Royal Society of Literature
@rsliterature.bsky.social
The RSL celebrates and nurtures reading and writing of all kinds. We're a charity that believes literature is for everyone. ✨ 200 years young. 🌟
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: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-literature-matters-awards/
Find out more about this year's winning projects, selected by judges Hannah Khalil, Kristen Vida Alfaro, and Steve Cook: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-literature-matters-awards/
December 15, 2025 at 5:15 PM
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: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-literature-matters-awards/
Find out more about this year's winning projects, selected by judges Hannah Khalil, Kristen Vida Alfaro, and Steve Cook: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-literature-matters-awards/
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.
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.
December 12, 2025 at 5:38 PM
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.
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.
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: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-ondaatje-prize/
Send in your work by 5pm tomorrow for your chance to win £10,000: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-ondaatje-prize/
December 11, 2025 at 12:01 PM
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: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-ondaatje-prize/
Send in your work by 5pm tomorrow for your chance to win £10,000: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-ondaatje-prize/
“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 📚❤️
Emily Dickinson, #BornOnThisDay in 1830 📚❤️
December 10, 2025 at 5:25 PM
“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 📚❤️
Emily Dickinson, #BornOnThisDay in 1830 📚❤️
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: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/
Submit by 5pm this evening: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/
December 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/
Submit by 5pm this evening: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/
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.
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.
December 4, 2025 at 9:00 PM
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.
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.
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: https://rsliterature.org/join-in/awards-and-prizes/
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: https://rsliterature.org/join-in/awards-and-prizes/
December 2, 2025 at 5:01 PM
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: https://rsliterature.org/join-in/awards-and-prizes/
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: https://rsliterature.org/join-in/awards-and-prizes/
“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 📚❤️
William Blake, #BornOnThisDay in 1757 📚❤️
November 28, 2025 at 5:01 PM
“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 📚❤️
William Blake, #BornOnThisDay in 1757 📚❤️
Reposted by Royal Society of Literature
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
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...
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
events.bl.uk
November 17, 2025 at 10:03 PM
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
Reposted by Royal Society of Literature
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...
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
events.bl.uk
November 17, 2025 at 8:58 PM
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...
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: https://events.bl.uk/events/rsl-presents-the-pioneer-prize
Tickets are available now: https://events.bl.uk/events/rsl-presents-the-pioneer-prize
November 18, 2025 at 12:26 PM
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: https://events.bl.uk/events/rsl-presents-the-pioneer-prize
Tickets are available now: https://events.bl.uk/events/rsl-presents-the-pioneer-prize
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: https://rsliterature.org/what-is-on/
Don’t miss out on some of our last events of the year - tickets available now: https://rsliterature.org/what-is-on/
November 18, 2025 at 12:26 PM
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: https://rsliterature.org/what-is-on/
Don’t miss out on some of our last events of the year - tickets available now: https://rsliterature.org/what-is-on/
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: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-ondaatje-prize/
Applications are open until 5pm on 12 December 2025. Apply now: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-ondaatje-prize/
November 12, 2025 at 10:12 AM
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: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-ondaatje-prize/
Applications are open until 5pm on 12 December 2025. Apply now: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-ondaatje-prize/
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/
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/
October 22, 2025 at 4:02 PM
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/
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 📚❤️
Ursula K. Le Guin, #BornOnThisDay in 1929 📚❤️
October 21, 2025 at 4:01 PM
“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 📚❤️
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/
The award is now open for entries until 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/
October 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM
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/
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/
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 […]
rsliterature.org
October 17, 2025 at 4:02 PM
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 📚❤️
Oscar Wilde, #BornOnThisDay in 1854 📚❤️
October 16, 2025 at 4:03 PM
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
Oscar Wilde, #BornOnThisDay in 1854 📚❤️
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!
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!
October 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM
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!
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/
Closing 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/
October 6, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The 2026 Christopher Bland Prize is now open for entry 🏆
Closing 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/
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
📅 Sunday 30 November, 2:30pm
📍 The British Library/Online
🎟️ £15 in-person/£5 online, FREE for RSL Members/Fellows
https://ow.ly/uVRX50X3AwC
October 1, 2025 at 4:01 PM
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
📅 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.
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.
September 30, 2025 at 4:01 PM
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.
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 📚 ❤️
Elizabeth Gaskell, #BornOnThisDay in 1810 📚 ❤️
September 29, 2025 at 4:01 PM
“A little credulity helps one on through life very smoothly.”
Elizabeth Gaskell, #BornOnThisDay in 1810 📚 ❤️
Elizabeth Gaskell, #BornOnThisDay in 1810 📚 ❤️
Reposted by Royal Society of Literature
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.
See it if you can.
As book banning sweeps across the U.S. at an unprecedented rate, brave librarians emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy. A film by Kim A. Snyder.
Opens UK 9/26 @berthadochouse.bsky.social, US 10/03 @filmforumnyc.bsky.social, rollout to follow.
Tix: TheLibrariansFilm.com/screenings
Opens UK 9/26 @berthadochouse.bsky.social, US 10/03 @filmforumnyc.bsky.social, rollout to follow.
Tix: TheLibrariansFilm.com/screenings
September 25, 2025 at 8:19 PM
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.
See it if you can.
Reposted by Royal Society of Literature
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!
September 27, 2025 at 12:11 PM
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!