Free Reads A Manuscript Assessment Service

London Writers Centre supports talented, low-income London writers to receive professional manuscript assessments. 

The TLC Free Reads Scheme offers low-income writers the opportunity to get free professional feedback on their writing via The Literary Consultancy, the UK’s leading editorial consultancy.  

This scheme is open to writers of fiction, non-fiction, short stories, poetry, scripts and screenplays. Writers are hand-matched to a suitable reader from its list of 80+ professional editors and will receive either a partial or full read on their submission, with the feedback provided in the form of a written critique by TLC. The Free Read scheme particularly welcomes applications from writers belonging to groups currently under-represented in publishing including disabled writers, writers of colour, and members of the LGBQTIA+ community. 

London Writers Centre is delighted to be an official partner for The Free Reads scheme, supporting applications from London writers. In the last 13 years, we’ve supported 67 writers with receiving professional feedback via the scheme.

Free Reads will open for applications on Wednesday 29 July 2026 and close at midday on Tuesday 6 October 2026. Find out more about how to apply on our Opportunities page.