We’re delighted to reveal the names of the first ten writers to receive an RSL Scriptorium Award, winning a writing residency in a cottage on the Kent coast gifted by RSL President Bernardine Evaristo.

Yvonne Battle-Felton, Satinder Chohan, Suji Kwock Kim, Tom Newlands, Emma Norry, Irenosen Okojie, Hanna Silva, Claudine Toutoungi, Ralf Webb and Claire Wilson will all take up exclusive use of the house for their residency so they can focus solely on the task of writing. They will also receive a bursary to support them taking up their residency: this can be used to cover costs such as care provision, or to buy time away from other work. Winning writers will not be permitted to bring guests, and the property has been designed to be as free from distractions as possible.

The ten winning writers were chosen by a specially-convened panel of RSL Fellows. In their deliberations, Sarah Sanders, Kayo Chingonyi and Victoria Hislop gave priority to writers who do not have their own dedicated writing space and who experience barriers to their literary careers.

‘I was delighted to lead the panel to choose the first-ever winners of the RSL Scriptorium Awards,’ said Sanders. ‘This is a unique opportunity that demonstrates a deep understanding of the practical challenges facing many writers, offering that often elusive but essential space and time to create without distraction or financial worry.’