The Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation Opens Submissions for the 2026 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prizes
The Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation invites publishers, literary agents, and the global reading community to take part in one of the most respected awards in adventure fiction — the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. Created to honour powerful, imaginative, and culturally rich storytelling, this prize shines a spotlight on novels that transport readers into unforgettable worlds of courage, discovery, and human resilience.
With a £10,000 cash award presented annually to one outstanding author, this prize celebrates stories that go beyond entertainment — stories that connect cultures, expand perspectives, and ignite a love for adventure in readers everywhere.
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CHECK OUT THIS WRITING COMPETITION
🌍 What the Prize Represents
The Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize is not limited to one type of adventure. Instead, it embraces a wide and evolving definition of the genre. Winning and shortlisted titles over the years have ranged across historical epics, modern thrillers, cross-cultural journeys, and genre-blending narratives that defy easy classification.
The prize is built on one powerful idea:
“There is an adventure for everyone.”
Writers from any nationality are welcome to enter, as long as their novel is written in English and meets the publication requirements.
📚 What Kind of Stories Are Eligible?
To qualify as an adventure novel under the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize, a book must do more than tell a story — it must take readers on a journey. Eligible novels are expected to:
Transport readers across new horizons, whether historical, geographical, or emotional
Explore powerful themes such as courage, endurance, and survival
Introduce readers to new cultures, unfamiliar realities, or distant worlds
Keep pages turning through strong, compelling storytelling and high-quality writing
In short, these are stories that immerse, challenge, and inspire.
🏆 How the Judging Works
Each year, submissions go through a thoughtful and inclusive selection process.
First, a panel of librarians and library professionals from across the UK reviews all eligible entries to create the longlist and shortlist. These professionals bring a deep understanding of readers and literary quality, helping ensure that the selected books truly reflect the spirit of adventure fiction.
From there, the final six shortlisted titles are evaluated by an expert judging panel made up of specialists in literature and adventure storytelling. The judges assess how each novel honours the traditions of the genre while also pushing it forward in exciting new ways.
CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION
📅 2026 Submission Timeline
For the 2026 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize, submissions will be open from:
📆 January 9 to February 6, 2026
⏰ Deadline: 23:59 (GMT)
To be eligible, books must be published in paperback in the UK between:
May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026
This requirement reflects the Prize’s commitment to accessibility and growing readership, ensuring that nominated books are widely available to readers.
APPLY HERE
🌟 A Global Platform for Adventure Writers
The Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize is more than a literary award — it is a celebration of bold voices, rich storytelling, and the enduring power of adventure. By highlighting diverse settings, cultures, and storytelling styles, the Prize continues to redefine what adventure fiction can be in the modern world.
If your novel invites readers to explore the unknown, confront danger, and discover something new about humanity, then this could be the perfect stage for your work.
📣 Spread the Word
Don’t keep this opportunity to yourself.
Tag a writer, share with friends, and let others know.
Your story could be the one that inspires a new beginning—for you and for someone else.
Write. Inspire. Win.
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