The Book Whisperers CIC has continued its mission throughout the financial year October 2024 to September 2025 to support, encourage, and empower writers within our community, particularly those whose voices are often underrepresented. Our activities have focused on promoting literacy, fostering a supportive writing environment, and enabling individuals to share their personal and creative stories through writing and publication. We continue to run two regular monthly online meetings for our members: BIG VOICES, which focuses on author marketing and promotion, and WRITERS SURGERY, where members can seek advice on writing, publishing, and the author journey. These sessions provide valuable peer support, guidance, and encouragement to writers of all backgrounds. During the year, The Book Whisperers CIC supported approximately 70 individuals to write, edit, publish, and market their books. A significant proportion of this work was undertaken with adult survivors of childhood abuse in care through our ongoing collaboration with our partnership organisation. Through writing, coaching, editing, and publication support, participants have used storytelling as a means of healing, self-expression, and empowerment whilst helping raise wider awareness of their experiences. We have continued to develop our online community platform by adding featured authors, articles, resources, newsletters, and support materials for both emerging and established writers. These improvements have helped writers feel more connected and supported throughout their publishing journey. Alongside our ongoing relationship with the Secret Book Swap, we developed new partnerships with organisations supporting independent authors and readers. During the year, we were involved in the planning, development, and promotion of the Literary Escape Festival, helping support the launch of this new series of independent author festivals – and discussing becoming a sponsor. We also began working with the organisers of the Saor Anam Festival, contributing to discussions around bibliotherapy, creative writing, and wellbeing, and committing to support the festival as a sponsor. Throughout 2024–2025, The Book Whisperers CIC remained committed to using the written word as a tool for community engagement, personal development, recovery, and social change, providing practical publishing support, professional development opportunities, and emotional wellbeing benefits to those we serve.

The stakeholders of The Book Whisperers CIC can include but are not limited to 1. Local community members and visitors, 2. Local and international writers and authors 3. Participants in the community projects and events organised by the company 4. Schools and community groups that work with the company 5. Staff, contractors and volunteers of the company 6. Funders who support the company's activities The company has consulted its stakeholders in various ways throughout the financial year. We continue to hold two online member meetings each month via Zoom, which all subscription members are invited to attend. These meetings focus primarily on writing, publishing, and author marketing, whilst also providing opportunities for members to engage directly with the company and each other. We also invite guest speakers to these events where appropriate to discuss topics relevant to writers, authors, and the publishing industry. The company has continued to engage with local and international writers and authors through its online community platform, newsletters, social media channels, and publication services. These channels provide ongoing opportunities for stakeholders to share feedback and help shape the support services offered by the company. During the year, representatives of The Book Whisperers CIC engaged with stakeholders involved in the planning and development of the Literary Escape Festival and the Saor Anam Festival. These discussions included independent authors, readers, publishing professionals, wellbeing practitioners, and community organisations. Through these conversations, the company gathered valuable feedback regarding the challenges faced by independent authors, the importance of accessible publishing support, and the growing role of writing and storytelling in supporting mental health and wellbeing. Feedback from these consultations reinforced the need for greater marketing support for authors, increased opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, and stronger community networks connecting writers with readers and publishing professionals. In response to feedback received from members and stakeholders, The Book Whisperers CIC has continued to develop additional marketing support and services for authors. This has included creating author marketing strategies, expanding opportunities for peer-to-peer support, and developing resources to help new authors navigate the challenges of book promotion and audience building. Overall, The Book Whisperers CIC values the input and feedback of its stakeholders and strives to engage with them in a meaningful and constructive way.

Two active directors were paid a total of £54,794.75 in the period 1st October 2024 to 30th September 2025 which is detailed in the accounts (under director’s remuneration) for work carried out in the year, in addition to employer pension contributions. The individual details are as follows: - M. Thomson £43,980 (salary & employer’s pension) - L. Taylor £10,814.75 (salary & employer’s pension)

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration