Enter the prize
The best stories are true: 26 years of books that matter.
How publishers can enter books for the prize
The competition is open to living authors of any nationality whose work is published in the UK in English. Self-published works, where the author also owns or controls the publisher, are ineligible. Books must be published in English in the UK between 1 November 2024 and 31 October 2025.
The prize was first awarded in 1999 and is now worth £50,000 to the winning author.
For any translated work recognised by the judges on the prize’s shortlist or as its winner, 75% of the available prize money will be awarded to the author and 25% will be awarded to the translator(s).
In order for the judges to assess entries fairly and efficiently, it is essential that publishers send proofs of the submitted title(s) in good time before the first meeting.
Read the rules and conditions of entry.
Publishers can recommend a book for a call-in.