About Drylam Ltd
Systems for Writers. Support for All.
Drylam Ltd is an Author Development Platform built to help writers understand where they are, what they need, and what comes next.
Writing a book involves far more than writing.
There are ideas to develop. Habits to build. Manuscripts to shape. Feedback to navigate. Professionals to find. Decisions to make. Audiences to understand. And, eventually, a writing life or author career to continue developing.
But writers are often presented with individual pieces of advice, services and opportunities without a clear understanding of which one they actually need next.
Drylam exists to make that journey easier to understand.
What is Author Development?
We think of Author Development as the process of helping a writer move from where they are now towards where they want their writing to go.
That journey isn't identical for everyone.
A writer beginning their first project needs something very different from someone editing a finished manuscript.
A writer preparing to publish faces different questions from someone trying to build momentum after their first book.
That's why Drylam works around six stages of Author Development:
Discover
Understanding your ideas, interests and the kind of writer you want to become.
Define
Giving your project direction, structure and purpose.
Develop
Building the manuscript, your writing practice and the skills needed to keep progressing.
Prepare
Strengthening the work, gathering feedback and preparing it for its next stage.
Position
Understanding how the work and the author will meet readers, opportunities and the wider market.
Progress
Continuing to develop after publication, completion or a major milestone.
You don't have to move through those stages perfectly.
You just need to understand where you are now and what deserves your attention next.
How Drylam Supports Writers
Drylam brings different forms of Author Development support together within one platform.
Author Development Assessment
Our free assessment helps writers identify their current stage, understand their primary development needs and get clearer on what to focus on next.
Indie Author System
Structured Author Development programmes for writers who want greater clarity, systems, accountability and support around their work.
Writers Workshops
In-person writing sessions designed to give writers protected time to work, develop ideas and write alongside other people.
Currently running in Liverpool and Manchester.
The Unfinished Book Club
A small-group space where writers can bring unfinished work, read part of it aloud and receive thoughtful, structured feedback.
The Author's Room
Our ongoing membership for writers who want practical resources, accountability, live sessions and regular support to keep their work moving.
Drylam Marketplace
A way for writers to find professional support when they need it, including editors, illustrators, designers and other author services.
The Formula
Conversations, ideas and practical thinking around writing, publishing and Author Development.
Together, these aren't intended to create one prescribed route.
They're there so writers can access the right kind of support at the right stage.
What Drylam Isn't
Drylam is not a publishing house.
Drylam previously operated within publishing, but the company has since developed into an Author Development Platform.
We do not acquire publishing rights to writers' work.
We do not require writers to follow a particular publishing route.
And we don't believe that every writer needs the same services, professionals or definition of success.
A writer may ultimately pursue:
traditional publishing;
independent publishing;
hybrid opportunities;
writing for personal or professional reasons;
or simply the completion of a project that matters to them.
Drylam's role is to help the writer develop, not to decide the destination for them.
Our Approach
Clarity before complexity.
Writers shouldn't be encouraged to buy services they don't yet need.
Development before destination.
Publication can be an important goal, but it isn't the only measure of progress.
Practical support.
Advice is most useful when a writer can actually do something with it.
Independence.
The writer remains in control of their work, decisions and creative direction.
Community without gatekeeping.
You do not need to be published, represented or professionally established to take your writing seriously.
Progress over perfection.
Author Development is ongoing. The next useful step matters more than having everything figured out.
Why Drylam Exists
Writing is often presented as a solitary pursuit.
But the challenges surrounding it rarely are.
Writers need information.
They need feedback.
They need time.
They need accountability.
Sometimes they need professional expertise.
Sometimes they simply need somebody to help them understand what the next step actually is.
Drylam was built around the idea that those things should not exist as disconnected pieces.
A writer should be able to enter one ecosystem, understand where they are and find support that makes sense for that stage of their development.
That's what we're building.
Who's Behind Drylam?
Founded by James Francis
Drylam Ltd was founded by James Francis and began with a focus on helping writers navigate the world surrounding their work.
As Drylam developed, one problem became increasingly clear: writers were regularly being offered answers before anyone had helped them properly understand the question.
Editing.
Publishing.
Marketing.
Platform building.
Accountability.
Community.
Professional support.
All of these can be valuable but not necessarily at the same time.
That thinking led Drylam to evolve into the Author Development Platform it is today.
James continues to lead the development of Drylam, its programmes, partnerships, workshops and wider Author Development ecosystem.
Built in Liverpool. Designed for Writers Everywhere.
Drylam is based in Liverpool, with a growing physical Author Development community across Liverpool, Manchester and the wider North West.
But much of the Drylam platform is designed to support writers wherever they are.
Through digital programmes, resources, assessments, membership, professional services and online activity, Drylam's Author Development ecosystem can extend far beyond the cities where our physical workshops take place.
Liverpool is our home.
Author Development is bigger than geography.
Drylam at Work
Writing beyond the manuscript
Drylam also works with organisations through Drylam at Work.
Using storytelling, writing and structured reflection, Drylam at Work creates workshops designed to help teams communicate, think, reflect and connect differently.
Sessions are available for organisations in the UK and through live online delivery internationally.
Partnerships
A small section:
Working with organisations that support writers
Drylam works with selected businesses, organisations and partners that can contribute meaningfully to the Author Development journey.
We believe partnerships should do more than place a logo in front of an audience.
The strongest collaborations create useful opportunities, resources, experiences and support for writers.
Not sure where you are?
You don't need to know which programme, service or type of support you need before coming to Drylam.
That's exactly why we created the Author Development Assessment.
Answer eight questions and get clearer on:
where you are;
what you need;
and
what comes next.
Free · 8 questions · Around 2 minutes