28 November 2017 The Management Committee has agreed that the fees paid to speakers at Society of Authors events should be increased. Authors – both as part of the SoA and independently – have pushed hard for literary festivals to pay speakers a fair rate. Considering the vital role authors play in bringing attendees and…
23 November 2017 While there are no major changes or surprises, we find little to be enthusiastic about in this week’s Autumn Statement, with several points likely to disappoint authors, particularly those on lower incomes, and nothing to stimulate publishing and the creative industries as Brexit progresses. Yesterday’s Autumn Statement, while offering some concessions to…
20 November 2017 The Vondel Prize for Dutch Translation has been awarded to David McKay for War and Turpentine (Harvill Secker), translated from Oorlog en terpentijn by Stefan Hertmans. McKay will be awarded with the €5,000 prize on 1st March 2018 at The Society of Authors’ annual Translation Prizes ceremony at the British Library. This…
The 2018 rate of PLR, recommended by the British Library Board, is 8.2 pence per loan, an increase of .38 pence over last year. Sadly, the proposed increase is not because the government is increasing funding but because library cuts mean that the estimated number of PLR-registered loans has decreased. The Department for Digital, Culture,…
15 November 2017 On Friday 10 November, The Bookseller published the findings of its survey into sexual harassment in the publishing industry. We now join their call for all sections of publishing to work together to find constructive solutions. As Publishers Association CEO Stephen Lotinga said on Monday: ‘Any single example of harassment is completely…
15 November 2017 What and why is the GDPR? The GDPR will govern the way companies of all sizes manage and are responsible for the personal information they store and use. It is designed to give people more control over the information that is held about them, and to provide a legal framework to protect…
14 November 2017 We are delighted to reveal the six books that have been shortlisted for the 2017 ALCS Educational Writers’ Award, this year focusing on the 5-11 age group. The winner will receive a cheque for £2,000 and will be presented with their award at the All Party Writers Group (APWG) Winter Reception at…
10 November 2017 On the 4 & 5 November members of Authors North gathered at Manchester Art Gallery to learn from experts in the field of business negotiation, tax, digital marketing and self-publishing. On Saturday the programme focused on how to maximise your income as a writer. Sessions included hard-won advice, perspective and solutions from…
29 October 2017 We are delighted to announce the shortlist for The Sunday Times / Peters Fraser + Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award 2017. The 2017 shortlist was chosen by the award-winning novelist Elif Shafak and acclaimed cultural historian and biographer Lucy Hughes-Hallett alongside Andrew Holgate, The Sunday Times Literary Editor. The winner…
Eight candidates stood for four positions in our annual elections. 1405 members voted in this year’s election, administered by Electoral Reform Services. Elected members of the Management Committee serve for three years, and oversee the strategic direction and governance of the Society of Authors. Successful candidates and outgoing members The successful candidates are: Ferdinand Dennis –…
Practical advice and guidance from the SoA’s advisory team
10 October 2017 It’s World Mental Health Day and we’re marking it with some wise words from mental health writer and campaigner Mark Brown, a book launch in aid of Mind, and a reminder about the mental health resources available on our website. ‘Mental health is too important to get wrong,’ said author Mark Brown…
