Copyright Directive gets the green light in Brussels
The Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market has won the support of MEPs in Brussels, meaning that it can advance to the next stage in the legislative process.
Radio Forum agrees rates rise for radio writers and minimum terms for podcasts
We are pleased to announce an increase to the minimum rates for radio writers and minimum terms for new-make podcasts in a series of amendments made to the Radio Drama Agreement further to collective negotiations between the BBC, the Society of Authors, the Personal Managers’ Association and the Writers’ Guild sitting as the Radio Forum.
Refugee Tales campaign to end indefinite detention
‘28 Tales for 28 Days’ is a new writers-and-actors-led initiative to raise awareness around the call to end indefinite detention of refugees.
Government scraps plans to abolish Class 2 National Insurance Contributions
Good news for the lowest paid, but we question why HMRC has completely rolled back plans that would have benefited 3.4 million people.
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…