Elif Shafak Takes Reins as Royal Society of Literature President
In a move that marks an exciting new chapter for the esteemed institution, renowned British-Turkish novelist Elif Shafak has been unanimously elected as the new president of the Royal Society of Literature (RSL), succeeding Bernardine Evaristo. The announcement was made after a vote among RSL fellows at their AGM on Thursday.
Shafak, celebrated author of novels such as "The Island of Missing Trees" and "There Are Rivers in the Sky", will bring her wealth of experience and passion for literature to the role. As vice-president since 2020, Shafak has been an integral part of the RSL's leadership team, and her appointment is seen as a testament to her tireless advocacy for the power of storytelling.
Shafak expressed her gratitude and humility upon being elected, citing the importance of fellowship, solidarity, and companionship in the face of growing literary challenges. "For me, the word 'fellowship' does not only mean joining an organisation of such exceptional value and history," she said. "I also want to focus on the second meaning of the word – companionship, solidarity, togetherness. We live in a world that often feels turbulent and harsh, where many in the arts feel lonely."
As president, Shafak has pledged to listen actively to fellow writers, poets, and librarians, seeking their thoughts and suggestions to shape her vision for the RSL's future. Her appointment marks an exciting moment for the society, with Evaristo hailing Shafak as a "terrifically inspired choice" who embodies the spirit of literature.
Shafak brings a wealth of literary accolades to the role, including 21 books and 13 novels translated into 58 languages. Her works have been shortlisted for numerous prestigious awards, including the Booker prize and Costa novel award.
The RSL's new president has already proven herself as a forceful advocate for literature, using her platform to bridge cultural divides and promote the power of storytelling. With Shafak at the helm, fans can expect the RSL to continue pushing the boundaries of literary excellence, fostering a sense of community and solidarity among writers, poets, and readers alike.
In a move that marks an exciting new chapter for the esteemed institution, renowned British-Turkish novelist Elif Shafak has been unanimously elected as the new president of the Royal Society of Literature (RSL), succeeding Bernardine Evaristo. The announcement was made after a vote among RSL fellows at their AGM on Thursday.
Shafak, celebrated author of novels such as "The Island of Missing Trees" and "There Are Rivers in the Sky", will bring her wealth of experience and passion for literature to the role. As vice-president since 2020, Shafak has been an integral part of the RSL's leadership team, and her appointment is seen as a testament to her tireless advocacy for the power of storytelling.
Shafak expressed her gratitude and humility upon being elected, citing the importance of fellowship, solidarity, and companionship in the face of growing literary challenges. "For me, the word 'fellowship' does not only mean joining an organisation of such exceptional value and history," she said. "I also want to focus on the second meaning of the word – companionship, solidarity, togetherness. We live in a world that often feels turbulent and harsh, where many in the arts feel lonely."
As president, Shafak has pledged to listen actively to fellow writers, poets, and librarians, seeking their thoughts and suggestions to shape her vision for the RSL's future. Her appointment marks an exciting moment for the society, with Evaristo hailing Shafak as a "terrifically inspired choice" who embodies the spirit of literature.
Shafak brings a wealth of literary accolades to the role, including 21 books and 13 novels translated into 58 languages. Her works have been shortlisted for numerous prestigious awards, including the Booker prize and Costa novel award.
The RSL's new president has already proven herself as a forceful advocate for literature, using her platform to bridge cultural divides and promote the power of storytelling. With Shafak at the helm, fans can expect the RSL to continue pushing the boundaries of literary excellence, fostering a sense of community and solidarity among writers, poets, and readers alike.
she seems like someone who genuinely cares about bringing people together through literature. i mean, her words about fellowship and companionship really resonate with me 
it's so refreshing to see someone in a leadership role prioritizing connection over competition. i'm excited to see what kind of initiatives she'll bring to the RSL 
. The arts have always needed more than just funding and recognition; they need people who genuinely care about creating connections between us 
. And I think that's exactly what Shafak brings to the table – she knows how powerful storytelling can be in bridging gaps and fostering empathy 
. It's like she's saying, "Hey, let's not just write words on a page; let's write words that make people feel something." 
Can't wait to see what she does with this role!
! I've read some of her books and she's just incredible - her stories are like a warm hug for your soul 
. As president, Shafak seems to be all about fostering community and solidarity among writers, poets, and readers... I think that's something we all need more of in today's world 
! i'm so stoked to see Elif Shafak taking over as president of the Royal Society of Literature 
she's been killing it with her books for years and now she gets to lead a org that's all about promoting lit 
i'm looking forward to seeing what she'll do next with the rsl, can't wait to see more literary events and initiatives 
what i love most about this news is that she wants to focus on companionship, solidarity, and fellowship among writers and readers - it's like she's saying "hey, let's lift each other up" 
So Elif Shafak is now the president of the Royal Society of Literature? That's cool, I guess. But what makes her so special that she got unanimously elected? I mean, I've heard of her books, but how many times have they won awards? And 58 languages, huh? That's a lot, but it doesn't necessarily mean she's the best person for the job. What's her actual plan to make literature better? 
And what about all those literary accolades? Do we really need that many awards to prove someone is good at writing? I'm not trying to be negative, just a bit curious...
she's literally my spirit animal 
think this is super dope move by Elif Shafak, like she's got the perfect balance of being a fellow writer and a strong advocate for the arts 
.
can't wait to see what's next for this amazing institution 
. Bring it on!
- I mean, Elif Shafak's got skills for days! 21 books translated into 58 languages? that's some next-level literary cred. She's all about promoting the power of storytelling & bridging cultural divides, which is music to my ears 
As someone who's passionate about creating online communities (hello, thread architecture 
), I'm excited to see Shafak use her platform to amplify the voices of writers and readers from all walks of life 
I stayed in this adorable little cottage with a huge garden full of wildflowers 
It was so peaceful and relaxing, I almost forgot about all my worries 
Did you know that there's this one species of butterfly that can't fly if it's too cold outside? 
Anyway, back to Elif Shafak... I've been meaning to read some of her books for ages now 
she's literally one of my favorite authors ever! I mean have you read "The Island of Missing Trees" 
but Shafak seems like someone who gets it 
Whatever it is, I've got a feeling it's gonna be good!