New Ruth Rendell award will celebrate literacy champions

The National Literacy Trust (NLT) and the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) have launched an award in memory of Ruth Rendell for champions of literacy.

The prize is for an author or writer who has worked towards raising literacy levels in the UK, either through their writing and books or through their advocacy and championing of the cause of literacy. Schools, charities, libraries, booksellers and individuals can nominate candidates via the NLT website by the 31st May.

The winner will be chosen by a panel of industry judges, including NLT director Jonathan Douglas and ALCS board member Jonathan Fryer.

The award, which does not come with a monetary prize, will be then be presented by Rendell’s son, Simon Rendell, at a ceremony at the House of Commons in December as part of the All Party Parliamentary Writers Group annual reception. 

Douglas said: “This brand new award celebrating the commitment of authors to the literacy cause is a wonderful tribute to Ruth Rendell, who was a much-loved author and a powerful advocate for literacy.”

Rendell (pictured), who died last year aged 85, was the bestselling author of murder mysteries, including the Inspector Wexford series.