Grantee profile

Spread the Word

Spread the Word is a writer development agency in London. It was established in 1995 by Bernadine Evaristo MBE and Ruth Borthwick. It aims to make British literature more inclusive with low-cost or free development opportunities, fostering writing talent from across the diversity of London. Programme highlights include City of Stories, the agency’s partnership with local libraries to expand, place-based access to literature and creative writing workshops; the London Writers Network and Awards aimed at getting diverse writers agented and published; and the Life Writing and London Short Story Prizes. Spread the Word also seeks to expand the evidence base around inclusion and equity in the UK publishing industry through commissioned research, which include the “Rethinking Diversity” report.