Bernardine Evaristo, president of the Royal Society of Literature (RSL) and author of the polyphonic, Booker-Prize-winning Girl, Woman, Other, is paying it forward. And the “it” in question is some primo Kentish real estate.
As part and parcel of the RSL’s newly inaugurated “Scriptorium” awards, Evaristo will be gifting her English cottage to low-income writers in dire need of rooms of their own. Starting next spring, ten writers will be able to write and live in her home, gratis, for month long residency stints.
As The Bookseller reported, Evaristo is aiming to level a lopsided playing field. “Many writers don’t have a dedicated writing room to themselves, and there might be financial or family demands that are challenges to completing writing projects,” she said in a statement. “As a society, we need to build a more supportive infrastructure to help writers from every background thrive and, in so doing, keep literature, in all its life-enhancing manifestations, alive.”
Amen to that, England.
Evaristo’s cottage is about as idyllic as the word itself. Located in Kent—specifically the seaside community of Ramsgate—the well-appointed space was formerly a school. There are multiple loos, a study, and several rooms to work in. Though the host notes that no guests will be allowed. (They distract from The Work, after all!)
As The Guardian reported, interested writers will be able to apply for the residency next year, via the RSL website. There “they will be asked for details of previously published or produced works and other relevant information.” Applicants should note that Evaristo herself will not be on the adjudication panel.
Applause to the RSL, and Evaristo, for this thoughtful bit of lifting-as-we-climb. Now, we challenge an American author with a spare domicile to follow suit.
Ball’s in your court, Mr. Safran-Foer?
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