The search for the Winston Graham Historical Fiction Prize winner for 2025 has begun, with submissions now open for historical novels set in the UK and Ireland with a strong sense of place.
The prestigious literary prize is the result of a legacy left to the Royal Cornwall Museum by the author, most famous for his Poldark series of historical novels set in Cornwall, who died in 2003.
The prize was relaunched last year with updated criteria for entry, a stellar panel of judges, and a prize of £3k for the winning entry.
The 2024 standard of entries was described as “outstanding” by chair of the judges, Charlotte Hobson, with the shortlisted authors representing “six of the most original and extraordinary storytellers writing today”.
At a glittering award ceremony at Royal Cornwall Museum, the prize was awarded by Louis de Bernières to fellow novelist Benjamin Myers for Cuddy, described by the judges as “an unusual, touching book, an extraordinary reading experience”.
Now, the hunt has started for a worthy successor to Myers, as submissions officially opened this week.
Jonathan Morton, executive director of the Royal Cornwall Museum, said: “We’re thrilled to be embarking on the hunt for more great storytelling, and memorable characters who give us fresh perspectives on the past. As our project to transform the museum itself gathers pace, the theme of looking at history afresh has never been more relevant.”
The invitation for appropriate submissions has gone out to publishers across the UK and Ireland with a closing date of November 30; the submissions form can also be found here.
To be considered, novels must have been published in the UK between September 2023 and October 2024, set at least 60 years ago in the UK and Ireland, and written by authors resident in the UK.
The shortlist will be announced in March 2025, and the award ceremony will take place at the museum in the spring.
