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: https://rsliterature.org/whats-on/rsl-presents-the-pioneer-prize/

“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 📚❤️

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: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/

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: https://rsliterature.org/whats-on/the-clearing/

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” Oscar Wilde, #BornOnThisDay in 1854 📚❤️

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!

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...

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/...

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...

Absolutely delighted to have received the 'Literature Matters' award from @rsliterature.bsky.social Looking forward to creating some neurodivergent myths!

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 ❤️