PRESS: Longlist Revealed, 2026 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize

"A Decade of Adventure": £10,000 Adventure Writing Prize Longlist Announced

We are delighted to announce the longlist for the £10,000 2026 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. All housing adventure within their pages, the books reflect the many places adventure can be found, spanning historical fiction to contemporary fiction, alongside crime, science fiction, eco-thriller, and, for the first time in the Prize’s history, horror.

Curated by a dedicated panel of librarians and library staff from across the UK, the longlist comprises American, British, British-Nigerian, Irish, Indian, and Malaysian authors, and includes three debut novels as well as recognition for three independent presses. 

Our tenth year marks a change for the Prize. As published in The Bookseller earlier this year, we now work with books from the point they are published in paperback. In doing so, we hope that our ethos of ‘An Adventure for Everyone’, extends beyond the content of the novels. Our belief that paperback books are more accessible and affordable for readers, both library-users and the book-buying public, guided our decision, which has been substantiated by a 48% increase in entries since 2025.

Melissa Ames, Assistant Library Manager at Inspire Mansfield Central Library, and Prize panellist, said: 

“The exciting and welcome shift to books released in paperback within the past year gives library services greater buying power, enabling them to fully support the Prize and ensure that both physical and digital editions of shortlisted titles reach as many readers as possible.

Once again, the longlist reflects the Foundation’s commitment to championing adventure writing for everyone. These titles promise immersive journeys across both geography and time. Readers will travel from ancient Thebes to present‑day Chicago, via 19th‑century Nigeria, 1920s London and post‑independence India. Along the way, there is the opportunity to relive the joy of childhood reading through a choose‑your‑own adventure; to consider how you would face an imminent nuclear attack; to delve into the world of a secret society sworn to protect magical artefacts; and to explore the aftermath of Boudicca’s failed rebellion against Rome via her eldest daughter. Prepare to lose yourself in this exceptional longlist, and discover your own kind of adventure within the pages.”

Booksellers are invited to engage directly this year. To match the our work with libraries, UK bookshops can access free digital and physical materials to promote the titles. Those who register for materials will also be in with a chance of securing credit for their bookshop to purchase stock that builds their selection of adventure titles. Booksellers can register here.

Niso Smith, Prize Founder, said:

“It feels fortuitous to be celebrating a decade of adventure fiction in the National Year of Reading. Adventure stories are a gateway into reading for both children and adults, but they can also offer devoted readers something new - such as this expansive longlist does!

Wilbur Smith shared over 60 years of his adventures with the world and now, we’re proudly working with readers to celebrate and support the contemporary writers who are redefining the genre. The focus on paperback will allow us to bring adventure stories to even more readers, and to do so with such accomplished books is incredibly exciting. Congratulations to each of the authors!”

From the longlist, six titles will be selected for the shortlist before being considered by 2026’s judging panel. The 2026 judging panel is Josh Adeyemi, outdoor influencer, content creator & Founder of Black Scottish Adventurers; Alex Bescoby, filmmaker, author and broadcaster; Costanza Casati, author and winner of the 2025 Adventure Writing Prize; Preet Chandi, record-breaking army officer and Polar Explorer; and Tamsin Collison, audio director and producer. Additionally, readers will be invited to cast three online votes which, collated, will represent one seat on the judging panel.

The shortlist for the Prize will be revealed on 28th May, and the winner will be announced on 17th September at the Prize’s awards reception at Foyles, Charing Cross Road, London.

Have you read any of these novels yet? Get in touch with us on Instagram, X and Facebook, using #AdventureWritingPrize.