Funding is also available for publishers to commission authors, employ creative editors and marketing officers, and for some book marketing initiatives.
English-language grants available
Here are details of the grants available for Welsh-language publishing.
Individual Literary Books Grants
These are grants to support the production of literary or cultural books of Welsh interest or by writers living in Wales, for adults or children.
Individual Literary Books Grants Guidelines and Conditions (PDF)
Revenue Publishing Grants
These are block grants to support the literary publishing programmes of publishers based in Wales. The grant is applied for every five years. A publisher must have robust administration and a significant amount of experience and have published books under the Individual Literary Book Grants Scheme before being eligible to apply to become a Programme Grant Publisher. The next funding round will be for the 2032-37 funding period and the application process for that round will take place during 2035–36.
Authors and Illustrators Grants
Publishers apply for these grants to enable them to offer advances on royalties or pay fees to writers or illustrators to create good quality work of broad appeal. This grant is not awarded directly to authors or illustrators.
Authors and Illustrators Grants Guidelines and Conditions (PDF)
Marketing Grants
Grants for publishers to support the promotion of individual titles or groups of titles that have strong market appeal and have high sales potential.
Supported Posts Grants
Established publishers can apply for this grant for contributions towards the employment of in-house editors and marketing staff. These grants are allocated through a tendering process that runs in parallel with the tender for the Revenue Programme Grants (above) The next funding round will be for the 2026–30 funding period and the application process for that round will take place during 2025–26.
Small Literary Magazines Grants
Grants to support small-scale publishing initiatives and to encourage new creative talent from Wales. Applications are reviewed once a year. The deadline for applications for small magazines grants is usually May.
Small Literary Magazines Grants Guidelines and Conditions (PDF)
Small Marketing Activities Grants
Small grants towards the promotion of individual literary titles or groups of titles. This scheme is to fund small launches and marketing activities.
Small Marketing Activities Grants Guidelines and Conditions (PDF)
How do I apply for an English-language publishing grant?
To apply for a grant, publishers need to submit an application to the independent Publishing Development Subcommittee (English-language) which meets four times a year to consider the applications received and to award funding. The Subcommittee dates and deadlines are published in advance.
Subcommittee dates and deadlines
Find out how subcommittees support our work
Application forms are available from the English-language Publishing Development Officer at english.grants@books.wales. Please ensure that you have read and understood the grant guidelines and conditions before submitting your application.
If you need any advice on how to apply for a publishing grant, please contact our Publishing Development Department directly, particularly if you are a new publisher starting out.
You can reach us at english.grants@books.wales (Opens email) to discuss English-language publications or grantiau.cymraeg@llyfrau.cymru (Opens email) to discuss Welsh-language publications.
Please note that grant applications directly from individuals are not eligible. If you’re an author, illustrator or designer looking for funding, you need to secure the support of a publisher who in turn will submit an application to the Books Council.
What other support is available to publishers?
Here you can find out about other forms of support available:
From time to time, we receive additional funding to run standalone projects. You can find details of new tendering and funding opportunities linked to additional projects on the New Funding Opportunities and Tenders page.