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2026 Writers' Survey

London Writers Centre supports the creative talents and careers of writers, storytellers and poets from London and across the UK. To shape our work over the coming years, we want to hear directly from the people in our community - about your practice, your experience, and what would make the biggest difference to you.

This survey takes around 12 minutes to complete, though you may be faster. Most questions are open - there are no right answers. Your responses will be analysed anonymously and will directly inform our programming.

Please complete the survey by 5 pm on Friday 17 July. Thank you.
Section 1: About Your Writing
A few quick questions to start - just tick or select.
1.Which of the following best describes how you work with words? (Tick all that apply)
2.How would you describe your level of experience?
3.Where are you based?
Section 2: Your Experience as a Writer
These questions are open - write as much or as little as you like.
4.What does being a writer, storyteller or poet look like for you right now?
We're interested in the practical reality - how and where you write, what you're working on, what your creative life involves day to day.
5.What are your ambitions as a writer, storyteller or poet? (Tick all that apply)
We ask because a lot of what we do is shaped by what writers actually want - and we know that's changing. Tick everything that feels true for you.
6.Is there anything else you'd like to say about your ambitions as a writer?
7.Where do you currently find support, community or development as a writer?

This might include organisations, programmes, courses, writing groups, communities, peers, or anything else.
8.What do you find most difficult about being a writer today?

Think about the barriers - practical, financial, emotional, or structural - that make it harder to write, develop, or be recognised as a writer.
Section 3: The Writing Landscape

A few broader questions about what's shaping the writing world.
9.How has being a writer, storyteller or poet changed for you over the last few years - and how has that affected your ambitions?

Think about things like the cost of living in London, changes in publishing, the rise of AI, culture wars, funding cuts to the arts - anything that's shifted the context you're working in or what you want from your creative life.
10.How is artificial intelligence affecting your life as a writer? (Tick all that apply)
11.Is there anything else you'd like to say about AI and your writing life?
12.Have you come across anything recently - an article, interview, podcast, essay, or conversation - that captured something true about what it means to be a writer today?

If so, we'd love to know what it was and why it resonated.
13.How do you currently know or use London Writers Centre?
14.Given how much has shifted for writers, storytellers and poets - in London and beyond - what should London Writers Centre be focusing on?

London is one of the most expensive cities in the world to be a creative. Publishing, funding, technology and the economics of the arts are all in flux. London Writers Centre is a small organisation committed to opening up access to literature and supporting underrepresented voices. We'd like to know what you think matters most right now - what kinds of programmes, opportunities or spaces would make a real difference to you.

15.We’re thinking about some themes that may inform our work going forward. Please tick any that resonate with you.
16.One of our ambitions is to create a dedicated space for writers in London – to learn, be part of a community, network and celebrate. Would you welcome this?
Section 4: About You
17.Your age
18.What is your gender?
19.What is your ethnic background?
Please use your own words or select from the options below.
20.Do you consider yourself disabled?
21.Do you consider yourself to be working class?
22.Do you consider yourself to be on a low income?
23.What proportion of your income comes from writing or writing-related work?
Section 5: Stay in Touch
24.These fields are optional, but we'd love to be able to follow up with some of you.
25.Would you be willing to take part in a follow-up focus group to explore some of these themes in more depth?

We'll only get in touch if you provide your email above.
26.Would you like to receive London Writers Centre's newsletter?

You'll need to provide your email address above so we know where to send it.
Finally...
27.Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

Anything at all - observations, frustrations, suggestions, things that have inspired you.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. Your answers will directly shape how London Writers Centre works with writers, storytellers and poets over the coming years.

If you would like to be added into a draw to win one of four £50 book vouchers or 6 months of Audible credits, please enter your email address into this Google Form: https://forms.gle/eo8WAwn7CVQFDTN26

If you have any questions about this survey, please contact us at hello@londonwriterscentre.org.uk