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 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during term time, starting on the 16th of September 2025. 

Most sessions are in-person and held in the Brynmor Jones Library on campus but you may enquire about an online session if you cannot travel (however, you must be in the UK at the time). 

To enquire or book your online session, email: lydia.marchant@rlfeducation.org.uk  

 

English for academic purposes (EAP)

The RLF service is intended to help proficient speakers of English to improve their essay-writing skills. If you are an international student and need help with your English language, please email languageunit@hull.ac.uk.   



The RLF Writing Fellow 

 Lydia MarchantLydia Marchant is a writer for stage, screen and audio. She was one of eight writers selected for the BBC’sWriters Academy 19/20 led by John Yorke and since has written for Holby City and multiple episodes of Casualty and EastEnders. She co-wrote romcom Never Too Late (Vertigo Films) with Simon Warne, for Channel 5's Play For Today anthology series, which will be aired in late 2025.  

Her debut full-length play MUMSY, about parenthood on a 0 hour contract, premiered in at Hull Truck Theatre and is published by Nick Hern Books. (‘Brilliant bittersweet comedy about the family way’ - The Guardian ****).  She is also under commission with Hull Truck Theatre, developing a new play about women’s Sunday League football.  

She is currently writing for Wondery’s Spotlight Award-winning British Scandal podcast, presented by Alice Levine and Matt Ford. She has previously written for new Wondery showbiz series Terribly Famous. She also worked on an original 8-part podcast, Last Soviet, presented by NSYNC’s Lance Bass (‘impressive and interesting’ - The Guardian).   

Lydia has a Distinction in MA Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and has previously taken part in writers programmes at Leeds Playhouse, Soho Theatre, Writing Squad, National Theatre, Hampstead Theatre, Royal Court and BFI. She has taught at UAL, York University and Hull University and runs the Introduction To Playwriting course at Hull Truck Theatre.  


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.