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- Philip Pullman
The Society of Authors is a non-profit making organisation, founded in 1884,
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Prizes, grants and awards
Medical Book Awards
The Society of Authors administers nine prizes – sponsored by the Royal Society of Medicine and awarded annually – for medical books published in Britain. The principle aim of the prizes is to encourage authors who work in the UK and write for medical students, medical professionals or the general public. Entry is by publisher.
The deadline for entry to the 2008 prizes is now closed and the 229 entries have been judged. The winning and commended titles will be announced at a reception at the RSM, 1 Wimpole Street, London on the evening of 29th October, where Alexander McCall Smith will be guest of honour. Attendance at the event is by invitation only.
The Judges
The prizes are judged by members of the Society of Authors’ Medical Writers Group and their professional colleagues.
This year the judges are: Dr William Marshall (Chair), Dr Jeff Aronson, Mrs Barbara Bain, Dr Simon Davies, Dr Michael Feher, Mr Colin Johnson, Dr Leon Kaufman, Mr David Mitchell, Dr Jason Payne-James, Dr Anne Stephenson and Professor Gareth Williams.
The Prizes
The Society of Authors and Royal Society of Medicine award the following prizes for excellence in medical writing:
The Richard Asher Prize (£1,200)
Sponsored anonymously, the Richard Asher Prize is for a first edition textbook aimed at undergraduate students by not more than three authors. Cost, readability, and accuracy of information for students will be the most important considerations.
New Authored Book (£1,200)
For first edition books for postgraduates, including professional and reference books.
New Edited Book (£1,800 in total)
For first edition books for undergraduates or postgraduates, including professional and reference books. Two prizes of £900 are awarded: for the best book with a retail price of less than £75, and for the best book retailing at £75 or over.
New Non-Clinical Medical Book (£600)
For first edition books on medical history, medical ethics, medical education, medical humanities, or other non-clinical aspects of health care.
New Edition Authored Book (£600)
For second or subsequent edition books for undergraduates or postgraduates. Books that have previously won a Society of Authors/RSM Award will not be eligible.
New Edition Edited Book (£600)
For second or subsequent edition books for undergraduates or postgraduates. Books that have previously won a Society of Authors/RSM Award will not be eligible.
The Minty Prize of the Medico-Legal Society (£1,000)
Sponsored by the Medico-Legal Society this award is for first or subsequent edition medico-legal books. The Medico-Legal Society promotes medico-legal knowledge in all its aspects through regular meetings at which papers are read and discussed. It has provided education and information on medico-legal matters for more than a century. See www.medico-legalsociety.org.uk for further information.
New Medical or Healthcare Book for the General Reader (£600)
Sponsored by the RSM Department of Membership Services, this award is for first edition medical or healthcare books that are aimed at informing patients, carers or the general public.
The RSM Library Prize – The Society of Authors and RSM Medical Book of the Year (£1,200)
Sponsored by the RSM Library, the book of the year is chosen from the winners of each category.
Please contact Sarah Baxter for further information.