We envision a world in which there are no barriers to reading or storytelling, where it is not a privilege but a powerful form of imagination building, escapism and self-care for all.
Founded by Sofia Akel in 2020 - it’s our fifth anniversary!! - the Free Books Campaign is a non-profit dedicated to bridging the gap in access to literature for all ages. We celebrate storytelling in all it’s forms, from theatre to TV, manga to gaming and more. We’ve since donated over 12,000 brand new books by authors of colour across the UK & Ireland, launched our entirely-free annual literature festival and established partnerships with international brands and cultural institutions to widen access to storytelling in its various forms.
Access to literature is a systemic issue. Authors of colour continue to be underrepresented and under-resourced in publishing - from book deal advances to marketing support. This not only impacts authors’ writing careers, but it also impacts readers who miss out on the chance to discover the vast array of incredible literature that writers from all over the world have to offer.
Within our schools, less than 1% of students at GCSE level study a book by an author of colour (Runnymede Trust & Penguin Books). Outside of school, our libraries are quietly disappearing. In the last ten years, over 800 libraries have been permanently closed, widening the gap in access to literature. With many people navigating financial hardship, our mission to bridge this divide grows even more urgent.
