Entries are arriving for The Orwell Prize 2013

Thursday 08 November 2012

The Orwell Prize 2013 is now open for entries and we’re so excited to be receiving books every day. If you’re thinking of entering, watch our new launch ad to hear the thoughts of Orwell Prize Director Jean Seaton, 2013 book judge Nikita Lalwani and 2013 journalism judge Jo Glanville on this forthcoming year. Entry forms for both prizes, as well as important dates for 2013, are available on our ‘How to Enter’ page. You can also see the full rules and the values of the Prize, or see more about our full panel of judges. Entries close on 9th January 2013, for all work first published in 2012. The Prize is self-nominating, but if you think there’s someone who should enter, either encourage them to do so or get in touch.

Third judge for the 2013 journalism panel

We are delighted to share with you that Chris Mullin has joined Jo Glanville and Nicholas Timmins to complete this year’s journalism judging panel. Chris Mullin is an author, a journalist and a politician. He was MP for Sunderland South for 23 years; a minister in three departments and chairman of the Home Affairs select committee. As a writer Chris’ books include three highly acclaimed volumes of diaries, the latest of which is A walk on part. He has also written three novels. As a journalist he has contributed to all major outlets and many more. Chris is chairman for the Heritage Lottery Fund North East and judged the Man Booker Prize in 2011.

From the archive

If you are thinking about entering it may also interest you to read the 2012 winning pieces from Amelia Gentleman, Rangers Tax-Case and the first chapter from Toby Harnden’s Dead Men Risen. These are all available on our website as well as much more from previous years.

From elsewhere

  • If you missed out on the this year’s cabaret-style play ‘One Georgie Orwell’, you can catch it at the Idea Store Whitechapel on Friday 16th November at 7pm. Get you free ticket here
  • This week 2012 blogging longlistee Alex Massie turned to Orwell for inspiration to write this great piece; A lesson for Alex Salmond from George Orwell
  • Orwell Prize winning Matthew Parris and longlistee Juliet Jacques are among The Pink List’s most influential journalists of 2012
  • It has been confirmed that Andy Serkis, who starred in The Lord of the Rings franchise, is due to direct a new film production of Animal Farm
  • The wartime diaries

    The last entry was published on 15th October 1942. The next and final entry will be published on 15th November 1942. Don’t forget our other Orwell Diary blogs: his Hop-Picking Diary and The Road to Wigan Pier Diary. You can sign up to our newsletter If you’ve got any suggestions about our website(s), we’d love to hear from you – email us on katriona.lewis@mediastandardstrust.org. You can also follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.