Royal Society of Literature
@rsliterature.bsky.social
The RSL celebrates and nurtures reading and writing of all kinds. We're a charity that believes literature is for everyone. ✨ 200 years young. 🌟
“To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour.”
William Blake, #BornOnThisDay in 1757 📚❤️
William Blake, #BornOnThisDay in 1757 📚❤️
November 28, 2025 at 5:01 PM
“To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour.”
William Blake, #BornOnThisDay in 1757 📚❤️
William Blake, #BornOnThisDay in 1757 📚❤️
Reposted by Royal Society of Literature
Hope to see you there —Maureen is the best and I’m delighted to be helping celebrate her on 30 November @britishlibrary.bsky.social @rsliterature.bsky.social
On Sun 30th Nov we will be celebrating the @rsliterature.bsky.social Pioneer Prize, so generously founded and funded by Bernardine Evaristo. The inaugural winner is Maureen Duffy. Join us @britishlibrary.bsky.social or online to celebrate her work: events.bl.uk/events/rsl-p...
RSL presents: The Pioneer Prize | British Library
Join us for the launch of the RSL Pioneer Prize, a new initiative spotlighting and celebrating writers who have been trailblazers in their field.Acknowledg
events.bl.uk
November 17, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Hope to see you there —Maureen is the best and I’m delighted to be helping celebrate her on 30 November @britishlibrary.bsky.social @rsliterature.bsky.social
Reposted by Royal Society of Literature
On Sun 30th Nov we will be celebrating the @rsliterature.bsky.social Pioneer Prize, so generously founded and funded by Bernardine Evaristo. The inaugural winner is Maureen Duffy. Join us @britishlibrary.bsky.social or online to celebrate her work: events.bl.uk/events/rsl-p...
RSL presents: The Pioneer Prize | British Library
Join us for the launch of the RSL Pioneer Prize, a new initiative spotlighting and celebrating writers who have been trailblazers in their field.Acknowledg
events.bl.uk
November 17, 2025 at 8:58 PM
On Sun 30th Nov we will be celebrating the @rsliterature.bsky.social Pioneer Prize, so generously founded and funded by Bernardine Evaristo. The inaugural winner is Maureen Duffy. Join us @britishlibrary.bsky.social or online to celebrate her work: events.bl.uk/events/rsl-p...
We’re holding an event to mark this year’s RSL Pioneer Prize and you’re invited! Swipe to see the line-up 👉
Tickets are available now: https://events.bl.uk/events/rsl-presents-the-pioneer-prize
Tickets are available now: https://events.bl.uk/events/rsl-presents-the-pioneer-prize
November 18, 2025 at 12:26 PM
We’re holding an event to mark this year’s RSL Pioneer Prize and you’re invited! Swipe to see the line-up 👉
Tickets are available now: https://events.bl.uk/events/rsl-presents-the-pioneer-prize
Tickets are available now: https://events.bl.uk/events/rsl-presents-the-pioneer-prize
Some very special moments from our Bourdain Supper Club collaboration with Honey & Co and Bloomsbury Publishing 🍽️
Don’t miss out on some of our last events of the year - tickets available now: https://rsliterature.org/what-is-on/
Don’t miss out on some of our last events of the year - tickets available now: https://rsliterature.org/what-is-on/
November 18, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Some very special moments from our Bourdain Supper Club collaboration with Honey & Co and Bloomsbury Publishing 🍽️
Don’t miss out on some of our last events of the year - tickets available now: https://rsliterature.org/what-is-on/
Don’t miss out on some of our last events of the year - tickets available now: https://rsliterature.org/what-is-on/
We’ve got great news for writers across the UK and RoI – the 2026 RSL Ondaatje Prize is now taking submissions! 🥳
Applications are open until 5pm on 12 December 2025. Apply now: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-ondaatje-prize/
Applications are open until 5pm on 12 December 2025. Apply now: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-ondaatje-prize/
November 12, 2025 at 10:12 AM
We’ve got great news for writers across the UK and RoI – the 2026 RSL Ondaatje Prize is now taking submissions! 🥳
Applications are open until 5pm on 12 December 2025. Apply now: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-ondaatje-prize/
Applications are open until 5pm on 12 December 2025. Apply now: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-ondaatje-prize/
Something very exciting has arrived at our office here in Somerset House 👀
Join us for our Pioneer Prize event at the British Library on 30 November to honour Maureen Duffy's impact and legacy: https://rsliterature.org/whats-on/rsl-presents-the-pioneer-prize/
Join us for our Pioneer Prize event at the British Library on 30 November to honour Maureen Duffy's impact and legacy: https://rsliterature.org/whats-on/rsl-presents-the-pioneer-prize/
October 22, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Something very exciting has arrived at our office here in Somerset House 👀
Join us for our Pioneer Prize event at the British Library on 30 November to honour Maureen Duffy's impact and legacy: https://rsliterature.org/whats-on/rsl-presents-the-pioneer-prize/
Join us for our Pioneer Prize event at the British Library on 30 November to honour Maureen Duffy's impact and legacy: https://rsliterature.org/whats-on/rsl-presents-the-pioneer-prize/
“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
Ursula K. Le Guin, #BornOnThisDay in 1929 📚❤️
Ursula K. Le Guin, #BornOnThisDay in 1929 📚❤️
October 21, 2025 at 4:01 PM
“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
Ursula K. Le Guin, #BornOnThisDay in 1929 📚❤️
Ursula K. Le Guin, #BornOnThisDay in 1929 📚❤️
We’re delighted to welcome A.L. Kennedy, Louise Kennedy and Derek Owusu to our judging panel for the 2026 Christopher Bland Prize.
The award is now open for entries until 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/
The award is now open for entries until 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/
October 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM
We’re delighted to welcome A.L. Kennedy, Louise Kennedy and Derek Owusu to our judging panel for the 2026 Christopher Bland Prize.
The award is now open for entries until 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/
The award is now open for entries until 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/
Join our four RSL Jerwood Poets – Roseanne Watt, Scott McKendry, clare e. potter and Karen McCarthy Woolf – at this year’s Push the Boat Out Festival for a premiere of new collaborations co-conceived with musician, Kathryn Williams: https://rsliterature.org/whats-on/the-clearing/
The Clearing - Royal Society of Literature
Saturday 22 November, 19:30-20:30, Push the Boat Out Festival, The Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh. General admission: £15 + booking fee | Concession: £12 + booking fee Join this year’s four RSL Jerwood Poets – Roseanne Watt, Scott McKendry, clare e. potter and Karen McCarthy Woolf – for a premiere of new collaborations co-conceived with musician, Kathryn […]
rsliterature.org
October 17, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Join our four RSL Jerwood Poets – Roseanne Watt, Scott McKendry, clare e. potter and Karen McCarthy Woolf – at this year’s Push the Boat Out Festival for a premiere of new collaborations co-conceived with musician, Kathryn Williams: https://rsliterature.org/whats-on/the-clearing/
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
Oscar Wilde, #BornOnThisDay in 1854 📚❤️
Oscar Wilde, #BornOnThisDay in 1854 📚❤️
October 16, 2025 at 4:03 PM
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
Oscar Wilde, #BornOnThisDay in 1854 📚❤️
Oscar Wilde, #BornOnThisDay in 1854 📚❤️
We had an amazing time watching a performance of Lifers, a new show presented by Synergy Theatre Project.
Exploring the reality of ageing in prison, Lifers was written by Evan Placey, who received our 2018 Literature Matters Award in support of the project. Now showing at Southwark Playhouse!
Exploring the reality of ageing in prison, Lifers was written by Evan Placey, who received our 2018 Literature Matters Award in support of the project. Now showing at Southwark Playhouse!
October 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM
We had an amazing time watching a performance of Lifers, a new show presented by Synergy Theatre Project.
Exploring the reality of ageing in prison, Lifers was written by Evan Placey, who received our 2018 Literature Matters Award in support of the project. Now showing at Southwark Playhouse!
Exploring the reality of ageing in prison, Lifers was written by Evan Placey, who received our 2018 Literature Matters Award in support of the project. Now showing at Southwark Playhouse!
The 2026 Christopher Bland Prize is now open for entry 🏆
Closing 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/
Closing 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/
October 6, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The 2026 Christopher Bland Prize is now open for entry 🏆
Closing 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/
Closing 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/
Join us for the launch of the RSL Pioneer Prize, a new initiative which will spotlight and celebrate writers who have been trailblazers in their field.
📅 Sunday 30 November, 2:30pm
📍 The British Library/Online
🎟️ £15 in-person/£5 online, FREE for RSL Members/Fellows
https://ow.ly/uVRX50X3AwC
📅 Sunday 30 November, 2:30pm
📍 The British Library/Online
🎟️ £15 in-person/£5 online, FREE for RSL Members/Fellows
https://ow.ly/uVRX50X3AwC
October 1, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Join us for the launch of the RSL Pioneer Prize, a new initiative which will spotlight and celebrate writers who have been trailblazers in their field.
📅 Sunday 30 November, 2:30pm
📍 The British Library/Online
🎟️ £15 in-person/£5 online, FREE for RSL Members/Fellows
https://ow.ly/uVRX50X3AwC
📅 Sunday 30 November, 2:30pm
📍 The British Library/Online
🎟️ £15 in-person/£5 online, FREE for RSL Members/Fellows
https://ow.ly/uVRX50X3AwC
Last week we had the pleasure of presenting Richard Ovenden with this year’s Benson medal at a very special celebration with Bodleian Libraries.
Richard was joined by RSL chair Ruth Scurr and director Laura Greenfield for the UK premiere of The Librarians Film a new documentary by Kim A. Snyder.
Richard was joined by RSL chair Ruth Scurr and director Laura Greenfield for the UK premiere of The Librarians Film a new documentary by Kim A. Snyder.
September 30, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Last week we had the pleasure of presenting Richard Ovenden with this year’s Benson medal at a very special celebration with Bodleian Libraries.
Richard was joined by RSL chair Ruth Scurr and director Laura Greenfield for the UK premiere of The Librarians Film a new documentary by Kim A. Snyder.
Richard was joined by RSL chair Ruth Scurr and director Laura Greenfield for the UK premiere of The Librarians Film a new documentary by Kim A. Snyder.
“A little credulity helps one on through life very smoothly.”
Elizabeth Gaskell, #BornOnThisDay in 1810 📚 ❤️
Elizabeth Gaskell, #BornOnThisDay in 1810 📚 ❤️
September 29, 2025 at 4:01 PM
“A little credulity helps one on through life very smoothly.”
Elizabeth Gaskell, #BornOnThisDay in 1810 📚 ❤️
Elizabeth Gaskell, #BornOnThisDay in 1810 📚 ❤️
Reposted by Royal Society of Literature
Last night this powerful film had its UK premiere, hosted by @bodleian.ox.ac.uk, with courageous librarians like @librarianjones.com there too. Alongside we awarded @richove.bsky.social the @rsliterature.bsky.social Benson Medal. What a privilege to share the stage with them.
See it if you can.
See it if you can.
As book banning sweeps across the U.S. at an unprecedented rate, brave librarians emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy. A film by Kim A. Snyder.
Opens UK 9/26 @berthadochouse.bsky.social, US 10/03 @filmforumnyc.bsky.social, rollout to follow.
Tix: TheLibrariansFilm.com/screenings
Opens UK 9/26 @berthadochouse.bsky.social, US 10/03 @filmforumnyc.bsky.social, rollout to follow.
Tix: TheLibrariansFilm.com/screenings
September 25, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Last night this powerful film had its UK premiere, hosted by @bodleian.ox.ac.uk, with courageous librarians like @librarianjones.com there too. Alongside we awarded @richove.bsky.social the @rsliterature.bsky.social Benson Medal. What a privilege to share the stage with them.
See it if you can.
See it if you can.
Reposted by Royal Society of Literature
An incredible evening @bodleian.ox.ac.uk: I was deeply honoured to receive the @rsliterature.bsky.social's Benson Medal from Ruth Scurr, then hosted a screening of 'The Librarians', the powerful doc @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social featuring courageous librarians @librarianjones.com & Julie Miller!
September 27, 2025 at 12:11 PM
An incredible evening @bodleian.ox.ac.uk: I was deeply honoured to receive the @rsliterature.bsky.social's Benson Medal from Ruth Scurr, then hosted a screening of 'The Librarians', the powerful doc @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social featuring courageous librarians @librarianjones.com & Julie Miller!
Our Giles St Aubyn Awards for Non-Fiction remain open for submission until 5pm on Monday 22 September.
Apply online today for your chance to win a prize of up to £10,000 to support your first commissioned work of non-fiction: rsliterature.org/rsl-giles-st...
Apply online today for your chance to win a prize of up to £10,000 to support your first commissioned work of non-fiction: rsliterature.org/rsl-giles-st...
RSL Giles St Aubyn Awards for Non-Fiction - Royal Society of Literature
RSL Giles St Aubyn Awards for Non-Fiction Three annual awards — of £10,000, £5,000 and £2,500 — are available for authors engaged on their first commissioned works of non-fiction. The RSL Giles St Aub...
rsliterature.org
September 17, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Our Giles St Aubyn Awards for Non-Fiction remain open for submission until 5pm on Monday 22 September.
Apply online today for your chance to win a prize of up to £10,000 to support your first commissioned work of non-fiction: rsliterature.org/rsl-giles-st...
Apply online today for your chance to win a prize of up to £10,000 to support your first commissioned work of non-fiction: rsliterature.org/rsl-giles-st...
Congratulations to the winner of the inaugural RSL Pioneer Prize, Maureen Duffy 🎉
Duffy received news of her award earlier this month when Evaristo visited her at home. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/9ZB_AHdm4ts?...
Duffy received news of her award earlier this month when Evaristo visited her at home. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/9ZB_AHdm4ts?...
September 17, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Congratulations to the winner of the inaugural RSL Pioneer Prize, Maureen Duffy 🎉
Duffy received news of her award earlier this month when Evaristo visited her at home. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/9ZB_AHdm4ts?...
Duffy received news of her award earlier this month when Evaristo visited her at home. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/9ZB_AHdm4ts?...
Reposted by Royal Society of Literature
A very special day today, when my lovely former colleagues @theul.bsky.social have digitised the founding documents of @rsliterature.bsky.social to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the signing of our Royal Charter. My favourite line: "We have become a People of Readers"
The RSL today marks the 200th anniversary of its incorporation with a Royal Charter ✒️
In celebration, Cambridge University Library @theul.bsky.social has digitised a selection of archive materials which they are making public today for the first time: cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/...
In celebration, Cambridge University Library @theul.bsky.social has digitised a selection of archive materials which they are making public today for the first time: cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/...
September 15, 2025 at 5:37 PM
A very special day today, when my lovely former colleagues @theul.bsky.social have digitised the founding documents of @rsliterature.bsky.social to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the signing of our Royal Charter. My favourite line: "We have become a People of Readers"
Reposted by Royal Society of Literature
What a fine gesture from the President of @rsliterature.bsky.social to fund an important new Prize from her own prize money. Bravo Bernie! observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Evaristo’s new prize for older female writers closes book...
The award for women writers over 60 will help redress disparities in grants
observer.co.uk
September 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM
What a fine gesture from the President of @rsliterature.bsky.social to fund an important new Prize from her own prize money. Bravo Bernie! observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Royal Society of Literature
The incredible Bernardine Evaristo has used her @womensprize.bsky.social Outstanding Contribution Award to create a new @rsliterature.bsky.social Prize. For the next decade, we will be celebrating pioneering women writers, starting with Maureen Duffy www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
91-year-old author Maureen Duffy wins Pioneer prize launched by Bernardine Evaristo
The RSL president has set up a new literary award for female writers over 60 using the £100,000 she herself won through the Women’s prize
www.theguardian.com
September 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
The incredible Bernardine Evaristo has used her @womensprize.bsky.social Outstanding Contribution Award to create a new @rsliterature.bsky.social Prize. For the next decade, we will be celebrating pioneering women writers, starting with Maureen Duffy www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
The RSL today marks the 200th anniversary of its incorporation with a Royal Charter ✒️
In celebration, Cambridge University Library @theul.bsky.social has digitised a selection of archive materials which they are making public today for the first time: cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/...
In celebration, Cambridge University Library @theul.bsky.social has digitised a selection of archive materials which they are making public today for the first time: cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/...
September 15, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The RSL today marks the 200th anniversary of its incorporation with a Royal Charter ✒️
In celebration, Cambridge University Library @theul.bsky.social has digitised a selection of archive materials which they are making public today for the first time: cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/...
In celebration, Cambridge University Library @theul.bsky.social has digitised a selection of archive materials which they are making public today for the first time: cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/...
Reposted by Royal Society of Literature
On Wed 19 Feb, 6.30pm, I’m taking part in a very special @rsliterature.bsky.social event at The London Library honouring and remembering Fleur Adcock, a poet who has meant so much to me. Rachel Long will chair & Wendy Cope will also be on the panel.
Tickets here:
rsliterature.org/whats-on/rsl...
Tickets here:
rsliterature.org/whats-on/rsl...
RSL Remembers: Fleur Adcock - Royal Society of Literature
Wednesday 19 February, 6:30pm, The London Library. Free for RSL Members and Fellows and London Library Members (If you are a London Library Member, please use the Public Tickets button below and enter...
rsliterature.org
January 13, 2025 at 9:05 AM
On Wed 19 Feb, 6.30pm, I’m taking part in a very special @rsliterature.bsky.social event at The London Library honouring and remembering Fleur Adcock, a poet who has meant so much to me. Rachel Long will chair & Wendy Cope will also be on the panel.
Tickets here:
rsliterature.org/whats-on/rsl...
Tickets here:
rsliterature.org/whats-on/rsl...