

Earlier this month, ALCS released the shocking headline findings from its recent survey of authors’ earnings, causing a flurry of press coverage, and a wealth of comment on social media.
27/07/2014

Are We All On The Same Page? The ALCS Debate

“If we can’t create a living for writers in the future, then we have a real problem”: Adam Singer, Chair of the ALCS Board.
22/07/2014

The Price Ain’t Right: What You Said

ALCS News readers responded in their droves to last month's piece by Danuta Kean about writers being asked to work for nothing. Here is a small selection of your comments.
08/03/2014
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