Melvyn Bragg

It has been announced that from next year the Man Booker Prize will be open to all authors across the English-speaking world, including America. Previously, the prestigious literary award only considered those within the British, Irish or Commonwealth nations, which excluded the USA.

Hilary Mantel Won The Man Booker Prize Last Year.

The Man Booker Prize have announced that all English-speaking authors will now be eligible, "from Chicago, Sheffield or Shanghai" to "recognise, celebrate and embrace" writers from across the globe. Furthermore, the novel submissions rules will change, meaning publishing houses who have previously had books featured on longlists will be allowed more entries.

Continue reading: Decision To Include US Books In Man Booker Prize Splits Critics

The Man Booker Prize has served as the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Commonwealth's most prestigious award for books and authors since it's inception in 1969. On Sunday, 15 September, The Sunday Times reported that a change was heading it's way, as authors from the other side of the pond will be able to submit entries to the award for the first time ever starting in 2014.

Hilary Mantel won the award last year

The report from the Times revealed plans from the heads of the award to open the prize up to a wider pool of talent, and in doing so open it up to a wider audience. In a bid further cement the reputation of the Man Booker Prize as the one of world's leading awards for writers, the organisers have deemed the American market as a keen demographic to infiltrate and ensure that interest is maintained and entries are still regularly submitted. According to the Times, "the organisers increasingly believe that excluding writers from America is anachronistic. The Booker committee believes US writers must be allowed to compete to ensure the award's global reputation."

Continue reading: The Man Booker Prize Will Allow American Authors To Enter For The First Time In 2014

It may have missed out on an Oscar nomination for best film, but the latest James Bond film has added to its extensive list of accolades by picking up Best Film at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards; the ceremony was hosted by Lord Bragg in London at lunchtime today (March, 12).

Skyfall - the most successful British Film since box office records began - beat psychological thriller Berberian Sound Studio and documentary The Imposter to the award. Skyfall producer Barbara Broccoli said winning the award was ‘an honour’. Elsewhere, Tom Stoppard's BBC2 adaptation of Ford Maddox Ford's Parade's End won the drama award, beating out fellow Shakespeare adaptations The Hollow Crown and police thriller Line of Duty. The Visual Arts award went to Thomas Heatherwick's London 2012 cauldron, while Twenty Twelve picked up the comedy prize, making it a solid afternoon for the BBC. Jessie Ware, who performed at the ceremony and was awarded with the Pop Music award, provided entertainment while Julie Walters received the Outstanding Achievement Award.

Continue reading: Skyfall Is The South Bank Sky Arts Awards’ Best Film