I want to become a publisher. How can the Books Council of Wales help me?
Several of the Books Council’s Departments will be able to advise you. Your initial contact should be the Publishing Development Department by clicking ‘Contact Us’ above. The Department will refer you to other Departments as necessary. Click on ‘Grants’ above for further details.
I'm a translator who's translated a book. Are there any publishing grants available to me?
The Books Council does not offer grants directly to authors or translators. If you already have a book translated, you should offer it to a publisher, who in turn will be able to apply for a publishing grant. The Council does not offer grants directly towards translation but a publisher can apply for support towards the cost if they wish. You should discuss this with the publisher.
I'm a publisher looking for help in promoting a book. Can you help?
The Books Council can award marketing grants to promote Welsh books and English books from Wales, but only under particular circumstances and with specific targets on what needs to be achieved.
I run a magazine or website dealing with Wales or Welsh affairs. Is there any support you can offer?
Grants for magazines and websites are distributed every four years through a public tendering process managed by a specific panel. Applications for grants cannot be considered outside this programme of grants. Grants are awarded annually for small English-language magazines. Contact the Publishing Development Department to find out more.
How often do the publishing development sub-committee meet?
The sub-committees meet regularly throughout the year – Welsh-language six times, English-language four times. See ‘Deadlines’ section for details.
Who can apply for a grant?
In general, only publishers based in Wales are eligible to receive funding. Publishers outside Wales may be eligible for an Individual Literary Book Grant (ILBG) where the book is of significant Welsh interest, and where the publisher can demonstrate that no other funding is available to them. Wales-based publishers must have established lists or sound plans for establishing a relevant programme, and the ability to sell their output throughout Wales and beyond. Authors may not apply for grants from the Books Council of Wales. See Information for Authors.
The Books Council of Wales also administers grant schemes for booksellers. See Information for Booksellers.
How does the grant application process work?
Grants are allocated to publishers by a sub-committee of experts which meets regularly throughout the year. Deadlines for applications are announced in advance. For further information, see the ‘Deadlines’ section and the individual scheme guidelines .
Does the Books Council of Wales offer loans or grants in support of profitable projects?
In general, publishing grants are made towards expected deficits. The Books Council of Wales does not offer loans.
Is the Books Council of Wales the only source of funding for publishers?
The Books Council of Wales is the main source of funding for both general and literary publications in Welsh. Other funding organisations to which publishers may make application are:
Department of Education & Skills
This is the body which is responsible for commissioning Welsh-language and bilingual educational material for the National Curriculum.
Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC)
This body has a publishing programme aimed at schools and colleges.
Arts Council of Wales
ACW offers grants for training, international exchange (through its agency, Wales Arts International), cross-artform activity, participatory projects, cultural diversity and some other areas, but not for production costs associated with publishing.
Grants and other support are also available for small businesses generally. See also below: How can I become a publisher?
Does the Books Council of Wales offer support to publishers other than through its grant schemes?
All publishers in Wales may make use of the Books Council of Wales’s editing, marketing, design, wholesaling and distribution services. Click here for full details.
How can I become a publisher?
The Publishers Association and the Independent Publishers Guild offer information (much of it free of charge) and services to those who wish to establish and develop their business or to pursue a career in the publishing trade. Cultural Enterprise offers business advice to cultural and artistic groups and companies in Wales. Information about grants, training and other forms of support for small businesses is available at www.businessconnect.org.uk.
Publishing Wales represents all publishers in Wales and Cwlwm Cyhoeddwyr also represents Welsh-language publishers in particular.
