From the Women’s Prize Archives.

It’s that time of year again when we put the call out for reading groups and book clubs to get involved with the Women’s Prize for Fiction, the UK’s most prestigious annual book award celebrating and honouring fiction by women. The Prize celebrates excellence, originality and accessibility in writing by women in English from throughout the world.

This year, we are looking for six reading groups to shadow the shortlist of the 2021 Prize. Each group will receive a set of copies of one shortlisted title, which you will need to read and review before the winner is announced on 7 July.

If your group would like to take part, please apply via The Reading Agency website by 27 April 2021. Groups will be selected and books will be sent following the shortlist announcement on 28 April 2021 with a questionnaire to fill. All questionnaires will need to be returned before the winner announcement on 7 July.

We are particularly looking for groups in which members have felt the benefit of being part of a reading group during the Covid-19 pandemic, providing connection and escapism from loneliness, isolation and the humdrum of lockdown. We want to know what impact your reading group has made to your members, and why your group would like to be involved in this opportunity. We also particularly welcome applications from book clubs and groups with members who are key workers, those from low-income backgrounds, and parents who have been home schooling. Please contact kathryn.rose@readingagency.org.uk if you have any questions.