New Ruth Rendell Award to Celebrate Literacy Champions

It can be hard to keep track of all the literary awards and their winners, but the National Literacy Trust (NLT) and the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) has announced that they are launching a brand new award in memory of the late author Ruth Rendell for champions of literacy.

Rendell who died last year, aged 85 was the best selling author of murder mysteries, including the Inspector Wexford series and her works are celebrated around the world. This new award will celebrate the commitment of authors to the literacy cause and is a wonderful tribute to the author who was a powerful advocate for literacy.

The prize will go to an author or writer who has worked towards raising literacy levels in the UK, either through their writing or through advocacy and championing the cause of literacy. Schools, charities, libraries, booksellers and individuals can nominate candidates until 31st May on the National Literacy Trust website.

Once the deadline has been met the winner will be chosen by a panel of industry judges, including the NTL director Jonathan Douglas, and Jonathon Fryer from the ALCS. While the prize doesn’t carry a monetary award, it will be quite the accolade. The first Ruth Rendell Award will be given at a ceremony at the House of Commons in December and will be presented by Rendell’s son, Simon Rendell.

With literacy levels struggling for the first time in many years, we can think of many authors currently fighting against library cuts and cuts against the arts, and we don’t think we can think of a more timely award than this one.