Time: 2.30pm – 4pm
Where:
Pigott Theatre
British Library
London
About this event
Join us for the launch of the RSL Pioneer Prize, a new initiative spotlighting and celebrating writers who have been trailblazers in their field.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by earlier generations of women writers, each year a woman writer over 60 who has shaped our literary landscape will be honoured. For its inaugural year the prize will honour Maureen Duffy, born in 1933, the poet, playwright, novelist, non-fiction writer and activist.
Throughout her career Duffy has been consistently groundbreaking. She has brought to light previously unspoken stories; articulated the unheard voices of women and working-class protagonists; created a Humanist Mass; and reaffirmed the legacy of Aphra Behn among countless other achievements. She has been a phenomenal advocate for author rights and LGBTQ+ rights, and at the forefront of making changes which are still felt today.
RSL President Bernardine Evaristo will be joined by writers Val McDermid, So Mayer and lecturers Elaine Hobby and Lawrence Warner. Together with chair, Bee Rowlatt they discuss Duffy’s impact and legacy, and the power of amplifying older women writers’ voices.
This will be interspersed with readings from actor Rebecca Scroggs.
