The latest news from ALCS

Lord Clement-Jones appointed ALCS Non-Executive Chair

13/03/2025

Your rights are under threat from AI. It’s time to have your say!

24/02/2025

Longlist announced for V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize 2025

24/01/2025

ALCS Educational Writers’ Award 2024 shortlist

The shortlist for the UK’s only award for creative educational writing features five outstanding books for readers aged 11-18.
15/01/2025

07/01/2025

AI: Where we’re at two years on

CEO Barbara Hayes discusses what has happened in the two years since generative AI burst onto the scene, as well as the journey ALCS has been on to ensure writers' rights and livelihoods are protected.
02/12/2024

Joanne Harris: The value of human creativity

Author and ALCS Board member Joanne Harris reflects on generative AI, its impact on the lives of human creators and the importance of safeguarding human creativity.
02/12/2024

Tom Chatfield: What do these results mean for authors?

02/12/2024

gif test

24/08/2022
TEST ALT TEXT

A new article

A new excerpt
16/02/2022

h5 test article

an excerpt!
16/02/2022

A change to ALCS articles claims guidelines – newspaper supplements

Effective immediately, members are no longer able to claim for any articles written for Newspaper Supplements from ALCS.
14/01/2022

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
maureen duffy image

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
maureen duffy image

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
conor kostick image

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
National Writing Day logo

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
film the house logo

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
ALCS at 40 logo

ALCS at 40: Four dedicated decades of campaigning for writers

24/05/2017
Picture of Tina Chantrey

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
maureen duffy image

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
meet an alcs member, susie maguire image

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
European Commission logo

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

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