Reposted by WGGB Lesley Writers' Guild of Great Britain @writersguildgb.bsky.social · 30/03/2026WGGB members are invited to a Spring social hosted by our London Branch rep Jamie Rhodes It takes place on Weds 8 April (6-8pm) in central London To find out venue and other details and RSVP, email admin@writersguild.org.uk 053
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Writers' Guild of Great Britain @writersguildgb.bsky.social · 05/03/2026Happy #WorldBookDay! www.worldbookday.comworldbookday.comGo all in for World Book DayWorld Book Day 2026 books and book tokens. Inspire kids with free activities, costume ideas, and reading fun for all ages. 023
Reposted by WGGB Lesley The Stage @thestage.co.uk · 02/03/2026Freelancers, this one is for you!📣 Apply now for a free ticket to this year's #FutureOfTheatre conference, in association with Arts Council England ⭐ Find out more 👉https://www.thestage.co.uk/future-freelance-tickets 045
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Writers' Guild of Great Britain @writersguildgb.bsky.social · 27/02/2026At this year's Jennie Lee Lecture, @nationaltheatre.org.uk Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham highlighted the crisis in new writing for theatre and the need for a renewed national commitment to back creative risk, something WGGB supports Our response in full: writersguild.org.uk/jennie-lee-l...writersguild.org.ukJennie Lee lecture 2026: our response - The Writers' Guild of Great BritainIn response to the Jennie Lee lecture, given on 26 February 2026 by National Theatre Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham, WGGB issued the following response: There are troubling new figures … 0910
Reposted by WGGB Lesley gailrenard.bsky.social @gailrenard.bsky.social · 09/02/2026Let's remember no one has ever given us more money and better working conditions without a union going to bat for us. UK writers, your union is @writersguildgb.bsky.social Please join . #HeartUnionsWeek 097
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Trades Union Congress @tuc.org.uk · 16/12/2025🚨BREAKING: Employment Rights Bill passes in the House of Lords and will become law. This is an historic day for working people across the country, and the trade unions who represent them. 313576
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Red Ladder Theatre Company, Leeds @redladder.bsky.social · 15/09/2025Choose hope 032
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Writers' Guild of Great Britain @writersguildgb.bsky.social · 04/07/2025We welcome this new inquiry from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which will look at the provision of original children's TV and video content in the UK + how to ensure high quality TV and video for children can be made + easily found in future committees.parliament.uk/committee/37...committees.parliament.ukNew inquiry: MPs to investigate children’s TV and video content - Committees - UK ParliamentA new inquiry will explore the provision of children’s TV and video content in the UK and what can be done to ensure future generations continue to have access to high-quality British-made progr... 042
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Writers' Guild of Great Britain @writersguildgb.bsky.social · 27/06/2025An inspiring event at the Garden Cinema yesterday, where we heard from three leading screenwriters + WGGB activists, Olivia Hetreed, @gibbzer.bsky.social + @linelangebek.bsky.social They spoke about the art of ‘spinning plates’ - professionally, personally + in the sphere of activism + mentoring 0106
WGGB Lesley @wggblesley.bsky.social · 20/05/2025#scriptskyuk #screenwriting #filmmaking #WritingCommunity We know it's an issue - help us measure the scale... 061
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Matt Gibbs @mattwgibbs.bsky.social · 03/04/2025For all authors, scriptwriters, and writers, for all creatives whatever the medium, copyright protections are vital. Meta has used the works of countless creatives, without consent, to train AI. #DoTheWriteThing and #MakeItFair @writersguildgb.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social @alcs.co.uk 11813
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Simon Guerrier @0tralala.bsky.social · 03/04/2025Here’s @gailrenard.bsky.social from @writersguildgb.bsky.social at the head of the throng #MakeItRight #MetaBookThieves 24311
Reposted by WGGB Lesley The Guardian @theguardian.com · 03/04/2025‘Meta has stolen books’: authors to protest in London against AI trained using ‘shadow library’theguardian.com‘Meta has stolen books’: authors to protest in London against AI trained using ‘shadow library’Writers will gather at the Facebook owner’s King’s Cross office in opposition to its use of the LibGen database to train its AI models Authors and other publishing industry professionals will stage a demonstration outside Meta’s London office today in protest of the organisation’s use of copyrighted books to train artificial intelligence. Novelists Kate Mosse and Tracy Chevalier as well as poet and former Royal Society of Literature chair Daljit Nagra will be among those in attendance outside the company’s King’s Cross office. Continue reading... 251215449
Reposted by WGGB Lesley gailrenard.bsky.social @gailrenard.bsky.social · 03/04/2025I'll be delivering @writersguildgb.bsky.social letter, about Meta's mass theft of writers' work to train AI, to Meta HQ today, along with one of my own. It's a day of action Make a noise - Write to Culture Secretary @lisanandy - Tell Meta they don't have the right to use your books #DoTheWriteThing 1169
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Lauren Beukes @laurenbeukes.com · 03/04/2025OpenAI trained on a massive pirated database trained on six of my books and short stories. Meta's AI trained on a massive pirated database of THIRTY ONE of my works. Just about every author you know has had their life's work scraped and fed into the machine without consent. Please stand with us. 3288140
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Writers' Guild of Great Britain @writersguildgb.bsky.social · 03/04/2025Today we're joining with @societyofauthors.bsky.social outside Meta's offices to protest the use of pirated works to train their AI models Here are some ways you can join the day of action: writersguild.org.uk/do-the-write... #MakeItFairwritersguild.org.uk#DoTheWriteThing - join the day of action - The Writers' Guild of Great BritainFollowing the The Atlantic’s article, which revealed that many UK authors have had their work taken without consent as part of the Library Genesis ‘LibGen’ dataset and used by Meta … 01313
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Writers' Guild of Great Britain @writersguildgb.bsky.social · 27/03/2025Happy #WorldTheatreDay! A day to celebrate theatre and our talented playwright members 0116
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Writers' Guild of Great Britain @writersguildgb.bsky.social · 19/03/2025Following the devastating news about the cancellation of River City, please sign this petition set up by our sister union @equityuk.bsky.social which has reached 6,000 signatures in just 24 hours Please also say when you sign why River City is so important to the writing community in Scotland 057
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Ella Watts is making Camlann Season 2! @gejwatts.bsky.social · 13/02/2025It's World Radio Day! The BBC is making the tragic and bewildering decision to massively slash its audio drama budgets. Please protest that decision by making a short video with #SADattheBBC and tag @writersguildgb.bsky.social 05436
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Tealin @twirlynoodle.com · 12/02/202513 Feb is World Radio Day, and the BBC is planning to cut drama budgets yet further, so I am starting a thread of drawings inspired by BBC radio dramas. (Leaving out worstjourney.com for now as that's its own story.) Hit social media with #SADatTheBBC to get on the radar tomorrow. 17128
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Alan Stafford @staffordquips.bsky.social · 13/02/2025On #WorldRadioDay 2025 let us celebrate BBC's Drama on 3 - and make sure it's still around for #WorldRadioDay 2026. #SADatTheBBC (Save Audio Drama at the BBC) @writersguildgb.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social @equityuk.bsky.social @unesco.org www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo2J...youtube.comSave Drama on 3 – World Radio Day 2025YouTube video by Alan Stafford 057
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Writers' Guild of Great Britain @writersguildgb.bsky.social · 13/02/2025Happy #WorldRadioDay! Send a video message to Director-General Tim Davie + the BBC about why audio drama is so important to you, why you oppose their cuts and why we must Save Audio Drama at the BBC #SADatTheBBC writersguild.org.uk/save-audio-d...writersguild.org.ukSave Audio Drama on World Radio Day - The Writers' Guild of Great BritainLast month, alongside Equity and the Society of Authors, we launched a petition to Save Audio Drama at the BBC, following the corporation’s decision to axe audio drama from Radio … 03623
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Miranda Davies/Emmerson @mirandaemmerson.bsky.social · 13/02/2025For thousands of British writers (including myself) BBC audio drama was where we started, where we learned, where we explored what we could do. It's currently being dismantled, removing one rare and vital ladder for new writers in this country. #SADatTheBBC @writersguildgb.bsky.social 26128
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Dr Andrea Smith @audioandrea.bsky.social · 13/02/2025It's @unesco.org #WorldRadioDay - the perfect time to remind you of the importance of #BBC #RadioDrama. Radio 3 is axing it. Radio 4 has cut most of it. So here's why radio drama is important to me... #SADatTheBBC @writersguildgb.bsky.social @equityuk.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social 11713
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Papatango Theatre Company @papatangotc.bsky.social · 11/02/2025The Papatango Playwrights’ Studio is now open! Create a profile, connect with creatives and producers, and enjoy digital workshops, networking, one-to-one advice and funding opportunities - all at no cost. Sign up: papatango.co.uk/studio #PapatangoStudio #Theatre #Playwriting 02515
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Writers' Guild of Great Britain @writersguildgb.bsky.social · 07/02/2025Next Thurs 13 Feb is World Radio Day, but audio drama is under serious threat Share a short video to tell BBC Director General Tim Davie + the BBC why audio drama is important to you, the wider UK drama ecosystem + why you oppose their cuts More info 🔽 writersguild.org.uk/save-audio-d... 01917
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Kit de Waal @kitdewaal.com · 09/02/2025The Bridport Prize is offering two fully funded writer residencies in Dorset for writers from The Midlands and/or The North West of the UK who are working class and/or 60+ From Sunday 22 to Friday 27 June 2025. Writers must be available for the whole period. Details in link. Please share :)bridportprize.org.ukNew! Fully funded writer residencies Working class and/or 60+ - Bridport Prize 59584
WGGB Lesley @wggblesley.bsky.social · 04/02/2025Hey #theatresky #playwrights #theatre Come and join us for what should be a really interesting session .... 020
WGGB Lesley @wggblesley.bsky.social · 03/02/2025Really looking forward to this session, come and join us..... 010
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Writers' Guild of Great Britain @writersguildgb.bsky.social · 27/01/2025Online joining via our website is currently unavailable as we launch a new website To join WGGB or renew your membership pls contact admin@writersguild.org.uk or 0207 833 0777 Find A Writer updating is also currently unavailable We’ll be back online tomorrow + apologise for any inconvenience 056
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Writers' Guild of Great Britain @writersguildgb.bsky.social · 24/01/2025📢 Write to your MP - ahead of a House of Commons General Debate on the Creative Industries this Monday - to safeguard creative rights in AI + ensure that voices of creatives are heard in the face of powerful lobbying from Big Tech Use the online tool: creativerightsinai.eaction.org.uk/MPcreativerightsinai.eaction.org.ukSafeguard Creative Rights in AI 01712
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Kate Barker @katebarker.bsky.social · 23/01/2025It's pouring with rain and everything seems gloomy. But here's something useful you can do that will take less than 2 minutes. Please click the link in the email below to email your MP, objecting to the government's plan to let AI companies use creatives' work for free. 054
Reposted by WGGB Lesley The Sutton Trust @suttontrust.bsky.social · 23/01/2025General employment law states that an intern is entitled to the national minimum wage, as well as other entitlements, if they are classified as a ‘worker’. However, confusion over the law and a lack of enforcement means some employers are escaping sanction. 112
Reposted by WGGB Lesley The Sutton Trust @suttontrust.bsky.social · 23/01/2025Almost half (47%) of employers say they offer internships paid at least at the minimum wage 💰 The proportion offering internships paid below the minimum wage has increased to 17%, from 11% in 2018. 9% say they offer internships without any compensation. 102
Reposted by WGGB Lesley The Sutton Trust @suttontrust.bsky.social · 23/01/2025There is also a growing emphasis placed on internships as a route into professional careers. 59% of employers surveyed say they now offer internships, up from 48% in 2018. 1/3 of grads who completed an internship say it helped secure their job. 102
Reposted by WGGB Lesley The Sutton Trust @suttontrust.bsky.social · 23/01/2025Among those who did unpaid internships, 40% relied on the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ to fund their role 💳 This is up from 26% in 2018, demonstrating the increasing importance of parental support. 39% were able to live with family or friends for free. Some used their own savings. 102
Reposted by WGGB Lesley The Sutton Trust @suttontrust.bsky.social · 23/01/2025On pay, three fifths (61%) of internships undertaken by recent grads were unpaid or underpaid. Most of these internships are likely illegal under existing regulations, but the system relies on interns themselves reporting non-paying employers 👎 103
Reposted by WGGB Lesley The Sutton Trust @suttontrust.bsky.social · 23/01/2025Today’s report shows that the proportion of graduates who have undertaken an internship has increased by 12 percentage points since 2018, from 39% to 51%. A quarter (27%) have done multiple internships, with 10% doing three or more. 102
Reposted by WGGB Lesley The Sutton Trust @suttontrust.bsky.social · 23/01/2025🚨 NEW: The gap in access to internships between working-class and middle-class graduates has almost doubled since 2018. Our new research reveals a growing gap in access to increasingly important internship routes, with many opportunities under and unpaid 🧵⬇️ 13627
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Lisa Holdsworth @lisaholdsworth.bsky.social · 21/01/2025At a time when audio drama and entertainment is having a moment, it seems short-sighted of the BBC to cut their radio drama slots. Still, that is what they have been quietly doing. Sign the petition opposing their latest cuts. chng.it/V6QyDwkfbpchng.itSign the PetitionSave Audio Drama at the BBC 03426
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Writers' Guild of Great Britain @writersguildgb.bsky.social · 21/01/2025Read what playwright + screenwriter James Graham had to say about writers and AI in @thestage.bsky.social today And WGGB members - come to our online townhall this Thurs on AI to help inform our response to the Gov consultation Check your inbox for details www.thestage.co.uk/news/james-g...thestage.co.ukJames Graham: My work has already been used without my consent to train AIJames Graham has revealed his plays have already been used without his permission to train artificial intelligence, calling it a 'worrying time' for writers. 096
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Writers' Guild of Great Britain @writersguildgb.bsky.social · 16/01/2025WGGB members - come to our AI town hall, Thurs 23 Jan (3-5pm, online) We'll be explaining the Government's proposals on copyright and AI, how this will affect writers and seeking your views to help inform our response to the Gov consultation Invites in your inbox (plus fill in our AI survey too!) 0119
Reposted by WGGB Lesley Prof Dave O'Brien @drdaveobrien.bsky.social · 13/01/2025New Paper! In @mcsjournal.bsky.social Peter Campbell @markrt.bsky.social Danny Leigh & I analyse the impact of class on BFI funding, showing 'the dominance of those from middle class origins throughout each stage of funding' journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... (summary 🧵 coming when I get time!)journals.sagepub.comSage Journals: Discover world-class researchSubscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher. 12712
Reposted by WGGB Lesley The Stage @thestage.co.uk · 15/01/2025Plans to cut audio drama from BBC Radio 3 have been labelled a “devastating loss for writers and actors alike”, with critics calling it the end of the “National Theatre of the airwaves” 👇 www.thestage.co.uk/news/cuts-to...thestage.co.ukCuts to Radio 3 drama will end ‘National Theatre of the airwaves’ – unionsThe most recent commissioning brief for Radio 3 has removed all ‘radio drama slots’, according to Equity, the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain and the Society of Authors 14335
WGGB Lesley @wggblesley.bsky.social · 14/01/2025Remember to confirm your signature via the follow-up email - if you haven't had one, check your junk folder! 022