Three Society of Authors Fellows were recognised on the list: Sir Kazuo Ishiguro OBE has been made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for services to literature, Dame Jacqueline Wilson DBE has been awarded Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire and Sir Stephen Fry has been knighted for services to mental health awareness, the environment and to charity.
Novelist and SoA member Sir Alan Hollinghurst was recognised for his services to literature with a knighthood. SoA member and founder of Persephone books, Nicola Beauman, was awarded an OBE for services to Publishing.
Previous SoA Chief Executive Nicola Solomon, who retired in 2024, was also recognised for her services to literature and to the creative industries with an OBE.
Other SoA members were awarded OBE’s: Daniel M. Davis for services to science communication, J E Hoare for services to British interests in the Korean peninsula and Erich Hoyt for services to marine conservation.
We also congratulate all the other writers and books industry professionals who made the list. Novelist and former journalist Robert Harris was awarded a CBE, author Richard O’Neill was given an MBE and Caroline Michel, literary agent and chair of Hay Festival, was recognised with a damehood.
The New Year Honours list recognises the achievements of a wide range of extraordinary people across the UK.
For what it is worth, I too am a member of the Society of Authors and received an OBE in the New Year Honours list, for “services to British interests in the Korean peninsula.” These services include several publications, both books and journal articles.
J E Hoare