Become a Patron J.R.R. Tolkien’s signature in the A word from our President RSL Roll Book
If you value the beauty and expressiveness of the English language, then the RSL is your Society, uniquely devoted to promoting and extending the knowledge and love of literature. But our work can never be taken for granted: we receive no public funding, and our subscription income goes only a small way to covering the costs of the “Britain’s literature, both programme of events we offer our Fellows past and present, is and Members. We rely on the generosity of unrivalled, and the Royal donors to help fund all that we do. Society of Literature is the Our Patron scheme brings together people only organisation devoted to who want to help secure the future of the ensuring that it remains so” RSL, and to enable it to grow by developing Michael Holroyd, our work in schools, building up the number
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of masterclasses we offer to writers, n and extending our programme of talks, Ya discussions and readings. “The RSL offers the As a gesture of thanks, we offer our Patrons a series of special invitations and best, and best-value, opportunities throughout the year. We hope programme of literary they will also get great satisfaction from talks and discussions in knowing that they are bringing real benefit London – a unique blend through an organisation whose work has never been more important. of literary seriousness and lively comment” Colin Thubron Maggie Gee, President former Chair
Polly Toynbee and Aminatta Forna at ard
“What’s the Use of n u Literature?”,
June 2011 C Nick Jeremy Treglown, Sara Wheeler, RSL Patrons Michael Holroyd and Hilary Spurling ahead of an RSL discussion on biography The RSL does not receive any government funding so we rely heavily on sponsorship, donations and subscriptions. Current RSL Patrons include Sir Tom Stoppard and “People need to feel in J.K. Rowling. their very bones that the “Two years ago I suggested that the RSL whole of English literature should help to meet its urgent need for an from Beowulf to Byron to injection of funds by inviting a number of Benjamin Zephaniah is theirs Fellows each to promise a gift of £1,000 by right of inheritance. The
a year for three years. I congratulate es
nzi RSL exists to show people
everyone concerned at the Society on e
their success in using this first tranche M - what belongs to them and to a s of money so effectively and imaginatively, welcome them into it”
increasing significantly the influence of Dou gl a d Philip Pullman, CBE in
the RSL, its membership and the scope of c what it is now able to do in the service of Lu literature and language. I very much hope that the Society will be able to continue “At the heart of the RSL are the Patrons scheme, broadening its scope to include RSL Members.” its Fellows, and as Chair P.D James my aim is to link them, our best writers, with readers Patrons receive a number of exclusive so that their remarkable invitations throughout the year, and are regularly sent books by forthcoming talents are shared as speakers, tailored to their interests. widely as possible” Anne Chisholm, Chair ow
Seamus Heaney at L an RSL celebration
of his work Jocel yn What your support will achieve so n Enhancing our programme of n Additional grants and prizes If you would like to become a Patron of the RSL we would be grateful if you could fill in this
lectures, debates and discussions opki for writers form and send it back to us. Payment can be made by enclosing a cheque for a minimum of £500 made out to The Royal Society of Literature, or by filling in the Direct Debit form overleaf. harlie H harlie
“In recent years the RSL has placed itself C “Receiving this award was a wonderful, Name (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Other) at the centre of debate on literary culture. unforeseen boon... It is an unusual prize, From top: Its events have become noted for bringing Alice Albinia, awarded as it is before a book is done. readers and writers together in lively Kate Clanchy So it buys a writer time – and gives them engagement.” and Edmund a sweet serendipitous cup of adrenalin Address Hilary Mantel, CBE de Waal and morale.” Alice Albinia, winner of an Increasing our masterclasses RSL Jerwood Award
“Ali Smith’s recent masterclass in “There are many wonderful things Postcode Brighton opened my eyes to the endless about the V. S. Pritchett Prize: it is possibilities that seemingly simple tasks very prestigious, it is very literary, it could bring to my writing, and helped celebrates the longer short story. The Telephone me overcome my reluctance to share most wonderful thing for me, though, my work. Having a world class author was that it was open to all comers, comment on my work was fantastic.” From top: with no entrance criteria. That meant Email Priya Khanchandani Hilary Mantel, that someone with no reputation in Priya Khanchandani short fiction could find herself sharing and Michael a platform with Helen Simpson and Developing our work in schools Morpurgo Penelope Lively.” Date “Children should not only read great Kate Clanchy, winner of the RSL writers, but meet them in the flesh. V.S. Pritchett Memorial Prize for The RSL’s new Schools Membership, short-story writing which will make this possible, is a Please tick the appropriate box: thrilling initiative.” “I am truly honoured to have received this I would like to become a Patron of the RSL and I enclose a cheque/have Michael Morpurgo, OBE prize. There are very few prizes given by filled in the Direct Debit form. I would like to donate the following amount: writers to writers and this makes the RSL £500 £1000 Other Ondaatje Prize particularly special. My
book is haunted by the meaning of place It is also possible to pay by Direct Debit on a monthly basis. and the experience of exile and I feel that For the £500 gift level this would work out as £42 per month, and for the £1,000 level it would come to £83 per month. the award is a public recognition of the complexity that place can engender.” Edmund de Waal, winner of the RSL Ondaatje Prize Please send this form, once completed, to:
n Rachel Page, The Royal Society of Literature, o Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA a nn
Please call 020 7845 4677 or email [email protected] ichard C ichard
R James ah H a nn for further information. Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay by Direct Debit
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