Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow

About this service

This is a free, confidential service to help you improve your writing skills. Students of any discipline, at any level of study (from undergraduate to postgraduate) – and staff – are welcome to book a session.  

The Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow is a professional, published author whose role is to help you strengthen your writing.

A one-to-one tutorial can help you:

• Plan your study time.  

• Focus your reading for essay, dissertation or thesis writing. 

• Express your ideas more clearly. 

• Answer grammar and punctuation questions. 

• Discover reading to improve your writing and editing skills.

• Increase your writing skills with the aim of improving your grades.

• Improve any academic writing – essays, reports, theses, dissertations, book chapters.  

Sessions are for 50 minutes and mostly take place on campus in the Brynmor Jones Library.

Book an appointment

Appointments are available during term time starting in September. 

RLF Writing Fellow appointments are held on-campus in the Brynmor Jones Library. When you book an appointment you can discuss your needs and will receive directions as appropriate. 

Work you wish to be discussed can also be emailed ahead of the appointment. 

Limited online appointments

Although this is designed to be a face-to-face service, the Writing Fellow can accept a small number of online appointments. Please only request these if you cannot physically make it onto campus and please take note of the proviso below.

UK-based students only

Please note these appointments are an independent service provided by the RLF which, as a small UK charity, has constraints on its work hence the online version this year is only available to students currently in the UK.

English for academic purposes (EAP)

The RLF service is intended to help native (or near-native) speakers of English improve their essay-writing skills. It is not suitable for speakers of English as a second language, unless they are already highly proficient in the language. If you are an international student and need help with your English language, please access the MyEnglish International service. 

What students say…  

“…my marks have gone up considerably. I have gone from an average of 58 to 72 this year, I cannot thank you enough.” 

- Undergraduate

“I can't explain how helpful it was, not only for cutting words but for my own mental state!” 

- Undergraduate

“I just want you to know how much I appreciate all the help you’ve given me over the past year. I genuinely feel like my writing has improved so much which I think is rare for a lot of people this late on. It has really helped having someone outside of the course to talk through my ideas…”

- Postgraduate 

"It was the most real, honest, and helpful feedback I've ever had!"

- Business student

Frequently asked questions

Appointment format

Appointments are delivered on campus in the Brynmor Jones Library and consist of:

• A one-to-one consultation, lasting 50 minutes, to drill down into your writing

• Advice unique to your specific requirement 

• Completely confidential support 

You are encouraged to email an extract of your work in before your appointment to allow the Fellow to prepare.

What your session might cover

• Structure and punctuation 

• Writing with clarity 

• Rewriting and editing 

• Planning and time management

• Tackling the word count 

• Critical thinking, paraphrasing and referencing 

 

What NOT to expect from an appointment

RLF Writing Fellows are unable to comment on Creative Writing coursework, proof-read completed material, or undertake EAP tuition.