The Free Reads Scheme Writing East Midlands

The Free Reads Scheme 2026 Applications

The Free Reads Scheme offers low-income writers aged 18+ in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire the opportunity to receive free professional feedback on their writing via The Literary Consultancy, the UK's leading editorial consultancy.

How does the scheme work?

If you are a low-income writer based in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire (see eligibility guidelines below) you can apply for the scheme via this submissions portal. Once you have submitted, the Writing East Midlands team will read through your application and select the writers who will go on to receive a free read. Depending on number of applications, this process can take up to 12 weeks (if you have not heard from us within 12 weeks, please do not contact us until the 12-week waiting period has passed).

At this stage, you will be contacted by Writing East Midlands to let you know the status of your application. If you are successful, your details will be sent to The Literary Consultancy who will match you with an established editor for feedback, which can take 6-8 weeks. From this point, all contact will be between yourself and TLC.

Please scroll down to the application section to find out what you need to apply.

Am I eligible?

The term 'low-income', as defined by The Literary Consultancy, includes full-time students, anyone receiving Universal Credit, anyone over the age 60 and anyone earning less than £18,000 per annum. Even if you have not been included in the list above, you may still be eligible and can find out more about what is meant by 'low-income' by clicking here. Or by emailing [email protected]

When applying, you will need proof of your status as a low-income writer.

The Free Reads scheme particularly welcomes applications from writers belonging to groups currently under-represented in publishing including disabled writers, neurodivergent writers, Black, Asian, and Global Majority writers, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

In line with TLC's requirements, you will need to confirm that you are a low-income writer from the East Midlands who has not received a free read in the past 2 years.

Who are The Literary Consultancy and Writing East Midlands?

The Literary Consultancy is the UK's leading editorial consultancy, providing writers across the country with editorial services such as manuscript appraisals and editor one-to-ones. The Free Reads Scheme is a nationwide scheme delivered via regional partners.

Writing East Midlands is an Arts Council England-funded NPO and the literary development agency of the region, supporting writers across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire via mentorship opportunities, community projects, writing competitions, young writers' groups, signposting, magazines and more. WEM is the regional partner for The Free Reads Scheme and offers the opportunity to writers in the areas listed above.

What do I need to apply?

The East Midlands Free Reads Scheme accepts novels, poetry and short stories. When applying, you must confirm if you are seeking a standard free read (feedback on an extract from one of the above pieces of writing) or a submission package review (feedback on the novel extract, synopsis and cover letter you would be sending to literary agents).

For standard free reads, please submit one of the following: 150 lines of poetry, 15,000 words of your novel (plus one-page synopsis), or up to 5,000 words of short stories (2,000 words minimum).

For submission package reviews, please submit a 'Dear Agent' cover letter, a one-page synopsis and the opening 8,000 words.

Please note that due to capacity reasons, Writing East Midlands is unable to read your full extract. We will read the first 2,000 words of prose and 40 lines for poetry and will make our judgements based on this writing. However, your matched Free Reads editor will read and assess your extract in its entirety.

Application Checklist

• 150 lines of poetry, 15,000 words of your novel (plus one-page synopsis), or up to 5,000 words of short stories (2,000 words minimum)
• Or 8,000 words of your novel, a one-page synopsis and a 'Dear Agent' cover letter
• Your completed application form, which you can download here as a PDF, or here as a Word document and upload alongside the above documents
• Proof of your status as a low-income writer
• You are 18+ and based in the East Midlands
• Submit through this online submissions portal with the above documents attached

The Free Reads Scheme 2026 closes on 7th October 2026 at 11.59 pm. Any questions, please email [email protected]