The Polari Prize

The leading LGBTQ+ literary prize returns to the British Library.

Hosted by author and Polari founder, Paul Burston, the event features a sparkling lineup of former Polari Prize winners and surprise guests plus the announcement of this year’s winning books in the two categories – debut and non-debut – with the biannual prize for children’s / YA books back next year.

Described by The Huffington Post as ‘the most exciting literary movement in London, crackling with energy, ideas, excitement’, Polari was founded in 2007 in a bar in Soho. Since then, the salon has become a key feature of London’s literary scene, showcasing emerging and established LGBTQ+ authors, poets and spoken word performers at a variety of arts centres, book festivals, libraries, museums and queer commercial venues like Heaven nightclub and The RVT.

Writers who’ve appeared at Polari include Amrou Al-Kadhi, Neil Bartlett, Dustin Lance Black, Russell T Davies, Juno Dawson, Bernardine Evaristo, Patrick Gale, Nikita Gill, Niven Govinden, Garth Greenwell, Philip Hensher, Juliet Jacques, Jackie Kay, Val McDermid, Andrew McMillan, Charlotte Mendelson, Fiona Mozley, Musa Okwonga, Okechukwu Nzelu, Diriye Osman, Juno Roche, Ali Smith, Diana Souhami, Joelle Taylor, Paula Varjack and Sarah Waters.

Ticket prices are as follows:
Full Price: £10.00
Member: £10.00
Student: £5.00
Disabled: £5.00
Registered Unemployed: £5.00
Senior (60+): £8.50
Young Person (18-25): £5.00