Episodes

  • Funding matters: Funding opportunities in England, Scotland and Wales

    Funding matters: Funding opportunities in England, Scotland and Wales
    Jun 30 2025
    Funding is everything to creatives. If writers are unable to access and maintain sustainable careers, taking in a wide range of creative disciplines, skills and intellect, the impacts for them and for society more widely would be far-reaching and profound. And so then, what support is out there and how can writers access those funds? How do bodies with funding authority allocate their monies? And what of the wider network of funding initiatives and opportunities for writers? Join SoA Advisory Clinic podcast host Theo Jones as we bring you another chance to catch up on this timely event thanks to the #SoAathome festival team. Featuring Pete Stones and Patrick Cash from the Arts Council England, Alan Bett from Creative Scotland and Leusa Llewelyn from Literature Wales. Show notes: Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year’s membership. ALCS Funding Week | Industry Insider - Funding opportunities in England, Scotland and Wales - The Society of Authors Anna Ganley - The Society of Authors Alan Bett | Creative Scotland Our Staff - Literature Wales Creators' Rights Alliance International Authors Forum – A forum for Authors' Organisations The London Book Fair | Defining the Future of Creative Content The Society of Authors – The UK trade union for more than 12,500 writers, illustrators and literary translators. The Society of Authors Bookshop UK Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre - Literature Wales Arts Council England Homepage Contact us | Arts Council England Spread the Word – Helping London's writers make their mark on the page, the screen and in the world. the87press Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants | Arts Council England Diversity | Arts Council England Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) | Arts Council England Home | Creative Scotland Bloody Scotland | International Crime Writing Festival Festival Info - Borders Book Festival Gutter New Writing Scotland - Association for Scottish Literature Northwords Now Open Funding | Creative Scotland Open Fund for Individuals | Creative Scotland Dundee and Angus Scots Scriever announced | Creative Scotland Scottish Poetry Library - The world's leading resource for Scottish poetry Moniack Mhor - Scotland's Creative Writing Centre Life of a Book: Author Development Programme - Moniack Mhor Scottish Book Trust - Reading, Writing & Literacy Charity - Scottish Book Trust Gaelic Books Council - Supporting Scottish Gaelic writers and publishers Literature Wales | Developing Literature in Wales Arts Council of Wales | Arts Council of Wales Children's Laureate Wales - Literature Wales Alex Wharton, Children's Laureate Wales 2023-2025 - Literature Wales Writers of Wales Directory - Literature Wales Information and Background - Literature Wales Hay Festival – After Hours Birmingham, 24 July 2025 Inspiring Communities Fund - Literature Wales Individuals | Arts Council of Wales Ineligible Application PROJECT GRANTS: Under £15,000 Rates and fees - The Society of Authors Welcome to WGGB: The Writers' Union - The Writers' Guild of Great Britain National Union of Journalists (NUJ): Home DYCP case studies | Arts Council England Contact Us | Creative Scotland Join the SoA - The Society of Authors Events The Society of Authors Donate The Society of Authors – The UK trade union for more than 12,500 writers, illustrators and literary translators.
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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • Artificially Intelligent: the latest on collective licensing and parliamentary debate

    Artificially Intelligent: the latest on collective licensing and parliamentary debate
    May 12 2025
    On the 25th of February 2025 the industry came together in an unprecedented show of support to recognise the importance of human-centred creativity as developments in the Artificial Intelligence space continued apace. As government considers their next steps, we reflect on that work and bring you all the latest as the Authors’ Licensing & Collecting Society (ALCS) launch their limited licensing initiatives together with the CLA (the Copyright Licensing Agency) and the Authors’ Guild in the US speak to us about their Human-authored Certification project. We also bring you up to speed on a recent parliamentary debate on the impact of AI on the creative industries with author and Minister at DCMS Sir Chris Bryant attending for the government. Featuring Richard Combes from ALCS, Umair Kazi from the Authors’ Guild and a host of parliamentarians. This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society. Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year’s membership. ALCS Ambre Morvan - The Society of Authors The SoA's message to Meta: don't steal our books - The Society of Authors Petition · Protect authors’ livelihoods from the unlicensed use of their work in AI training - United Kingdom · Change.org ALCS | ALCS submission to Government’s AI and copyright consultation ALCS | Changes to Copyright Licensing Agency licences Human Authored Certification - The Authors Guild Intellectual Property: Artificial Intelligence - Hansard - UK Parliament Government consultation on AI and copyright closes with unprecedented day of action by creative sector - The Society of Authors SoA report into authors’ views on the AI and Copyright consultation - The Society of Authors Peter Kyle on X: "Thank you to everyone who responded to our consultation on Ai and copyright. As we work through the 11,000 responses I promise no changes will be considered unless we can be sure the solution works for creators- that is a red line and we will honour it. https://t.co/s6Y1OUpv2i" / X Make It Fair - News Media Association Pay the Creator — creators' rights alliance Audio Drama - The Society of Authors A-Brave-New-World-_ALCS_AI_Report.pdf Hargreaves review of intellectual property and growth: government response - GOV.UK Don’t gift our work to AI billionaires: Mark Haddon, Michael Rosen and other creatives urge government | Artificial intelligence (AI) | The Guardian Public Lending Right (PLR): Eligibility & Registration - The British Library Collective licence to ensure UK authors get paid for works used to train AI | Books | The Guardian The Unbelievable Scale of AI’s Pirated-Books Problem - The Atlantic Federal Law Enforcement Arrests and Indicts Z-Library Operators with AG's Assistance - The Authors Guild Fair Use Chapter 1 - Circular 92 | U.S. Copyright Office Supreme Court sides against Andy Warhol Foundation in copyright case : NPR FAQs on the Human Authored Certification - The Authors Guild Parliamentlive.tv - Westminster Hall James Frith MP for Bury North Carolyn Harris Home | Wendy Chamberlain MP for North East Fife Caroline Dinenage MP | Gosport Oh, I’m sorry, tech bros – did DeepSeek copy your work? I can hardly imagine your distress | Marina Hyde | The Guardian Contact information for Alison Hume - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament John McDonnell MP Lizzi Collinge MP Chris Bryant MP for Rhondda and Ogmore - Rhondda and Ogmore's Voice
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Streaming now… an investigation into subscription models for online audiobooks

    Streaming now… an investigation into subscription models for online audiobooks
    Apr 28 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    https://www.findawayvoices.com/earn

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

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

    https://www.overdrive.com/

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

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

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

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

    https://www.creatorsrightsalliance.org/paythecreator
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    36 mins
  • Our words, not yours: the Meta protest

    Our words, not yours: the Meta protest
    Apr 14 2025

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

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

    ALCS

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

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

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

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

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

    abielongstaff.com

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

    Candy Gourlay

    Home - Piers Torday

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

    Email Your MP — Creative Rights In AI Coalition

    Statement on AI training

    Join the SoA - The Society of Authors

    Make It Fair - News Media Association

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    28 mins
  • What Does a Publisher Actually Do? from London Book Fair

    What Does a Publisher Actually Do? from London Book Fair
    Mar 31 2025
    What can you expect from a traditional publisher and where do they add value? How can writers spot worthwhile publishing deals and run for the hills from a dodgy one? And what of pets for online marketing? Step into the SoA Advisory Clinic to learn about all this and more as we bring you another chance to catch up on an event originally produced as part of the London Book Fair’s Writers’ Summit 2025. Featuring the Deputy Chief Executive of the SoA, Sarah Burton, writers Penny Batchelor, Mark Edwards, and SoA Fellow and writer, Philip Womack. This podcast is brought to you thanks to the the kind sponsorship of the Authors’ Licensing & Collecting Society. Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year’s membership. www.alcs.co.uk Sarah Burton – The Society of Authors Philip Womack - Royal Literary Fund Penny Batchelor - Author Bookshop UK Mark Edwards - Mark Edwards Embla Books - Bonnier Books The ADCI Literary Prize – The Society of Authors Wildlord by Philip Womack (9781912417971/Paperback) | LoveReading4Kids Ghostlord by Philip Womack (9781915071262/Paperback) | LoveReading4Kids Fellows – The Society of Authors Fair remuneration – The Society of Authors A profession struggling to sustain itself – The Society of Authors Home - Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency Self Publishing | Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing LJ Ross - The Multi-Million Bestselling Author Beautiful Books You Won’t Forget | Salt Publishing Bookouture Storm Publishing - adult fiction publishing Boldwood - Publishing Reimagined Substack - A new economic engine for culture A guide to the data protection principles | ICO End bad practice in ‘hybrid’ / paid-for publishing – sign the open letter – The Society of Authors Get in touch – The Society of Authors The advisory team on: scams – The Society of Authors Public Lending Right (PLR): Eligibility & Registration - The British Library Two New Daggers Announced - The Crime Writers’ Association
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    46 mins
  • The SoA Advisory Clinic: Attention, class!

    The SoA Advisory Clinic: Attention, class!
    Mar 17 2025

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

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

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

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

    https://ianbillings.com/

    https://www.davinahamilton.com/

    https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/

    https://literacytrust.org.uk/

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

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

    https://societyofauthors.org/2024/07/10/preparing-for-author-school-visits/
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • The SoA Advisory Clinic: Roll Up & Read All About It: the business of journalism for writers

    The SoA Advisory Clinic: Roll Up & Read All About It: the business of journalism for writers
    Mar 3 2025

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

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

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

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

    https://www.alcs.co.uk/ai-licences/

    https://societyofauthors.org/resources/

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

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

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

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

    https://www.sgdl.org/

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

    https://www.barbican.org.uk/

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

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

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    50 mins
  • The SoA Advisory Clinic: Throw us a line: help save audio drama

    The SoA Advisory Clinic: Throw us a line: help save audio drama
    Feb 24 2025

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

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

    Show notes:

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

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

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

    https://writersguild.org.uk/

    https://www.equity.org.uk/

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

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

    https://www.nellleyshon.com/#Home

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

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

    https://rhiannontise.com/

    https://www.perfectlynormalproductions.com/

    https://www.hannahsilva.co.uk/

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    49 mins