Amazon Literary Partnership (ALP) is back for its sixth year after five successful years providing grants to literary organisations that encourage and champion writers of all ages and stages across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

In 2024, the ALP supported 37 literary groups across the UK, more than ever before; and for the first time supported groups in the Republic of Ireland. Beneficiaries included organisations dedicated to amplifying voices that aren’t usually heard, or groups that engage children with expressing themselves through writing.

The Amazon Literary Partnership is now open and invites applications from all non-profit literary organisations in the UK and Republic of Ireland for grants to support and help grow their work in 2025. Details of how to submit an application and the criteria for entering can be found at the end of this article.

Fighting Words was one of the first organisations in Ireland to benefit from the ALP, when it expanded to the region in 2024.

On a mission to provide creative opportunities for young writers in Ireland, Fighting Words hosts free creative writing groups including Word Warriors for younger children, and Write Club for teenagers. The team also produces publications and open mic events to offer young people a platform to have their voices heard.

Colm Ó Cuanacháin, Executive Director at Fighting Words said: “This year, with the support of the Amazon Literary Partnership, Fighting Words scaled up and expanded our activities to reach young people in new locations like Tallaght and Limerick. We believe all children are creative and should have a chance to share their brilliant and imaginative stories through plays, poems, prose, pictures and songs. But not all children get the opportunity or the access to creative writing support. That's what we do at Fighting Words, and it's great that we can do even more of it now through this partnership.”

(Credit: Fighting Words)
(Credit: Fighting Words)

Ministry of Stories is an organisation that has received Amazon Literary Partnership grants for the last five years. In 2024 their grant went towards funding workshops for young people in East London

Based in the heart of Hoxton, East London, Ministry of Stories is an organisation dedicated to unleashing the creative potential of young people from age 6-15. Led by professional writers and supported by a team of more than 150 volunteer writing mentors, each term sees young people work on a different creative writing project. The dedicated team helps young people discover their confidence, imagination and potential through weekly workshops and exciting creative writing projects.

Cian, aged 13, is one young person who has taken part in Ministry of Stories’ workshops. Speaking on his experience with Ministry of Stories, he said “I've made lifelong friends; and not only have I made friends, it's also given me confidence. Now I can speak and I won’t be afraid of anything.” Before Cian joined the workshops he struggled to stand up and speak in school. Now he can't wait to share his work with his friends. His family also noticed a change in confidence and creative expression, with him starting to draw more at home and being more confident at school.

Ministry of Stories provides young people with a safe space, where they can explore their ideas, feel listened to and have their ideas and writing valued.

(Credit: Ministry of Stories)
(Credit: Ministry of Stories)

The Amazon Literary Partnership also supported Stories Of Our Lives with their community writing project.

Stories of Our Lives is a community-led, inter-generational and co-created record of the stories and lessons that should be remembered and shared. The stories are inspired by what members are currently living through as well as memories from the past. The organisation helps to build a strong, intergenerational community and focuses on reflecting on personal growth, developing new skills and empowering one another through the power of storytelling.

Jolene Sheehan, Founder of Stories Of Our Lives shared: “With this funding, we’ve been able to extend our reach and impact in ways that we previously couldn’t; including bringing in guest poets, exploring international connections, and hosting sessions that empower participants to lead.”

Literature Works used their ALP grant to extend access to members of the community who needed the programme the most.

Inclusion is at the heart of everything Literature Works does by offering alternative routes into the world of words and stories, which are free or low cost and can be pursued at people’s own pace. The programme focuses on grass roots opportunities as well as a talent development programme tailored for people who are wanting to take their writing to the next level.

Helen Chaloner, CEO said: “The support of the Amazon Literary Partnership has been crucial to keeping work across our programme free or at low cost for the people who need it most. It means we can continue working in communities, with communities, connecting with people who are new to creative writing.  It helps remove some of the barriers that get in the way of people telling their tales and having their voices heard.”

Supported groups

In 2024, the Amazon Literary Partnership awarded funding to these grant recipients.

Applications for the Amazon Literary Partnership 2025 grants

How do the grants work and how can I apply?

Amazon Literary Partnership provides grants to nonprofit literary organisations on an annual basis. Applications for 2025 grants are being accepted between 26th November 2024 and 31st January 2025 for groups operating in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Grant recipients will be notified by 16th May 2025. Due to the volume of requests, we are unable to respond personally to each inquiry, nor can we provide guidance on applications.

Please find the online application here.

Who is eligible?

Applicants must be a registered nonprofit organisation in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland, whose core mission is to develop emerging writers, support diversity, celebrate storytelling, and/or build authors’ careers. Organisations should be structurally and financially sound; display energy, passion, and reach; have an online presence and an enthusiastic membership or readership.

What is the submission period?

Grant applications for 2025 are now open to non-profit literary organisations until 31st January 2025.