Back the Copyright Directive!
We are urging our members and supporters to write to their MEPs asking them to the support the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market. MEPs will debate and vote on the Directive on 12 September.
SoA writes to Home Secretary about visas for authors travelling to festivals
The Society of Authors has today written to the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, regarding reports that several authors were refused visas to travel to the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
£180,000 to authors for works in progress
By the start of 2018 we had received an enormous number of applications from writers of a wide range of genres and styles. This year we are delighted to be able to support some exciting new work from established and emerging authors. Over 50 authors will receive cheques amounting to £180,000 enabling them to complete their latest projects.
SoA encourages authors to step away from their desks
From 20-24 August the Society of Authors will be encouraging authors on Twitter to share the tactics they use to get away from the writing desk and relax, using the hashtag #insideoutside.
VS Naipaul, 1932-2018
We were saddened to learn of the death on Saturday of VS Naipaul, writer and longstanding member of the Society of Authors.
New Digital Hub for Emerging and Aspiring Writers
The Sunday Times Peters Fraser + Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award, in association with the University of Warwick, has established an online hub for emerging and aspiring writers, featuring contributions from high-profile authors and literary experts.
SoA calls for action to boost authors’ income
Responding to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Writers’ (APPWG) inquiry into authors’ earnings, the SoA has called upon both government and industry to take action to support authors and boost their income.
New prize for debut novelists over 60
The SoA has today announced the opening of the new Paul Torday Memorial Prize for Debut Novelists over 60. The prize is open for entries from today until 15 November 2018. British writer Paul Torday (1946-2013) published his first novel Salmon Fishing in the Yemen aged 60. The Torday family have set up the new…
SoA welcomes 5% growth in publishing industry
The Publishers Association’s 2017 Yearbook has been released today and reveals another strong year of growth for the publishing industry.
SoA shares £98,000 in ‘night of riches’ at 2018 Authors’ Awards
Writers and poets from across the globe were celebrating tonight (Thursday 19 July) as the 2018 Authors’ Awards were announced by the Society of Authors at a ceremony at RIBA. Hosted by Stephen Fry with an introduction by the President of the SoA, Philip Pullman, eight awards were presented to 31 writers with a host of debut names joining recognised writers of fiction, non-fiction and poetry to share a prize fund of £98,000.
Samantha Collett, Woodrow Phoenix, Katharine Quarmby and Hugh Roberts elected to the Management Committee
Back in March members were invited to stand (or propose fellow members to stand) for election to the Management Committee to fill the four vacancies, which will arise after the AGM in November when Eric Clark, Daniel Hahn, Alex Klaushofer and Janet Laurence complete their three-year terms.
MEPs vote down Copyright Directive
MEPs have voted to reject the EU’s Copyright Directive in its current form, and will return to debate the issue in September.