This section explores how writers and literature professionals can realize their full potential by making the most of their greatest resource - themselves. 

Creating and supporting new writing and literature is enormously fulfilling but making a living in this sector can be a challenge so investing in yourself and your professional development makes sense.

Professional development isn’t just about doing some training - it includes anything and everything that allows you to gain new skills and knowledge.  How you do this depends on you, your situation and how you learn best. 

Learning from someone with expertise and experience in your field through the process of mentoring has become increasingly popular in recent years. Read our guide to mentoring for creative writers to find out more about mentoring and whether it would be useful for you.

You can read about many of the different ways you can develop yourself professionally in our new series of specially commissioned how did I get here? features.  Read more.

If you are involved in supporting the professional development of others, you’ll find our guide to evaluating one-to-one continuing professional development is packed with practical information and ideas.  

One of our key objectives is to support the development of professional development planning within the literature sector.  Over the last couple of years, we have successfully piloted a professional development planning service and we’re now working to help build and support a network of providers so that one-to-one professional development planning sessions with skilled guides are available across the UK. Find out more about Professional Development Planning.