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Royal Society of Literature

@rsliterature.bsky.social
1K followers 342 following 29 posts

The RSL celebrates and nurtures reading and writing of all kinds. We're a charity that believes literature is for everyone. ✨ 200 years young. 🌟

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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
We are now taking public recommendations for our 2026 Internatinal Writers programme 🌍 Send us your suggestions before Monday 4 May: rsliterature.org/rsl-international-…
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ALCS @alcs.co.uk · 14/01/2026
We’re delighted to announce this year’s longlist for the @rsliterature.bsky.social V.S Pritchett Short Story Prize! Congratulations to everyone listed, the winner will be announced at the #ALCSAwards. Read here: www.alcs.co.uk/news/longlist-for-for-v-s-pritchett-short-story-prize-2026-announced/
Graphic saying "The V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize.
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
Congratulations to the three RSL Fellows recognised in the 2026 King’s New Year Honours list, marking their outstanding contributions to literature and the arts: Ekow Eshun OBE, Andrew McMillan MBE and Dame Meera Syal.
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Giles St Aubyn Awards for Non-Fiction: £2,500 - Grace Jackson for ‘Beautiful Island: A Journey Through Time in Taiwan’ £5,000 - Brigid Lowe for ‘Shiver: The Lessons of the Lochs’ £10,000 - Rogelio Luque-Lora for ‘LAND: A History of Belonging’
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Now announcing the winners of our 2025 Literature Matters Awards! Find out more about this year's winning projects, selected by judges Hannah Khalil, Kristen Vida Alfaro, and Steve Cook: rsliterature.org/rsl-literature-mat…
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Today the Royal Society of Literature is delighted to announce our 2025 RSL International Writers! This life-long honour recognises the contribution of writers across the globe to literature in English, and the power of literature to transcend borders to bring people together.
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Time is nearly up to submit to the 2026 RSL Ondaatje Prize, awarded to a distinguished work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry, evoking the spirit of a place. Send in your work by 5pm tomorrow for your chance to win £10,000: rsliterature.org/rsl-ondaatje-prize
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
“I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it, until it begins to shine.” Emily Dickinson, #BornOnThisDay in 1830 📚❤️
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Today is your LAST CHANCE to submit to the 2026 RSL Christopher Bland Prize, awarded to a debut novelist or non-fiction writer first published in any form aged 50 or over. Submit by 5pm this evening: rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bl…
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
The Royal Society of Literature is thrilled to announce its new President is Elif Shafak. Shafak is an award-winning British-Turkish novelist and storyteller, and author of 21 books, 13 of which are novels. Her works have been translated into 58 languages.
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
A night to remember British Library 🏆 We’re so grateful for everyone who made the launch of our new Pioneer Prize so special, including our panel of wonderful speakers. Learn more about our awards and prizes: rsliterature.org/join-in/awards-and…
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
“To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour.” William Blake, #BornOnThisDay in 1757 📚❤️
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Lawrence Warner @lawrencewarner.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Hope to see you there —Maureen is the best and I’m delighted to be helping celebrate her on 30 November @britishlibrary.bsky.social @rsliterature.bsky.social
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Laura Greenfield @lauragreenfield.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
On Sun 30th Nov we will be celebrating the @rsliterature.bsky.social Pioneer Prize, so generously founded and funded by Bernardine Evaristo. The inaugural winner is Maureen Duffy. Join us @britishlibrary.bsky.social or online to celebrate her work: events.bl.uk/events/rsl-p...
events.bl.uk
RSL presents: The Pioneer Prize | British Library
Join us for the launch of the RSL Pioneer Prize, a new initiative spotlighting and celebrating writers who have been trailblazers in their field.Acknowledg
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
We’re holding an event to mark this year’s RSL Pioneer Prize and you’re invited! Swipe to see the line-up 👉 Tickets are available now: events.bl.uk/events/rsl-presents-th…
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Some very special moments from our Bourdain Supper Club collaboration with Honey & Co and Bloomsbury Publishing 🍽️ Don’t miss out on some of our last events of the year - tickets available now: rsliterature.org/what-is-on
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
We’ve got great news for writers across the UK and RoI – the 2026 RSL Ondaatje Prize is now taking submissions! 🥳 Applications are open until 5pm on 12 December 2025. Apply now: rsliterature.org/rsl-ondaatje-prize
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Something very exciting has arrived at our office here in Somerset House 👀 Join us for our Pioneer Prize event at the British Library on 30 November to honour Maureen Duffy's impact and legacy: rsliterature.org/whats-on/rsl-prese…
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” Ursula K. Le Guin, #BornOnThisDay in 1929 📚❤️
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
We’re delighted to welcome A.L. Kennedy, Louise Kennedy and Derek Owusu to our judging panel for the 2026 Christopher Bland Prize. The award is now open for entries until 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025: rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bl…
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
Join our four RSL Jerwood Poets – Roseanne Watt, Scott McKendry, clare e. potter and Karen McCarthy Woolf – at this year’s Push the Boat Out Festival for a premiere of new collaborations co-conceived with musician, Kathryn Williams: rsliterature.org/whats-on/the-clear…
rsliterature.org
The Clearing - Royal Society of Literature
Saturday 22 November, 19:30-20:30, Push the Boat Out Festival, The Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh. General admission: £15 + booking fee | Concession: £12 + booking fee Join this year’s four RSL Jerwood Poets – Roseanne Watt, Scott McKendry, clare e. potter and Karen McCarthy Woolf – for a premiere of new collaborations co-conceived with musician, Kathryn […]
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” Oscar Wilde, #BornOnThisDay in 1854 📚❤️
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
We had an amazing time watching a performance of Lifers, a new show presented by Synergy Theatre Project. Exploring the reality of ageing in prison, Lifers was written by Evan Placey, who received our 2018 Literature Matters Award in support of the project. Now showing at Southwark Playhouse!
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
The 2026 Christopher Bland Prize is now open for entry 🏆 Closing 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025: rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bl…
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Join us for the launch of the RSL Pioneer Prize, a new initiative which will spotlight and celebrate writers who have been trailblazers in their field. 📅 Sunday 30 November, 2:30pm 📍 The British Library/Online 🎟️ £15 in-person/£5 online, FREE for RSL Members/Fellows ow.ly/uVRX50X3AwC
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
Last week we had the pleasure of presenting Richard Ovenden with this year’s Benson medal at a very special celebration with Bodleian Libraries. Richard was joined by RSL chair Ruth Scurr and director Laura Greenfield for the UK premiere of The Librarians Film a new documentary by Kim A. Snyder.
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
“A little credulity helps one on through life very smoothly.” Elizabeth Gaskell, #BornOnThisDay in 1810 📚 ❤️
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Laura Greenfield @lauragreenfield.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Last night this powerful film had its UK premiere, hosted by @bodleian.ox.ac.uk, with courageous librarians like @librarianjones.com there too. Alongside we awarded @richove.bsky.social the @rsliterature.bsky.social Benson Medal. What a privilege to share the stage with them. See it if you can.
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Richard Ovenden @richove.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
An incredible evening @bodleian.ox.ac.uk: I was deeply honoured to receive the @rsliterature.bsky.social's Benson Medal from Ruth Scurr, then hosted a screening of 'The Librarians', the powerful doc @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social featuring courageous librarians @librarianjones.com & Julie Miller!
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Our Giles St Aubyn Awards for Non-Fiction remain open for submission until 5pm on Monday 22 September. Apply online today for your chance to win a prize of up to £10,000 to support your first commissioned work of non-fiction: rsliterature.org/rsl-giles-st...
rsliterature.org
RSL Giles St Aubyn Awards for Non-Fiction - Royal Society of Literature
RSL Giles St Aubyn Awards for Non-Fiction Three annual awards — of £10,000, £5,000 and £2,500 — are available for authors engaged on their first commissioned works of non-fiction. The RSL Giles St Aub...
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Congratulations to the winner of the inaugural RSL Pioneer Prize, Maureen Duffy 🎉 Duffy received news of her award earlier this month when Evaristo visited her at home. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/9ZB_AHdm4ts?...
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Laura Greenfield @lauragreenfield.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
A very special day today, when my lovely former colleagues @theul.bsky.social have digitised the founding documents of @rsliterature.bsky.social to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the signing of our Royal Charter. My favourite line: "We have become a People of Readers"
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Richard Ovenden @richove.bsky.social · 14/09/2025
What a fine gesture from the President of @rsliterature.bsky.social to fund an important new Prize from her own prize money. Bravo Bernie! observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk
Evaristo’s new prize for older female writers closes book...
The award for women writers over 60 will help redress disparities in grants
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Laura Greenfield @lauragreenfield.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
The incredible Bernardine Evaristo has used her @womensprize.bsky.social Outstanding Contribution Award to create a new @rsliterature.bsky.social Prize. For the next decade, we will be celebrating pioneering women writers, starting with Maureen Duffy www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
theguardian.com
91-year-old author Maureen Duffy wins Pioneer prize launched by Bernardine Evaristo
The RSL president has set up a new literary award for female writers over 60 using the £100,000 she herself won through the Women’s prize
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Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
The RSL today marks the 200th anniversary of its incorporation with a Royal Charter ✒️ In celebration, Cambridge University Library @theul.bsky.social has digitised a selection of archive materials which they are making public today for the first time: cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/...
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Lorraine Mariner @lorrainemariner.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
On Wed 19 Feb, 6.30pm, I’m taking part in a very special @rsliterature.bsky.social event at The London Library honouring and remembering Fleur Adcock, a poet who has meant so much to me. Rachel Long will chair & Wendy Cope will also be on the panel. Tickets here: rsliterature.org/whats-on/rsl...
rsliterature.org
RSL Remembers: Fleur Adcock - Royal Society of Literature
Wednesday 19 February, 6:30pm, The London Library. Free for RSL Members and Fellows and London Library Members (If you are a London Library Member, please use the Public Tickets button below and enter...
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Lizzie Milton @lizziemilton.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
Absolutely delighted to have received the 'Literature Matters' award from @rsliterature.bsky.social Looking forward to creating some neurodivergent myths!
Orange and white text against a light orange background. It reads: Lizzie Milton. Neuromyths: Folklore from the Margins. £2860.
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Fiona McKay @fionamckay.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
Thrilled to be on the Longlist for the V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize @rsliterature.bsky.social ❤️ This story started out in @smokelong.bsky.social Fitness - thanks to Elisabeth Ingram Wallace❤️ And thanks to @nivenaudrey.bsky.social for feedback on the penultimate draft ❤️
alcs.co.uk
Longlist announced for V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize 2025
The V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize is an annual award for unpublished short stories between 2,000 to 4,000 words in length.
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