The Encore Award

We are currently closed for entries for this Award, please sign up to our monthly newsletter to be informed of when we are taking submissions for the next round.

The Encore Award was first presented in 1990 to celebrate the achievement of outstanding second novels. The award fills a niche in the catalogue of literary prizes. The RSL has administrated the award since 2016.

The 2020 Award

We are delighted to announce the winner of the 2020 Encore Award is Patrick McGuinness with Throw Me to the Wolves (Jonathan Cape). This is the 30th year of the Award.

The judges are RSL Fellows: Edmund Gordon, Nikita Lalwani and Eley Williams.

Please read the press release for further information.

Other books on the 2020 Shortlist were:

• David Keenan – For the Good Times (Faber & Faber)
• Billy O’Callaghan – My Coney Island Baby (Jonathan Cape)
• Shiromi Pinto – Plastic Emotions (Influx Press)
• Luiza Sauma – Everything You Ever Wanted (Viking)

Press enquiries should be sent to Annette Brook, Communications Manager, annette.brook@rsliterature.org.

For questions about awards and prizes, please contact Martha Stenhouse, General Manager, martha.stenhouse@rsliterature.org.

Watch the 2020 winner announcement below:

In celebration of the 30th year of the Award previous winners share their reflections on winning best second novel:

Past Awards
*Joint winners