Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize
The Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize is an international prize that supports and celebrates the adventure writing of today, recognising outstanding storytelling that engages and inspires readers.
We work with published, unpublished and young writers. Our work is open to writers of any nationality, writing in English:
Key dates for 2026 are:
Adventure Writing Prize:
- 9th January: Submissions Open
- 6th February: Submissions Close
- 30th April: Longlist Announcement
- 28th May: Shortlist Announcement
- 17th September: Winner Announcement
New Voices:
- 9th January: Submissions Open
- 28th February: Early Bird Submissions Close
- 30th April: Standard Submissions Close
- 17th September: Winner Announcement
Author of Tomorrow:
- 9th January: Submissions Open
- 19th April: Submissions Close
- 2nd July: Shortlist & Commendation Announcement
- 17th September: Winner Announcement
If you have any questions regarding any of our Awards, you can find more information on our Prize pages by clicking the icons above.
Volunteer Opportunities:
- 5th January - 25th January (now closed): Adventure Writing Prize Librarian Review Panel Opportunity open for applications. The opportunity is open to UK-based Librarians and Library Staff only. This includes Voluntary Librarians as well as Library Staff from schools, universities, public libraries and private libraries, as well as the recently retired. Volunteers must be available for an hour-long online training session, on either Tuesday 3rd February (7-8pm) or Wednesday 4th February (1-2pm). Find out more: OPPORTUNITY: Seeking Volunteer Librarians.
- 12th March - 12th April: Author of Tomorrow Review Panel Opportunity open for applications. Volunteers must have relevant experience and be available for an hour-long online training session, on Wednesday 22nd April (7-8pm) or Thursday 23rd April (1-2pm). More details will be available on our news page when the opportunity is open.