NEWS: Shortlist Revealed, 2025 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize

‘Relationships, Power and Consequences:’ £10,000 Adventure Writing Prize Shortlist Announced

Six novels are shortlisted for the 2025 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize, and their authors in the running for the £10,000 award. They are:

Babylonia by Costanza Casati (Penguin Michael Joseph)

Sycorax by Nydia Hetherington (Quercus)

Redemption by Jack Jordan (Simon & Schuster)

A House for Miss Pauline by Diana McCaulay (Dialogue Books)

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao (Bantam, Transworld, Penguin Random House)

Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, Orion Publishing Group)

American, British, Filipina and Jamaican authors are represented on this year’s shortlist. Hand-selected by a panel of librarians and library staff from the UK, the titles were nominated for their bold ideas, ability to transport a reader, and irresistible power to make us turn the next page. Submissions were open to writers of all nationalities, writing in English.

Jonathan Gibbs, Librarian at The City of London’s Barbican Library, said: 

“This year’s shortlist offers the reader rich literary treasures, worlds to explore and immerse yourself in. You will engage with realms reimagined, lose yourself in thrilling personal journeys by characters who will carry you with them, and fantasies you won’t want to end. As a panellist for the Prize, I was fortunate to experience all of that.”

The six shortlisted novels are now in the hands of the judging panel, all literary or adventure experts. This year’s panel comprises Nathan Gray, former high-risk test pilot and one of Britain’s most decorated military aviators; Keme Nzerem, journalist, filmmaker and co-founder of Opening Up The Outdoors; Francesca de Tores, author, academic and winner of the 2024 Adventure Writing Prize; and Corinne Turner, literary IP consultant and former Managing Director of Ian Fleming Publications. 

When asked what she would be looking for, Francesca de Tores said: 

"I’m excited to read the shortlisted novels. I’ll be looking for books in which the adventure is not just in the subject matter but also in the language – vibrant novels that dare to take risks, and to expand our understanding of what adventure writing can be."

The Prize also celebrates readers, providing a programme of activity for them to participate in. An online ‘Readers’ Vote’ will take place over the summer, allowing the public to award three votes to one, two or three different titles. Votes will be collated and, combined, will represent an additional seat on the panel, ensuring reader opinion plays a role in deciding the winner.

Through a partnership with The Reading Agency, UK-based book clubs are invited to shadow the judging. Twelve book clubs will each receive copies of one shortlisted title, which they will be asked to read, discuss and provide feedback for. Participating clubs will be invited to discuss the novel with the author and their thoughts will be shared with the judges. Libraries across the UK are also able to access digital and physical packs containing posters, discussion sheets, bookmarks and stickers, to help them bring these books to their communities.

Niso Smith, Founder, said: 

“These books are written by six of the most exciting voices in contemporary adventure fiction. Their stories speak of epic landscapes and high-stakes journeys, but also identity, our need to belong, relationships, power and consequences, just like in all Wilbur’s novels.

The novels are narrated with such confidence, which gives me faith that the human desire to learn about people and the world is still present today, despite the progression of AI. A great adventure novel will always expand minds and invite curiosity. Congratulations to all six authors, and to readers, we invite you to read, share, and recommend these books.”

The winner for Best Published Novel award will be revealed in the autumn at a private ceremony in London, UK. Also being celebrated will be the New Voices award for aspiring writers and the Author of Tomorrow award for writers aged 21 years and under who have completed a short piece of adventure writing.