The Best Writing and Publishing Resources for Midlands-Based Authors

The Midlands region is a vibrant hub for writers, offering a wide range of resources and opportunities for both budding and established authors. As well as being our home region, it is a vibrant location for Midlands-based authors seeking advice, publishing guidance, or author-based networking opportunities. This blog explores some of the key organisations, events and companies that can support Midlands-based authors looking to develop their writing skills and knowledge. 

Organisations for Midlands-based Authors

• Writing East Midlands (WEM): This organisation is the literary development agency for the East Midlands, supported by the Arts Council and cheerleading Midlands-based authors at all stages of their journey through events, workshops, mentoring and the Aurora Prize for Writing. Based in Nottingham for 10 years, the agency aims to lower the barriers to creativity and support all East Midlands writers in developing and gaining confidence. Writing East Midlands is just one of a network of literature development agencies across the UK; in the Midlands region, you can also find Writing West Midlands, based in Birmingham, which has the same guiding principles as WEM but with a West Midlands focus. 
• The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain – Midlands Branch: The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) is a trade union representing professional writers in all disciplines across the UK. The East and West Midlands branches host regular events, workshops and meetups for Midlands-based author members. Membership of WGGB provides access to a wealth of resources, including contract advice, legal support and opportunities to connect with fellow writers, invaluable to regional authors.
• Society of Authors (SOA): Another national organisation, with local reach, the SOA is the largest UK organisation advocating for writers’ rights at every stage of their career. As a membership organisation, they have a wealth of support for writers, illustrators and translators including contract checking services. They have a growing number of regional chapters, where members can meet up locally to network learn and share experiences – including a vibrant for Midlands-based authors who are members. 
• Leicester Writers’ Club: Leicester Writers’ Club is one of the oldest writing groups in the Midlands and offers a supportive environment for writers of all genres, with regular critique sessions, guest speakers, workshops, Thursday night meetups and summer open evenings, where interested writers can join in and learn more. 

Events and Festivals for Midlands-based Writers 

Writing and publishing events are a great way for all authors or would-be-authors to get together to learn and network. Luckily the Midlands is home to some fantastic writing events. 

1. The National Writers Conference is hosted by Writing West Midlands (which we discussed earlier), in association with the University of Birmingham. Writing East Midlands also run writers’ conferences, although not necessarily every year.
2. For readers and literature lovers in the Midlands, the annual free Literary Leicester features a plethora of speakers and literature-based events – from best-selling authors to debates and workshops, all organised by the Centre for New Writing at the University of Leicester every March.
3. The Self-Publishing Conference runs annually in Leicester and celebrates its 10th year in 2024. The conference is aimed at writers and indie publishers at any stage of their careers. Filled with workshops and talks on all aspects of self-publishing, and the chance to network and learn from other writers and experts in the field. You can read more about why it’s such a respected event for authors in our blog.
4. Self-Publishing Experience days. For writers looking to gain knowledge and skills in writing and self-publishing, Leicester-based we also host in-person and online events. Our popular Self-Publishing Experience Day takes place at our office and distribution centre in Market Harborough and encompasses all aspects of self-publishing a book, ebook or audiobook – from editing the manuscript to typesetting and cover design, marketing and distribution. In addition, we host a wealth of other events and webinars across the year too.

Independent Publishers and Bookshops for Midlands-based Writers

And last, but not least, the Midlands is home to many vibrant independent publishers with publishing programmes across all genres as well as bookshops that support them. Midlands-based authors are encouraged to engage and learn more about the vibrant Midlands publishing scene by exploring our top choices of publishers and bookshops.

Publishers: 

• Nine Arches Press 
• Sweet Cherry Publishing 
• Troubador Publishing 
• The Book Guild
• Ulverscroft Books 
• Brown Watson 

Indie Bookshops

• Kibworth Books 
• Quinns Bookshop
• Five Leaves Bookshop
• Fox Books

The Midlands is a thriving region for writers, brimming with opportunities for writer development, networking and publishing. Midlands-based authors have access to a wealth of local resources to support their writing journey.