A Legacy to Literature J.R.R. Tolkien’s signature in the A word from our President RSL Roll Book The Royal Society of Literature honours English writing at its finest. Through talks, debates and readings we help to celebrate the past and vitalise the future. But our work can never be taken for granted. We rely not only on membership subscriptions, but “Britain’s literature, both on the generosity of donors. Legacies bequeathed in a will, even modest past and present, is ones, can be especially important. unrivalled, and the Royal Society of Literature is the I myself will be bequeathing to the Royal only organisation devoted Society of Literature the earnings from my books. I feel sure there could be no to ensuring that it remains recipient more worthy. Others who I am so. Its work has never aware have made provision for the RSL in been more important” their wills include the President Emeritus, Michael Holroyd, Michael Holroyd, and Giles St Aubyn, who N HE President Emeritus C will be leaving a substantial sum to fund N grants for writers of non-fiction early in YA their careers. For those who value the beauty and “The RSL offers the expressiveness of the English language, best, and best-value, a legacy to the RSL is an apt and lasting programme of literary contribution. Please give it thought. The talks and discussions in Society – and countless others – will be deeply grateful. London – a unique blend of literary seriousness Colin Thubron and lively comment” President Maggie Gee, former Chair Polly Toynbee and Aminatta Forna at ARD “What’s the Use of N U Literature?”, C June 2011 NICK Leaving a legacy By leaving a gift to the Society in your Awards, prizes and grants will, you could help to secure N SO the future of the following N “Receiving this award was a wonderful, OPKI unforeseen boon... It is an unusual prize, The RSL programme of lectures, H awarded as it is before a book is done. So HARLIE HARLIE it buys a writer time – and gives them a discussions and debates C sweet serendipitous cup of adrenalin and “In recent years the RSL has placed itself From top: morale.” Alice Albinia, Alice Albinia, winner of an at the centre of debate on literary culture. Kate Clanchy Its events have become noted for bringing and Edmund RSL Jerwood Award readers and writers together in lively de Waal engagement.” “There are many wonderful things Hilary Mantel, CBE about the V. S. Pritchett Prize: it is very prestigious, it is very literary, it There is an option to leave money celebrates the longer short story. The towards administering titled RSL most wonderful thing for me, though, lectures. Please see “How to leave a was that it was open to all comers, legacy” for further information. with no entrance criteria. That meant that someone with no reputation in RSL masterclasses short fiction could find herself sharing From top: a platform with Helen Simpson and “Ali Smith’s recent masterclass in Hilary Mantel, Penelope Lively.” Brighton opened my eyes to the endless Priya Khanchandani Kate Clanchy, winner of the RSL possibilities that seemingly simple tasks and Michael V.S. Pritchett Memorial Prize for could bring to my writing, and helped Morpurgo short-story writing me overcome my reluctance to share my work. Having a world-class author “I am truly honoured to have received this comment on my work was fantastic.” prize. There are very few prizes given by Priya Khanchandani writers to writers and this makes the RSL Ondaatje Prize particularly special. My Work with schools book is haunted by the meaning of place and the experience of exile and I feel that “Children should not only read great the award is a public recognition of the writers, but meet them in the flesh. complexity that place can engender.” The RSL’s new Schools Outreach Edmund de Waal, winner of the Programme, which will make this RSL Ondaatje Prize possible, is a thrilling initiative.” Michael Morpurgo, OBE N O nn A C AH JAMES AH nn A ICHARD ICHARD R H Jeremy Treglown, Sara Wheeler, How to leave a legacy Michael Holroyd and Hilary Spurling ahead of an Should you choose to remember the RSL in your will, there are three types of RSL discussion gift for which you might make provision. It is very important to take independent on biography professional advice when writing your will. You will find below suggested wording which might be helpful: Pecuniary legacy “People need to feel in A pecuniary legacy allows you to specify I give the sum of £ (In words and figures) an amount of money you would like to to The Royal Society of Literature their very bones that the bequeath. You could choose to leave (Registered Charity Number 213-962) of whole of English literature money towards administering our titled Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R from Beowulf to Byron to lectures: a one-off lecture for £2,000, a 1LA for its general charitable purposes Benjamin Zephaniah is theirs five-year series of lectures for £10,000, and I declare that receipt by the Secretary or an annual lecture in perpetuity. of the RSL will be full and sufficient by right of inheritance. The discharge to my Executors. ies Please contact us if you are interested in NZ RSL exists to show people E endowing a lecture in perpetuity. M - what belongs to them and to glas U welcome them into it” Do A Philip Pullman, CBE Residuary legacy ND ci A residuary legacy is the term used when I give the residue (or percentage of LU the remainder of an estate is left after the residue) of my estate to The Royal family and friends have been taken care Society of Literature (Registered Charity of. Proportionally a residuary legacy will Number 213-962) of Somerset House, “At the heart of the RSL are not devalue over time. Strand, London WC2R 1LA for its general its Fellows, and as Chair charitable purposes and I declare that my aim is to link them, our receipt by the Secretary of the Royal Society of Literature will be full and best writers, with readers sufficient discharge to my Executors. so that their remarkable talents are shared as Specific legacy widely as possible” A specific legacy is a particular asset such as property, personal possessions Anne Chisholm, Chair or shares. How legacies are recorded or acknowledged The tax implications of including a charity in All legacies over £1,000 are recorded in the your will Society’s Annual Report and Accounts and are As The Royal Society of Literature is a publicly acknowledged on our website, unless registered charity, no inheritance tax is payable the donor requests anonymity. If you would like on the amount of your donation, as charities any further information or would like to discuss are exempt from paying this tax. There are also any aspect of making or changing your will please tax implications of leaving the residue of your contact Maggie Fergusson, either by telephone estate to a charitable beneficiary. We suggest OW L (020 7485 4676) or by email ([email protected]). All you consult a professional adviser for further Seamus Heaney at enquiries will be treated in strictest confidence. information on these issues. a celebration of his yn work, February 2010 JOCEL If you have already remembered the RSL in your will, or are considering doing so, we would greatly appreciate it if you could let us know by filling in this form. The form is simply a statement of intent, is not legally binding, and does not prohibit you from changing your will in the future. Name (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Other) Address Postcode Telephone Email Date Please tick as appropriate I have left a pecuniary I am considering leaving a legacy to legacy to the RSL the RSL and I would like someone from the organisation to contact me I have left a residuary I do not wish to receive any legacy to the RSL further mailings on this subject If you felt able to give some indication of the value of your legacy we would be very grateful This form will be treated in strictest confidence. Please post it, once completed, to: Maggie Fergusson, The Royal Society of Literature, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA Alternatively, please call 0207 845 4677 or email [email protected].