The RSL’s new Literature Matters Awards aim to reward and enable literary excellence and innovation. Each year, after an open call for proposals, the Awards will be given to individual writers or other literary creators, recognising their past achievements and providing them with financial support to undertake a proposed new piece of writing or literary project. Launched as part of the RSL’s new Literature Matters programme, priority will be given to proposals which (a) will help connect with audiences or topics outside the usual reach of literature, and/or (b) will help generate public discussion about why literature matters.
The proposals will be judged and the award-winners selected by a panel of writers who are Fellows of the RSL. For 2018, the panel is: Jonathan Keates (Chair), Imtiaz Dharker and Gillian Slovo.
They are open for submissions of proposals for writing, literary events or projects. An RSL Literature Matters Award must result in new, original writing or other literary activity of an excellent artistic standard, which will reach a substantial readership or audience.
It may be
- a piece or pieces of writing
- a publication
- an event
- a production
on any subject and in any form, including (but not limited to) prose fiction or non-fiction, short stories, poetry, playwriting, screenwriting, graphic fiction, biography or travel-writing.
The money may be used to fund all or part of the activity, but may not be used for writing or any other activity which has already been completed.
How to apply: To apply, download and complete the application form which can be found here, and send to martha.stenhouse@rsliterature.org.
Deadline: 4 December 2017
Source: BBCWritersroom