Royal Society of Literature announces masterclasses

2011 collaboration with Booker Prize Foundation announced

31 January 2011

The Royal Society of Literature (RSL), in collaboration with the Booker Prize Foundation, announce today (31 January 2011) a series of masterclasses for 2011.

The masterclasses will be given by four exceptional writers, two of whom - Ali Smith and William Boyd - have been previously shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, and a third, Candia McWilliam, is a former judge. Also included in the programme is the award-winning British travel writer, novelist and President of the RSL, Colin Thubron.

The masterclasses are open to members of the RSL and non-members. They offer a unique opportunity for both established writers and newcomers to writing to learn what it takes to become a successful writer and to have their work professionally critiqued.

Two of the four events will be held in public libraries, to demonstrate the RSL's support for these libraries in the face of recent cuts to the arts and education, and to help show that the services that libraries can offer to their visitors can be increased and diversified.

Ion Trewin, Literary Director of the Man Booker Prizes comments: "The Booker Prize Foundation is delighted to be working with the Royal Society of Literature on such an impressive programme of masterclasses and is particularly pleased that they are taking place at various venues across the country. As part of its charitable programme the BPF already supports a number of initiatives aimed at promoting excellence in fiction writing and the RSL-inspired masterclasses are a worthy addition."

Colin Thubron adds: "With our Booker Prize Foundation partners we are giving masterclasses that are intensive, highly skilled and generous to students' individual needs. Few three-hour periods could be better spent."

For more details about the masterclasses please visit the RSL website.

You can read the full press release (with biographical details on each of the masterclass writers) here.