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The Society of Authors is a non-profit making organisation, founded in 1884, “to protect the rights and further the interests of authors”
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Directory of organisations and links

This page contains links to organisations which are of relevance to our work. They may be sources of funding, organisations working in partnership with us, or organisations we feel may be of interest to you.

If you would like to suggest a link, or for us to remove a link to your organisation's website, please contact us. We reserve the right remove links at our discretion, and without warning or notification. Websites that are 'under construction' will not be accepted.

Arts Council England

The national policy body for the arts in England.
Address:
14 Great Peter Street London SW1P 3NQ
Telephone:
020 7333 0100
Fax:
020 7973 6590
Email:
enquiries@artscouncil.org.uk
Website:
Arvon Foundation

The foundation has 3 centres (the others are at Totleigh Barton in Devon and Moniack Mhor in Inverness-shire), which run residential poetry-writing courses throughout the year.
Address:
Lumb Bank, Hebden Bridge West Yorkshire HX7 6DF
Telephone:
01422 843714
Fax:
01422 843714
Website:
Association of Christian Writers

The vision of the Association of Christian Writers is to see quality writing in every area of the media, whether it be overtly Christian or shaped by a Christian perspective, reaching the widest possible range of people throughout the United Kingdom and beyond.
Address:
23 Moorend Lane, Thame, Oxon, OX9 3BQ
Email:
admin@christianwriters.org.uk
Website:
Association of Authors' Agents (AAA)

Holds regular meetings for members.
Address:
2nd Floor Drury House 34-43 Russell Street London WC2B 5HA
Telephone:
020 7344 1000
Fax:
020 7836 9541
Website:
Authors' Club (at the Arts Club)

Administers the Authors' Club Best First Novel Award and the Sir Banister Fletcher Award. Contact the Secretary for more information about membership.
Address:
40 Dover Street London W1S 4NP
Telephone:
020 7499 8581
Fax:
020 7409 0913
Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS)

The Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) represents the interests of all UK writers and aims to ensure writers are fairly compensated for any works that are copied, broadcast or recorded. 

 
Address:
The Writers' House, 13 Haydon Street, London EC3N 1DB
Telephone:
020 7264 5700
Fax:
020 7264 5755
Email:
alcs@alcs.co.uk
Website:
BooksfromScotland.com

BooksfromScotland.com is a new venture funded by the Scottish Arts Council and owned by a charitable organisation. An information and online bookselling site featuring author biographies, interviews, extracts, articles, etc as well as selling all kinds of Scottish-interest books.
Website:
Bookseller (The)

Journal of the UK publishing and bookselling trades. While outside contributions are welcomed, most of the journal's contents are commissioned. Founded: 1858.
Address:
VNU Entertainment Media Ltd, 5th Floor, Endeavour House, 189 Shaftesbury Avenue London WC2H 8TJ
Telephone:
020 7420 6006
Fax:
020 7420 6103
Website:
Booksellers Association (BA) of the United Kingdom & Ireland
Address:
Minster House, 272 Vauxhall Bridge Road London SW1V 1BA
Telephone:
020 7802 0802
Fax:
020 7802 0803
Email:
mail@booksellers.org.uk
Website:
Booktrust

Booktrust is involved in reader development projects spanning the arts, education and publishing throughout the UK.
Address:
45 East Hill London SW18 2QZ
Telephone:
020 8516 2988
Fax:
020 8516 2978
Website:
British Academy of Composers and Songwriters
Address:
British Music House, 25-27 Berners Street London W1T 3LR
Telephone:
020 7636 2929
Fax:
020 7636 2212
Website:
British Centre for Literary Translation (BCLT)

Aims to promote literary translation and the status of the literary translator by working in the UK and overseas with translator associations and centres, cultural policymakers, teachers and reaserchers.
Address:
University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ
Telephone:
01603 592 785
Fax:
01603 592 737
Website:
British Council

The British Council produces an online, searchable database containing a comprehensive guide to Literary Festivals (and general Arts Festivals with a literary content) happening around the UK - visit http://literaryfestivals.britishcouncil.org
Address:
10 Spring Gardens London SW1A 2BN
Fax:
020 7839 6347
Website:
British Library (The)
Address:
96 Euston Road London NW1 2DB
Telephone:
020 7412 7332
Fax:
020 7412 7340
Website:
Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)

The leading membership body for library and information professionals. Formerly the Library Association.
Address:
7 Ridgmount Street London WC1E 7AE
Telephone:
020 7255 0500
Fax:
020 7255 0501
Website:
City University London

City University runs a number of courses - from a short 10-week writing course to a full MA. The Department of Journalism has a strong reputation for writing and journalism courses.
Address:
Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB
Telephone:
+44 (0)20 7040 5060
Email:
enquiries@city.ac.uk
Website:
Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA)
Address:
90 Tottenham Court Road London W1T 4LP
Telephone:
020 7631 5555
Fax:
020 7631 5500
Website:
Creative & Cultural Skills

Creative & Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for the creative and cultural industries. Our remit covers advertising, craft, cultural heritage, design, literature, music, performing arts and visual arts across the UK. Creative & Cultural Skills is a member of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils; together we oversee the strategic development of the workforce in our industries and deliver realistic solutions to skills needs.

Address:
Lafone House, The Leathermarket, Weston St, London SE1 3HN
Telephone:
020 7015 1800
Fax:
020 7015 1847
Email:
info@ccskills.org.uk
Website:
Creative Choices°

Creative Choices° is a unique website offering advice and inspiration on careers in the creative and cultural industries. Creative Choices° provides the tools, knowledge and networks to support individuals pursuing a career in design, visual arts, performing arts, music, craft, advertising, cultural heritage and literature. Each month, we attract around 25,000 unique visitors who view over 100,000 pages. Our fortnightly e-newsletters go out to around 10,000 registered users. Creative Choices° – Essential kit for your career.
Address:
London Office, Lafone House, The Leathermarket, Weston St London SE1 3HN
Telephone:
020 7015 1800
Fax:
020 7015 1847
Email:
info@creative-choices.co.uk
Website:
Creators Rights Alliance (CRA)
Crime Writers' Association (CWA)
Website:
English PEN

The English branch of the world association of writers, which promotes friendship and understanding between writers and strives to defend freedom of expression.
Address:
Lancaster House, 33 Islington High Street London N1 9LH
Telephone:
020 7713 0023
Fax:
020 7713 0005
Website:
Hampstead Authors' Society (HAS)

Set up in 1997 to provide a professional and social network and forum for writers and other interested people in the Hampstead area, HAS has since been joined by members from other parts of London, Oxford, Cambridge and even from France. Its activities include: readings of both published and unpublished work, book displays of members at local bookshops, talks by a range of speakers from authors of fiction and non-fiction to booksellers, agents, publishers and television producers, visits to places of interest like the new British Library, panel discussions on topical issues about books and writing (some of these discussions are open to the public), walks on Hampstead Heath followed by tea and a reading, talks by members at local schools/workshops on researching the internet.
Chairman: Zsuzsanna Ardo
Website:
Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators

Professional body for technical authors and technical illustrators.
Address:
Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon CR0 0XZ
Telephone:
020 8253 4506
Fax:
020 8253 4510
Email:
istc@istc.org.uk
Website:
Institute of Translation & Interpreting (ITI)

Professional association of translators and interpreters which aims to promote the highest standards in translating and interpreting.
Address:
Fortina House, South Fifth Street Milton Keynes MK9 2EU
Website:
ISBN, SAN, & DOI Agencies
Address:
3rd Floor, Midas House, 62 Goldsworth Road, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6LQ.
Telephone:
0870 777 8712
Fax:
0870 777 8714
Email:
isbn@nielsenbookdata.co.uk
Website:
Literature Training

The Literature Training website contains information for writers and those involved in creating or supporting new writing and literature in the UK. 
Address:
Literature Training, PO Box 23595, Edinburgh EH6 7YX
Telephone:
0131 553 2210
Email:
info@literaturetraining.com
Website:
London Library

Founded by Thomas Carlyle in 1841, the London Library is now the largest independent lending library in the world. It has a proud tradition of serving generations of readers, writers, scholars and researchers by lending material from its extensive collection, which now exceeds one million books and periodical volumes. Membership is open to all.
Address:
14 St James's Square London SW1Y 4LG
Telephone:
(020) 7930 7705
Fax:
(020) 7766 4766
Website:
MET—Mediterranean Editors and Translators

A network of English language facilitators. MET is an association that shares knowledge and brings together people in the Mediterranean and southern European area who give language support for international communication in English.
Email:
metmember@gmail.com
Website:
Modern Poetry in Translation
National Union of Journalists (NUJ)

Trade union for working journalists with 28,000 members and 147 branches.
Address:
Headland House, 308-312 Gray's Inn Road London WC1X 8DP
Telephone:
020 7278 7916
Fax:
020 7837 8143
Website:
New Lit

newlit.co.uk is a website that provides writing consultancy and mentoring for new and established writers.

Newlit professionals report on writers' work for the writing consultancy and there is an on-line mentoring scheme for those who want to dedicate more time to their writing.

 
Telephone:
+01144 (0)20 7503 0954 / +01144 (0)7957 509587
Website:
New Writing South

New Writing South is a writing organisation in the South East open to all creative writers, for those seeking creative writers and for other creative writing agencies including all producers of dramatic writing.

The site features the Pirandello Database of writers in the south east. Originally created by Arts Council South East and Oxford Brookes, the database is now run by New Writing South. You can reach Pirandello at www.pirandello.org.uk
Address:
9 Jew Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1UT.
Telephone:
01273 735353
Website:
NUJ London Freelance Fees Guide

The London Freelance branch of the National Union of Journalists.
Website:
Own-it

Own-it, Intellectual Property Advice Service, provides free advice, resources and events on intellectual property for creative businesses, including copyright, design rights, trade marks, patents, branding, licensing, royalties and contracts. Membership is free and members can attend events, access event podcasts, templates of legal contracts, legal advice and book one-to-one IP advice sessions with lawyers.
Email:
info@own-it.org
Website:
Performing Rights Society (PRS)
Address:
Copyright House, 29-33 Berners Street London W1T 3AB
Telephone:
020 7580 5544
Fax:
020 7306 4455
Website:
Personal Web Design

For references please contact Anna Pattison at the Society.
Address:
Focal Point, 86 Coronation Avenue, Bath, BS2 2JP.
Telephone:
01225 428300
Fax:
01225 428350
Website:
Poetry Society

The Society offers advice and information to all, with a more comprehensive level of information available to members. Membership is open to anyone interested in poetry and includes 4 issues each of the magazine Poetry Review and the newsletter Poetry News.
Address:
22 Betterton Street London WC2H 9BX
Telephone:
020 7420 9880
Fax:
020 7420 4818
Website:
Public Lending Right (PLR)
Address:
PLR Office, Richard House, Sorbonne Close Stokton-on-Tees TS17 6DA
Telephone:
01642 604 699
Fax:
01642 615 641
Website:
Publishers Association (PA)

A trade organisation serving book, journal and electronic publishers in the UK.
Address:
29B Montague Street London WC1B 5BH
Telephone:
020 7691 9191
Fax:
020 7691 9199
Email:
mail@publishers.org.uk
Website:
Romantic Novelists Association

he Romantic Novelists' Association exists to promote and foster all types of romantic fiction. Membership is open to writers of romantic fiction (modern and historical) or those who have had 2 or more full-length serials published. The cost of full membership is £40. Associate membership is open to publishers, editors, literary agents, booksellers, librarians and others having a close connection with novel writing and publishing. The RNA is the only professional body of writers in Britain which actively encourages and supports new writers. Membership of the New Writers' Scheme is available to writers who have not yet had a full-length novel published. New Writers must submit a manuscript each year. The mss receive a report from experienced published members for an increased membership fee (which includes the reading fee) of £90. Meetings are regularly held in London and the regions with guest speakers and a magazine is published bi-monthly.
Four awards are made annually: The FosterGrant Romantic Novel of the Year, The New Writers' Award, The Elizabeth Goudge Trophy and The Romance Prize.
Email:
julietsirona@myisp.co.uk
Website:
Royal Literary Fund (RLF)
Address:
3 Johnson's Court, off Fleet Street London EC4A 3EA
Telephone:
020 7353 7150
Fax:
020 7353 1350
Website:
Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP)

Works to promote high editorial standards and achieve recognition of its members' professional status.
If you need a copy-editor or proofreader, you'll find more than 450 of them in the SfEP directory.
Address:
Erico House 93-99 Upper Richmond Road London SW15 2TG
Telephone:
020 8785 5616
Website:
Society of Editors

With more than 450 members in national, regional and local newspapers, magazines and other media, the Society of Editors was formed from a merger between the former Guild of Editors and the Association of British Editors. It campaigns for media freedom.
Address:
University Centre, Granta Place, Mill Lane Cambridge CB2 1RU
Telephone:
01223 304080
Fax:
01223 304090
Website:
Society of Indexers
Address:
Society of Indexers, Woodbourn Business Centre, 10 Jessell Street, Sheffield S9 3HY.
Telephone:
0114 244 9561
Fax:
0114 244 9563
Email:
admin@indexers.org.uk
Website:
The View From Here

A print and on-line literary magazine with over 7000 on-line readers. Has a close relationship with the Arts Council funded Exclusively Independent Scheme and is a member of Publishers Weekly's BookLife. It is also in selected libraries in the South East of England and New York.
Email:
editor@viewfromheremagazine.com
Website:
The Scottish Storytelling Centre

The Scottish Storytelling Centre is situated in the heart of Edinburgh's literary and cultural quarter. Recently re-opened on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, and incorporating a Cafe, Storytelling Court and Library, the Centre is the ideal venue and resource for anyone wanting to experience live oral storytelling, foster their own storytelling skills, develop a community storytelling project or co-ordinate a storytelling event. The Centre presents a seasonal programme of theatre and literature, supported by exciting visual arts, craft and multimedia exhibitions.
Address:
43-45 High Street Edinburgh EH1 1SR
Website:
Tower Poetry

An organisation promoting poetry with special interest in education; exists to encourage and challenge everyone who reads or writes poetry.
Address:
Christ Church, Oxford, OX1 1DP
Telephone:
01865 286591
Email:
info@towerpoetry.org.uk
Website:
Trace Line

Recommended by a member who was trying to track down a long-gone and obscure rights holder. It is a no-find no-fee agency, and they tracked the person via wills etc promptly and successfully.
Address:
PO Box 239 Birkenhead Wirral CH41 1WH
Telephone:
0151 647 2024
Website:
US Library of Congress Copyright Office
Address:
Library of Congress Washington DC 20559
Website:
WATCH (Writers, Artists and Their Copyright Holders)

Database of information on whom to contact for permission to publish in copyright text and images. A joint project of the University of Texas and the University of Reading.
Website:
Welsh Book Trade Info

This website has been developed by the Welsh Books Council as a comprehensive source of information about the book industry.
Address:
Welsh Books Council Castell Brychan Aberystwyth Ceredigion SY23 2JB
Telephone:
01970 624151
Fax:
01970 625385
Email:
castellbrychan@wbc.org.uk
Website:
Writer Pictures
Address:
Writer Pictures, 90 Temple Park Crescent, Edinburgh, EH11 1HZ, United Kingdom
Telephone:
+44 (0)20 8241 0039
Email:
info@writerpictures.com
Website:
Writers' Centre Norwich

Writers’ Centre Norwich is a literature development agency based in Norwich. They work with writers, readers and diverse communities on a wide range of ongoing and one off projects and events.
Address:
14 Princes Street Norwich NR3 1AE
Telephone:
01603 877177
Website:
Writers' Guild of Great Britain (incorporating the Theatre Writers' Union)

The Writers' Guild of Great Britain is the writers' trade union, affiliated to the TUC. It represents the interests of writers in film, television, radio, theatre and publishing.
Address:
40 Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4RX.
Telephone:
020 7833 0777
Fax:
020 7833 4777
Website:
Writers in Oxford

Writers in Oxford was set up by local members of the Society of Authors in 1992 and is run by writers for one another. Applications for membership are welcome from writers who have had a full length work - or a substantial body of smaller works - published, broadcast or performed commercially. The main purpose is social. Writers in Oxford publishes a newsletter, The Oxford Writer, with details of activities, news of members' publications, and articles on topics of interest.
Website: