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The Society of Authors

@societyofauthors.bsky.social

6.6K followers 240 following 490 posts

The largest UK union for writers, illustrators and literary translators. Fighting for a nicer industry since 1884. #societyofauthors Protect authors’ livelihoods from the unlicensed use of their work in AI training https://linktr.ee/societyofauthors

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · Apr 28

‘Inspiring, intimidating and inviting in equal measure’ – SoA Awards 2025 judges announced. Read the breadth of our prizes & scholarships here -

authr.uk

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 1d

Our board member @venusbushfires is here to remind you to post your SoA ballot papers, if you haven't already.

Ballots must be returned by 22 October, so make sure you've posted them by Friday 17.

There are 4 places available, so 4 votes to cast.

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 1d

Everyone at the SoA was saddened to learn of the death of Dame Jilly Cooper.

She brought joy through her work and earned a special place in our hearts with her unique voice.

She certainly succeeded in her aim.

We send our best wishes to her family.

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 5d

The information will remain confidential and will only be used for our ongoing public affairs work, unless you inform us otherwise.

More details below

societyofauthors.org/2025/10/02/a...

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 5d

Is your work included?

The Society of Authors is creating a list of members who are included on this list to help us gauge how many UK members are affected. If you have found your work listed, please consider recording your details with us.

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 5d

A searchable works list has been released to identify the authors’ works that were stolen by US Corporation Anthropic, to train its AI models. It includes UK authors whose works were copied without their permission or payment.

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 6d

Happy National Poetry Day. This year's theme is Play.

We are proud to hold the Literary Estates for many wonderful poets including Walter De La Mare. Here is one of our favourites.

This edition of The Ride-By-Nights is published by Faber with beautiful illustrations from Carolina Rabei

The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 6d

A love of reading in childhood can last a lifetime. Teacher resource site Twinkl has published this insightful blog on how to encourage kids to read.

Abie Longstaff, Chair of The SofA’s Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group shares her top tips.

www.twinkl.co.uk/blog/how-to-...

How to Encourage Kids to Read Stories (And Why You Should)

Reading, for kids, is a good habit to encourage, and literature is no exception to this. Read on to learn about encouraging kids to read.

www.twinkl.co.uk

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 7d

LAST FEW TICKETS REMAINING

Join Ronke Lawal at our London office for our In-Person Professional Development session, 'Speaking with presence and poise: confident communication for authors'

Book your place here societyofauthors.org/event/soa-in...

The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 11d

ONE WEEK LEFT

During our recent Industry Insider event, SWG Committee member Imogen Church reminded everyone to submit their entries to the BBC Audio Drama awards.

The deadline for entries is midnight on 5 October, so don't delay.

societyofauthors.org/prizes/audio...

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 12d

📣We're delighted with the Court’s decision yesterday.
It's a win for authors and rightsholders, and a step in the right direction towards compensation for the unlawful use of copyright-protected works. Big Tech is not above the law and creators’ rights cannot be ignored. ✊
tinyurl.com/4db9u2fn

US judge preliminarily approves $1.5 billion Anthropic copyright settlement

A federal judge in California on Thursday preliminarily approved a landmark $1.5 billion settlement of a copyright class action brought by a group of authors against artificial intelligence company Anthropic, according to the authors' representatives.

www.reuters.com

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 12d

apnews.com/article/anth...

Judge approves $1.5 billion copyright settlement between AI company Anthropic and authors

A federal judge on Thursday approved a $1.5 billion settlement between artificial intelligence company Anthropic and authors who allege nearly half a million books had been illegally pirated to train…

apnews.com

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 13d

This is your chance, as a full member, to influence the strategic direction of the SoA’s work, but you need to get your papers back to us by 22 October 2025

You can only vote by post, so for your vote to count, please post your completed ballot paper by Friday 17 October, earlier if you live abroad

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 13d

Our chair, Vanessa Fox O'Loughlin (also known as Sam Blake), has a busy international schedule, but can still find the time to remind you to vote in our upcoming board elections.

the post. This year, nine candidates are standing for election for four places on the SoA board.

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 14d

These sessions are free to members, and just one of the many benefits of an SoA membership.

Take a look at our website for more events and member benefits. Not a member? Use code SOAATHOME20 to get 20% for the first year of membership.

The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 14d

Our #SoAatHome programme of online webinars is designed to give support on the business of authorship.

From dealing with publishers and marketing your book, through to the nitty-gritty details of pensions and finance, these sessions provide valuable knowledge, insight, and reassurance.

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 15d

An independent jury has selected the shortlist, and the winning book will be announced in autumn at the International Frankfurt Book Fair.

We wish all the shortlisted authors the best of luck.

To read more about the Ilse Schwepcke Prize visit IlseSchwepckePrize.co.uk.

The Ilse Schwepcke Prize – New Awards for Women’s Travel Writing

We are thrilled to announce the 2025 shortlists for the inaugural Ilse Schwepcke Prizes.

IlseSchwepckePrize.co.uk

The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 15d

The shortlist for the Ilse Schwepcke Prize has now been announced.

Congratulations to Kapka Kassabova, Ursula Martin, Viv Groskop (@vivgroskop) and Victoria Whitworth,

It is an annual award, administered by the SoA, for women’s travel writing in the English language.

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 15d

Robyn Law, our head of Fundraising, Grants and Prizes has been talking to Penny Wincer on the Not Too Busy To Write podcast.

They take a deep dive into how to apply for grants to help support you while you write.

open.spotify.com/episode/2NsZ...

Grants for Writers with The Society of Authors

Not Too Busy To Write · Episode

open.spotify.com

The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 20d

Often, what happens next is we freeze and do nothing.

Join Mindset coach, Kelly Weekes in this session looking at what overwhelm is, how to break out of it when it strikes, and tips on how to avoid it.

#SoAatHome

The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 20d

Our #SoAatHome programme returns on Friday for its Autumn/Winter season.

We kick off with Feel Good Friday – Breaking free of overwhelm.

Overwhelm can happen to us all. That sense that there is just too much to do, that you don’t know where to start.
🧵

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 21d

We are receiving an increasing number of enquiries from members regarding suspicious emails and phone calls that seem too good to be true.

It's easy for spammers to sound informed and convincing. We've put together our latest advice to keep you on your guard

societyofauthors.org/2025/09/16/a...

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 22d

Being an author can be an isolating business, especially trying to navigate an industry that is not familiar.

Our Author Care toolkit provides helpful advice on what to expect in terms of transparency. support and inclusion, and respectful communication.

societyofauthors.org/resource/aut...

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 22d

By now, if you're a full member, you will have received your ballot paper in the post.

This is your chance to have your say - don't waste it by forgetting to vote.

Return your completed ballot to us by 22 October.

#SoAElection

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 25d

We promised you that we would keep you up to date on the Anthropic case in the US.

Read the latest developments in our news piece.

societyofauthors.org/2025/09/11/a...

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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 28d

Today marks the birthday of the late Lady Lavinia, Dowager Marchioness of Cholmondeley, born on this day in 1921.

She founded the Cholmondeley Awards for Poets in 1966 to recognise the achievement and distinction of individual poets.

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