Our Literature Department promotes contemporary and innovative work from the UK to audiences around the world through the British Council's global network. We work with more than 400 artists in over 70 countries, leading or supporting more than 350 projects including showcases, workshops, festivals, conferences, tours, residencies and virtual projects. The department works extensively with artists and cultural organisations, building skills, capacity and cultural awareness, creating access to audiences and markets, and promoting international collaboration and creative exchange.

We cover a wide range of literature, including the novel, the short story, poetry, drama, performance poetry, crime fiction, literary biography, science fiction, popular science writing, travel writing, writing for children, screenwriting, literary translation, storytelling, literary criticism and the teaching of literature. We have an annual programme of publications that includes the annual New Writing anthology and website, a range of contemporary literature bibliographies, and websites that include literary translation, information about contemporary writers, and an online reading group.

Our current priorities include literature for young people, cultural diversity, creative writing and literary translation.