The Society of Authors

16/06/2026

Just a couple of days to go until our SoA Awards and Summer Party!

Here's Akeem Balogun on his experience of being one of the judges for this year's awards.

We're looking forward to seeing everyone who can make it on Thursday evening, and if you can't be there in person you can still join us virtually via the livestream on our website.

13/06/2026

The team are at the National Writers Conference in Birmingham today, organised by Writing West Midlands.

An inspiring keynote from Casey Bailey and insightful panel discussions including SoA Fellows Lindsey Davis and Kit De Waal.

If you haven’t grabbed one of our badges yet, come and say hello.

12/06/2026

Come and write with us!

It's this month and we're celebrating with a special crime writing day in our Bedford Row event space.

Bestselling crime writer Nadine Matheson is hosting the event and will be on hand to offer tips and advice.

Bring your laptop or notebook and we'll provide the hot drinks, biscuits and WiFi. Join us for the full day or drop in at any point.

Tickets for SoA members are £5 (no lunch) or £9.50 (lunch included)

Tickets for non-members are £10 (no lunch) or £15 (lunch included)

Join us for our first Community Hub event in the SoA Space as we celebrate National Writing Day with a special focus on crime writers.

11/06/2026

One week to go before our Society of Authors' Awards and Summer Party.

We'll be at Southwark Cathedral on Thursday 18 June, as we celebrate this year’s winners, with a keynote speech from Cerrie Burnell

This year’s awards are a showcase of the written word across all genres and formats, celebrating novels, non-fiction, children’s books, short stories and poetry.

You can join us in person by booking a ticket on our website, or join the live stream.

We hope to see you there. In the meantime, take a look at 2025

With support from the .

Photos: Adrian Pope

10/06/2026

Nominations for our Management Committee (also known as the board) are now open, with four seats available. We welcome applications from any full members who have been with us for six months or more, but this year we're particularly looking for candidates with experience in finance, fundraising, governance and marketing.

Here's current board member Helen Epega talking about why she stood - and why you should too.

Visit our website for more information - https://societyofauthors.org/management-committee-elections/

05/06/2026

Nominations for our Management Committee (also known as the board) are now open, with four seats vailable. We welcome applications from any full members who have been with us for six months or more, but this year we're particularly looking for candidates with experience in finance, fundraising, governance and marketing.

Visit our website for information about standing. https://buff.ly/Dhc55IL

If you want to find out more, we're hosting an online event next Tuesday, where you can hear from board members and ask questions about standing for the board. See our events page for details. https://societyofauthors.org/event/lunchtime-learning-why-you-should-stand-for-the-board/

02/06/2026

We're excited to be taking part in events at , which begins this week.

Our CEO, Anna Ganley, is chairing a panel discussion on Digital Publishing and Elizabeth Haylett Clark, Senior Contracts Advisor at the SoA, is chairing a session on Self-publishing and Social Media.

Elizabeth is also available at the festival for 1:1 advice sessions, discussing topics such as publishing contracts and chasing payments.

And we have a couple of informal drop-in sessions for SoA members to meet each other and our team, and share experiences.

Find the full programme of events and book your tickets via the festival website.

https://belfastbookfestival.com/

28/05/2026

In this session with Charted Coaching Psychologist Lisa Christie we'll explore practical tools to help you speak and confidently request what you need throughout the publishing process - including your legal right to reasonable adjustments.

The event is aimed at any author wanting extra tools to smooth the path to publication day and beyond. It will be particularly useful for disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent authors who need to discuss reasonable adjustments. It's free for SoA members and £35 for non-members. Not a member yet? Join now using the code SOAATHOME20 and get 20% off for the first year.

This event is in conjunction with our Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Network (ADCI) and BSL Interpretation will be provided by Ali Gordon and Tracey Tyer.

https://societyofauthors.org/event/professional-development-how-to-ask-for-what-you-need-gaining-confidence-to-speak-up-while-navigating-barriers-in-publishing/

27/05/2026

📢 Calling all translators - we need your views and insights on our campaign.

Five years on from its launch, we’re working with Dr Pete Freeth (London Metropolitan University) to find out more about the campaign’s impact.

Pete’s project starts with an all-important survey for translators, exploring perspectives on the campaign and experiences with front-cover credit.

Your responses will give us vital insights into the current state of front-cover credit and will help us provide members with further support to achieve front-cover credit in future.

The survey is open until Friday 19 June and should take around 15 minutes to complete.

https://buff.ly/uRuoZ1O

21/05/2026

The Society of Authors in Scotland has signed an open letter calling for steps towards a basic income for artists.

The letter is addressed to Scotland’s political parties and cultural institutions. It urges action on a pilot scheme which will offer a meaningful opportunity to better understand how financial security could support creative practice, strengthen the wider cultural sector, and enable more sustainable careers.

We invite all political parties in Scotland to engage constructively with this proposal and call on Scotland’s cultural institutions, funders and organisations to support this process.

🖊️ Add your voice by signing the letter today.

A new Scottish Parliament has been elected. Now is the moment. We must make sure a basic income for artists pilot is delivered in this Parliament. The SNP have been re-elected. They said if this happened they would deliver a basic income for artists pilot. Over 300 artists, arts organisations, acade...