Elected: 2024
Claire is the founder and CEO of New Writing North, the writing development organisation for the North of England. New Writing North produces major literary awards and prizes, festivals and events and programmes to support writers from underrepresented backgrounds to access the writing industries through projects such as the Northern Writers’ Awards and A Writing Chance. She was awarded an MBE for Services to Literature and Young People, holds an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Durham University and is one of the Bookseller’s 150 people influencing publishing.
Fellows are nominated by peers and elected by our Council of writers – our governing Board. Being elected a Fellow of the RSL is a lifetime honour. This role gives them the opportunity to support other writers, readers and the future of literature. The RSL connects writers in the Fellowship to one another, and to a wider readership.
