£400,000 to create new opportunities and develop new audiences in the publishing sector in Wales

Today the Books Council of Wales, with Creative Wales, have announced the details of a £400,000 fund to offer the New Audiences Grant for a second year; to strengthen and diversify the publishing industry in Wales.

Grants of up to £40,000 are available for organisations and new ventures in Wales to:

• develop new authors, illustrators or contributors from culturally diverse backgrounds or under-represented groups from Wales, and provide them with the support and opportunities they may need to be published in Wales;
• target new audiences in Wales by developing original material and/or using media channels or formats currently not funded;
• set up a publishing business or publication that will strengthen and diversify the current offer in Wales.

Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council said: “Last year’s fund enabled us to support more ventures and a wider range of projects than we could have imagined. The funded projects, of which there were more than 40 last year, show what can happen when people take the initiative and come together to collaborate, share experiences and create something new.

Thanks to Welsh Government through Creative Wales, we are able to offer the fund again for a second year and continue to build on this vital area of work.”

Dawn Bowden, Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport said: “I am delighted that the Welsh Government through Creative Wales has been able to provide funding to support the New Audiences Grant again this year. The many different projects which received the funding in 2022 have enriched the world of publishing and writing, providing platforms and opportunities to tell more stories that reflect the whole breadth of Wales and Welsh life. I’m looking forward to seeing even more excellent work in the coming year.”

Details of how to apply are on the Books Council’s website books.wales. The closing date for applications is 31 May 2023.