£10,000 WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING ‘PAPERBACK’ PRIZE IS ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS

Open to novels written in English by authors of any nationality, the award seeks the books that enthral readers, inspire curiosity, and push the boundaries of adventure as genre. Eligible works must be published in paperback in the UK between 1st May 2025 and 30th April 2026.

2026 marks the tenth anniversary of the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. Foundation Director, Georgina Brown, says, “Over the past decade, the Prize has championed the books that take readers beyond the familiar, into the realms of discovery and human connection. Past winners have embraced global settings, given us stories that banish all expectations and showed us the scope of what adventure can be, allowing us to recommend ‘An Adventure for Everyone’.”

She continues, “As we look towards our next ten years, we’ve had to ask ourselves, are we being impactful in our aim to reach "everyone" in more than just taste? What does ‘everyone’ mean beyond the content of the fantastic novels we work with? In response, the Prize now accepts submissions from the point they’re published in paperback, within the timeframe. We’re excited to see whether this shift can help improve access and affordability for readers, and, in turn, find new audiences for what we know will be a thrilling shortlist of books.”

Bookshops across the UK are invited to request physical and digital point of sale materials, to support sales of the shortlist over the summer months. Bookshops can sign up now, with the first 100 shops receiving the materials: https://forms.gle/W3x6cFFHv5mDoM5k8

Publishers and literary agents are invited to submit eligible books via the Prize website, where the full eligibility criteria and terms and conditions can also be found. Submissions close on 6th February 2026 at 23:59 GMT. The New Voices award for aspiring writers and Author of Tomorrow award for young writers are also open for submissions.

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Press Contact: Charlotte Maddox | Prize Manager e: charlotte@wilbur-niso-smithfoundation.org | 07792 614652

i: @adventurewritingprize | f: @WNSmithFoundation | x: @Wilbur_Niso_Fdn w: www.wilbur-niso-smithfoundation.org

NOTES FOR EDITORS

More information about the Prize’s shift to paperback can be found on our website: ● The ‘Paperback Prize’ - 10 Years in the Making: An open letter to our community to demonstrate the impact we imagine ● Out Now In Paperback: An article explaining why we’re making the shift to paperback

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION:

The Prize is awarded by The Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation, a charity established in 2015 by the late bestselling author Wilbur Smith and his wife, Niso. The Foundation empowers writers, promotes literacy and advances adventure writing as a genre, working to uplift, inspire and educate. Through our work, we reach out to writers and readers across the world, ensuring everyone can have their own adventures through the words on a page.