Deborah-Rogers-Foundation-INVERTED

2021 Deborah Rogers Foundation Writers Award Live Ceremony is cancelled. Now online Tuesday 7th December at 7.30pm

It is with regret that we are announcing that the 2021 Deborah Rogers Foundation Writers Award will be moving to a virtual format this year, meaning that the in-person event scheduled at The Amadeus in London is now cancelled.

The rise of Covid infections resulting from indoor gatherings is alarming and the safety of DRF guests and staff is our priority. The party is being postponed till an appropriate date in 2022, where we will look forward to celebrating together safely.

In place of the Award ceremony that was planned in London, the announcement will be made online at www.deborahrogersfoundation.org and on social media at 7.30pm on Tuesday 7th December. Colm Tóibín will announce the winner and the two runners up along with Anna James and Ingrid Persaud. Ian McEwan, a founding Trustee of the DRF, will conclude the online ceremony.

News

Summer Newsletter 2026
'Our summer newsletter is full of introductions - to the talented writers who have generously agreed to give up their time to judge the 2027 Deborah Rogers Award, and to the two young people who have won a place in this autumn's David Miller Internship Programme.' Gill Coleridge, Founder of the DRF
Announcing The Deborah Rogers Award 2027
Bernardine Evaristo chairs a panel of three judges. Two past winners celebrate publication in 2027.
Neil Rollinson’s The Dead Don’t Bleed, winner of the 2025 Deborah Rogers Award is published by Jonathan Cape to great acclaim
Neil Rollinson’s The Dead Don’t Bleed, winner of the 2025 Deborah Rogers Award is published by Jonathan Cape to great acclaim
The Trembling Hand: Reflections of a Black Woman in the Romantic Archive, is published by Hamish Hamilton
Mathelinda Nabugodi’s book of essays, The Trembling Hand: Reflections of a Black Woman in the Romantic Archive, is published by Hamish Hamilton. The Trembling Hand was winner of the 2021 Deborah Rogers Award.
Spring Newsletter 2026
"We started the year celebrating an exciting publishing deal for Deborah Rogers Award winner, Saranya Murthi, and the news that both the David Miller Internship...
Announcing the DRF David Miller Internship Programme 2026
The DRF David Miller Internship Programme returns in a new partnership with New Writing North. Two paid internships providing an entry level insight into rights and agenting in publishing.
Erica Wagner announces Saranya Murthi's novel RATRI as winner of the 2025 Deborah Rogers Award.
Erica Wagner announces Saranya Murthi's novel RATRI as winner of the 2025 Deborah Rogers Award. June Aming and Piers Kobina Buckman were shortlisted for their novels. The winner receives £10k and the two shortlisted writers, £3k each.
Shortlist of Three Announced for the 2025 Deborah Rogers Award
The judges of the 2025 Deborah Rogers Award—renowned author and literary critic Erica Wagner (chair), award-winning playwright and poet Inua Ellams, and acclaimed writer, classicist, and broadcaster Natalie Haynes —are pleased to announce the three contenders for this year's prize.
The longlist for the Deborah Rogers Award 2025 is announced - six short story collections and five novels in the running.
The Deborah Rogers Foundation (DRF) marks a decade of supporting emerging literary talent with a refreshed identity for its flagship prize, now renamed the Deborah Rogers Award.
Summer Newsletter 2025
On 4 November, judges Erica Wagner, Inua Ellams and Natalie Haynes will award the winner £10,000 to complete their first book, with highly commended entries receiving £3,000 each.