Eric Clark
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Management Committee member, Eric Clark.
Universal Credit could silence working class writers
The Society of Authors has warned that reforms to the benefits system could silence working class writers and other diverse voices.
Copyright must not be used as bargaining chip in trade negotiations
In response to the Department for International Trade’s set of consultations on prospective trade agreements, the Society of Authors has called on the Government to ensure that copyright is not used as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations.
Axe the Reading Tax! End prejudice against digital readers
The UK Government has the opportunity to overturn an illogical and manifestly unfair tax system that discriminates against digital readers.
Anthea Bell and Isabel Quigly
We were saddened to learn of the deaths of two of our Council members this month – writer, translator and film critic Isabel Quigly, who died on 17 September, and translator Anthea Bell who died on 18 October.
Society of Authors welcomes Ofsted’s proposals for a new inspection framework
Ofsted has announced plans to change the way it inspects and assesses schools. Exam results will no longer be the principal focus for inspectors, who will instead look at the overall breadth and quality of education in schools. Ofsted’s Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman conceded that in recent years Ofsted has placed ‘too much weight on test…
Anna Burns named first Northern Irish Man Booker Prize winner
Congratulations to Society of Authors member Anna Burns, who has been named the winner of the Man Booker Prize 2018 – a first for a Northern Irish writer, and the first female winner of the prize since 2013.
Have your say on Arts Council England’s new ten-year strategy
Arts Council England has launched the latest stage of the consultation on its ten-year strategy for 2020-2030. This follows on from the ‘conversation’ which ACE held with the sector earlier this year. You can read our response to the conversation here. The consultation document outlines seven proposed outcomes for 2030, reflecting the following key areas: Supporting…
Scrap the reading tax!
It has been a longstanding principle that VAT is zero-rated on sales of printed books, in order to prevent a tax on reading and a tax on knowledge.
SoA completes purchase of new Bloomsbury home
In March, we announced that we had exchanged contracts on the SoA’s new home in Bloomsbury with the aim of moving in early in 2019. We’re excited to announce that almost six months on, we have completed the purchase of 24 Bedford Row and the sale of our current offices in Drayton Gardens.
PLR rate to increase but number of library loans declines
The Government is proposing to increase the rate of PLR payments to 8.52p per loan for 2017/18, an increase of 0.32p for each loan. However it has admitted that the number of loans has continued to decline.
SoA calls on Government to act as European Council paves the way for abolishing VAT on e-books
The EU’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin) has agreed to allow all member states to give e-books and audiobooks the same VAT-free status as printed books.