The social club for everyone professionally concerned with literature and the publishing industry

Shortlist for the 2026 Best First Novel Award

Mar 23, 2026 | Prizes

The Authors’ Club is delighted to announce the shortlist for the 2026 Best First Novel Award, now in its 72nd year. Lucy Popescu, chairing the judging panel, commented: “We are delighted to announce our shortlist of six thrilling debuts. These talented novelists...

Andrew Lownie at The Authors’ Club

Mar 14, 2026 | Lunches

In his welcome speech, Authors Club president John Walsh joked about how ‘news responsive’ we were in getting Andrew Lownie to talk about his book ‘Entitled: The rise and fall of the house of York’. It was the very day Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested under...

Longlist announced for Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award 2026

Feb 23, 2026 | Prizes

Today, the Authors’ Club announces the longlist for the annual Best First Novel Award, now in its 72nd year. The longlisted books are as follows: Rupert Dastur Cloudless (Fig Tree) Christina Fonthes Where You Go, I Will Go (Tinder Press) Connor Hutchinson Dead Lucky...

Nicola Williams at the Authors’ Club

Feb 15, 2026 | Lunches

We were delighted to welcome back the Crown Court judge, barrister and crime novelist Nicola Williams to our first Authors’ Club lunch of 2026. She last addressed us in August 2023, so we know what a wealth of experience, insight and forensic precision she brings to...

Our Absent Friend – Geoff Gudgion

Feb 15, 2026 | Member News

By Nigel C. Winter The Authors’ Club has already written a touching tribute to our friend Geoff Gudgion. However, the duration of my brief association with Geoff followed a very particular course. During that time, I bore witness to the esteem in which he was...