Every term day, children’s authors and illustrators visit schools across the UK and beyond and witness first-hand the hard work being done by teachers and librarians to foster a love of reading in young people. Sometimes we are so inspired by the work a particular school is doing that we believe it deserves celebrating.
The SoA Children’s Writers and Illustrator’s Group (CWIG) created the Reading for Pleasure Award to celebrate those schools and individuals who demonstrate an exceptional dedication to encouraging children and young people to read for pleasure.
Successful schools will receive a Reading for Pleasure Award certificate and badge (available in English & Welsh – where applicable), a personal letter celebrating their efforts, and recognition in the CWIG newsletter, along with publicity material for coverage in local press to further shine a spotlight on their efforts.
Any nursery, primary, secondary and special schools in the UK or internationally are eligible to be nominated for the award. Nominations must be made by a Society of Authors member.
If you’ve recently visited a school that stood out to you, we’d love to hear about it. Help us spotlight those that create welcoming and exciting reading cultures for children and young people across the UK by filling out the nomination form.
Information for schools
Who is the scheme open to?
Any nursery, primary, secondary and specialist schools in the UK or beyond are eligible to be nominated for the award. Schools can receive more than one award from different authors, and in different years.
How are submissions made?
Nominating authors must be members of the Society of Authors and must have visited the school over the 2026 / 2027 school year (September to July), either virtually or in person.
You may receive an award immediately after the author visit or find that the author has waited until the end of a term or the school year. This year’s deadline is 13 August 2027.
Successful schools will receive:
- A Reading for Pleasure Award certificate
- A personal letter celebrating your efforts
- Reading for Pleasure badges for librarians and educators
- Publicity material to share the achievement with local media and community
- A feature / showcase in our SoA and CWIG newsletters
Information for authors
There are many benefits to author visits, not least financial, but by becoming involved in the Reading for Pleasure Award, you can help celebrate schools that are going above and beyond in encouraging children to read. Your visit and name will also be reported in our quarterly CWIG newsletter, the SoA social media and local press.
CWIG members can, via the SoA, award as many schools as they wish within the school year. You must be an SoA member and must have visited the school, either virtually or in person, over September 2026 – July 2027.
How do I Nominate?
The scheme operates on a rolling basis, so members can nominate schools anytime they wish, so long as it comes before this school year deadline of 13 August 2027. You could spontaneously gift your award immediately after your visit when you feel really inspired; or leave your decision to the end of a term or the school year. We would prefer early nominations to sustain interest in the award throughout the year.
To nominate a school, complete the nomination form.
If you have any questions, email cwig@societyofauthors.org