“The advice and help that the Society's staff dispense, and the weight of experience that they can bring to bear, are immensely valuable. A subscription to the Society is the greatest investment any writer can make.”
- Philip Pullman
The Society of Authors is a non-profit making organisation, founded in 1884,
“to protect the rights and further the interests of authors”
Text size:
- 
- 
| Latest News |
| Batchconnect website |
| Creative Partnerships |
| Educational Writers' Award - winner announced |
Member Log-in
Organising an Author Visit?
Download one of our free information sheets.
Prizes, grants and awards
New Award for Educational Writing - £2,000
The Society of Authors has instigated a new award for educational writing, sponsored by the Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society.
The award is given to an outstanding example of traditionally published non-fiction that enhances teaching and learning.
The idea is to celebrate books that encourage students to read widely and build up an understanding of the subject, rather than only mirroring examination specifications.
The 2008 Winner
The winner of the 2008 Educational Writers' Award was Ian Gilbert for The Little Book of Thunks: 260 Questions to Make your Brain Go Ouch! (Crown House Publishing).
Gilbert received his cheque for £2,000 from Dr Ian Gibson MP at a reception at the Stationers' Hall, London. This year's award was presented for non-fiction published in 2006 and 2007 that enhanced teaching and learning for 12 to 18 year-olds.
The judges described Gilbert's book as "a completely original book to get all ages stretching their imaginations, thinking, discussing cogently and debating… a valuable tool for the teacher”.
The three other shortlisted titles were:
- Simon Basher & Adrian Dingle for The Periodic Table – Elements with Style! (Kingfisher)
- Tish Farrell for Write Your Own Adventure Stories (Ticktock Media)
- Glenn Murphy for Why Is Snot Green? (Macmillan)
The judges also commended Meg Harper's Wha'ever published by The Spinal Injuries Association.
The judging panel consisted of author Mel Thompson, teacher Vanessa Carey and school librarian Laura Taylor.
The 2009 Award
The 2009 Educational Writers' Award will be for work targeting the 5-11 year old age group, published during 2007 and 2008.
Deadline for submissions is 31st May 2009.
Entry forms will be available to download soon (including the criteria for entry and contact details).
If you have any books that are eligible, please pass a copy of the form (when available) to your editor so that he or she can be sure they are submitted.