Shortlist for 2017 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction

The Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction today announced the 2017 shortlist. Now in its twenty-second year, the Prize celebrates excellence, originality and accessibility in writing by women in English from throughout the world. The six shortlisted novels are: Stay With Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀̀ (Canongate) The Power by Naomi Alderman (Viking) The Dark Circle by…

Creative Scotland backs Society of Authors in Scotland conference

3 April 2017 Scottish cultural body signs off funding to support three-day event in Glasgow. Creative Scotland, the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across Scotland, has awarded a grant to the Society of Authors in Scotland (SoAiS) in its latest round of funding, announced on Friday. The grant will help…

First call for candidates for Management Committee Elections

*Update: nominations are now closed.* We are now inviting nominations for Members to serve on our voluntary board of directors, who guide the SoA’s campaigns and oversee the work we do on behalf of nearly 10,000 authors. Nominations must be received by 30 June and successful candidates will commence their term in November 2017 after the AGM. Read more The…

Longlist for 2017 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction

The Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction today announced the 2017 longlist. Now in its twenty-second year, the Prize celebrates excellence, originality and accessibility in writing by women in English from throughout the world.  The announcement coincides with International Women’s Day 2017. The 16 longlisted writers and the titles of their novels are:  •    Stay With…

Have your say on Making Tax Digital and proposed changes to National Insurance

8 March 2017 As the Government pushes ahead with major changes to the way tax for self-employed people is calculated and reported, we are very concerned about the impact these changes will have on our members. We’ve prepared a template letter for you to download, adapt and send to your local MP, to help raise…

RSL surveys nation on the idea of ‘literature’

The Royal Society of Literature today (1 March) published the findings from a nationwide survey of people aged 15 and up. The results took into account each interviewee’s idea of what ‘literature’ means, and asked those who don’t read what might make them read more. Of the respondents, 75% considered themselves readers of literature, and…

2016 Translation Prizes – £13,000 distributed in six awards

This year, we honoured the most accomplished works of translation into English from Arabic, Italian, French, German, Spanish and Hebrew. The awards were presented by the judges at a ceremony held at the British Library on 22 February, sharing a total of £13,000 between the winners. The Society of Authors Translation Prizes celebrates both the…

Longlist for 2017 Sunday Times EFG Short Story Awards

The longlist includes international bestselling author Bret Anthony Johnson, Man Asian Literary Prize longlister Anjali Joseph and winner of last year’s Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction Lisa McInerney. The 2017 Sunday Times EFG Award winner will receive £30,000. This year’s longlist has international reach with authors including Anjali Joseph (Bombay), Kevin Wilson (Nashville), Sally Rooney…

Registered for VAT? 4% Flat Rate increase for authors from April

3 February 2017 A new Flat Rate VAT regime is likely to see authors’ contributions increase from 12.5% to 16.5% from the beginning of April.  How will this affect you and what are your options? In last year’s Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced several changes to the tax system for self-employed people.  While some proposals…

Winner: 2017 Audio Drama Awards

The Archers writer Tim Stimpson presented Fritz with prizes totalling £5,000 at the BBC’s Audio Drama Awards on 29 January 2017. The star-studded ceremony was hosted by Sir Lenny Henry. Download the full press release. Comment is Free Imison judges said: ‘A fiercely current, socially relevant and dramatic depiction of free speech and mob mentality. A…