Tom Maschler approaches Bookers Books to ask for financial support in a new prize for novels
15 May 1968
Booker agrees
Booker responds that they would be delighted to finance the prize, but only if they agree with the details of how the prize will be held.
28 June 1968
Drawing up the rules
The fist meeting is held between Bookers and the Publishers Association to draft the rules of the prize
Unknown, 1968
Why a literary prize?
The arguments for a literary prize include the prestige of a grand award and pride in British novelists
1 October 1968
Making it official
As they approach the press conference announcing the prize, Bookers and the Publishers Association iron out the final details and draw up a formal agreement
