Claire Tomalin to chair judges in search for ‘surprise winner’ of The 2014 Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction

Claire Tomalin, author and historian, is to chair the judges for the 2014 Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction, the UK’s leading non-fiction prize. Joining her on the panel, at a time when non-fiction bestsellers are outselling fiction*, will be Alan Johnson MP, Financial Times Books Editor Lorien Kite, philosopher Ray Monk and historian Ruth Scurr.

Claire Tomalin comments: ‘The Samuel Johnson prize has built up a great tradition for finding surprise winners. This year we are well set to maintain the tradition, with our judges, philosopher and biographer Ray Monk, historian Ruth Scurr, politician and memoirist Alan Johnson, and journalist Lorien Kite. I am delighted to be chairing this team, and look forward to many cheerful arguments as we search for a lively, original and pellucid winning book.’

The announcement coincides with the opening of submissions for the prize. Publishers may enter up to three non-fiction books per imprint with publication dates between 1 January and 31 December 2014.  The deadline for submissions is 27 June 2014. More information about submitting books can be found on www.thesamueljohnsonprize.co.uk .

The winner of the 2014 prize will be announced on Tuesday 4^th November, following the shortlist announcement in October and longlist announcement in September (dates tbc). The winner of last year’s prize was The Pike, by Lucy Hughes-Hallett (4^th Estate), which has since gone on to win the 2013 Costa Book Award (Biography).