Royal Society of Literature

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!

The 2026 Christopher Bland Prize is now open for entry 🏆

Closing 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/

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

https://ow.ly/uVRX50X3AwC

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.

“A little credulity helps one on through life very smoothly.”

Elizabeth Gaskell, #BornOnThisDay in 1810 📚 ❤️

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.

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!

Thank you for the support Terri! 📚❤️

Thanks for the love Elleke! 📚❤️

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...

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...

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?...

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"

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...

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

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...

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/...

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...

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...

Orange and white text against a light orange background. It reads: Lizzie Milton. Neuromyths: Folklore from the Margins. £2860.

Absolutely delighted to have received the 'Literature Matters' award from @rsliterature.bsky.social

Looking forward to creating some neurodivergent myths!

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.

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 ❤️