The GLL Literary Foundation is an organisation, operated by charitable Social Enterprise GLL, that has been established to support authors to continue to write, share stories, and inspire young readers.
Having worked with a number of authors over our 12 years of managing public libraries, GLL have learnt that the path to becoming an established author does not end when the first book is published, and achieving the levels of success required to sustain a full-time literary career is not guaranteed. Being a children's author is more than writing; it requires authors to be able to deliver public events, engage with young readers, and inspire them. On top of this, they must become business owners, understand their brand, and learn to market themselves. This can be a daunting prospect for authors at the beginning of their career.
Becoming an author is competitive, and promotional budgets vary. Through our work in libraries, GLL is aware of the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the reading material provided for children and young people. We understand that representation is important and that reading levels improve when children can see themselves in the books they read. We also know that engagement with reading increases upon being able to meet and engage with authors.
Becoming an author is competitive, and promotional budgets vary. Through our work in libraries, GLL is aware of the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the reading material provided for children and young people. We understand that representation is important and that reading levels improve when children can see themselves in the books they read. We also know that engagement with reading increases upon being able to meet and engage with authors.
As the largest public library operator in the UK, GLL recognises that we are uniquely positioned to support the success of early-career authors by bridging the gap in author training and experience in the areas where we deliver public library services. In 2024 the GLL Literary Foundation was founded to combine the knowledge, expertise, and support of our team of librarians, event managers, our Start Up Programme, and our 100+ libraries.
We exist to:
- support local authors to develop the skills and knowledge that will allow them to reach their full potential,
- encourage greater promotion of diverse and inclusive texts,
- provide children and young people with the opportunity to be inspired to read and write by seeing local authors succeed,
- support publishers of all sizes to promote authors,
- connect local authors and publishers to the libraries at the heart of their communities.
How do we support our authors
The GLL Literary Foundation awards up to 20 annual placements to select authors that meet the eligibility criteria and who reside in the areas where we operate public libraries: Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth, Dudley, and Lincolnshire.
These placements offer:
- A bursary of £750.
- Support and guidance from a local librarian mentor.
- Networking opportunities with local booksellers, publishers, literary festivals, schools and the local community.
- Support, guidance, and a toolkit for developing and delivering author events, helping build their confidence when engaging with a range of audiences.
- Three author events to practice their learning hosted in their local libraries, one with local schools, one with the public, and one online.
- On-demand training sessions available for the duration of the programme with the libraries Start Up team covering Brand Identity, Marketing and Business Planning.
- Access to library business lounges, so that they can work in a supportive environment.
- Attendance at two annual events to bring all of the authors together with national and sector partners, proving opportunities to network with sponsors of the programme and the Foundation.
The GLL Literary Foundation also offers an unlimited number of author placements to authors who meet the eligibility criteria and who reside in the areas where we operate public libraries, but who are not selected for one of the 20 bursary supported placements.
These placements offer:
- On-demand training events accessible online at any time for the duration of the programme including:
- A webinar with a Librarian Mentor on delivering successful author events.
- Brand Identity.
- Marketing.
- Business Planning. - An invitation to a sector networking event.
- Access to work from Business Library spaces.
Our Patron, Joseph Coelho OBE, FRSL, Hon FCLIP
“Becoming established as a children’s author is extremely challenging, it takes so much more than just writing a fantastic book. This new Foundation will help authors promote their work and provide essential training and ongoing support. Libraries are very close to my heart and have played an important role in my journey as an author. I’m therefore delighted to support the GLL Literary Foundation.”
We’re honoured to introduce Joseph Coelho, award-winning performance poet, playwright, children's author, and 2022-2024 Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate, as the GLL Literary Foundation’s Patron.
Joseph grew up in Roehampton, and his first job was as a library assistant for Wandsworth Libraries. His work includes critically acclaimed picture books ‘Luna Loves Library Day’, and ‘If All the World Were’, poetry collections ‘Overheard in a Tower Block’ and 'Smile Out Loud’, and books for older readers ‘The Girl Who Became a Tree’ and ‘The Boy Lost in the Maze’. His work has been awarded the CLPE CLiPPA Poetry Award 2015 and the Independent Bookshop Week Book Award 2019, and has been shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal and UKLA Book Awards. In 2024 Joseph also won the Carnegie Medal for Writing.
Joseph’s work has poetry and performance at its heart, and aims to inspire young people through stories and characters they can recognise. Throughout his career he has highlighted the power of poetry and reading, championing and campaigning for local libraries and spotlights new voices and diversity throughout his work.
Nomination process
All author placements awarded by the GLL Literary Foundation are a celebration of an authors work in their career so far, and recognition that with further support we believe they can reach their full potential.
Nominations for these placements are a crucial step in the process, nominations for support in 2026 will open in the autumn of 2025.
To stay up to date and be notified when nominations reopen, subscribe to our newsletter below.
Nominations for these placements are a crucial step in the process, nominations for support in 2026 will open in the autumn of 2025.
To stay up to date and be notified when nominations reopen, subscribe to our newsletter below.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
