The launch of the 2025 Winston Graham Historical Fiction Prize
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 the 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 £3,000 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 here at the 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.
Charlotte said: “After the extremely high standard of entries last year, and the many wonderful reads the shortlisting process gave the official readers and judging panel, we are positively rubbing our hands together with excitement as we launch the 2025 Winston Graham Historical Fiction Prize.”
Jonathan Morton, Executive Director of the Royal Cornwall Museum, added: “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 30th November; 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 sixty 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; for updates on the progress of the award, keep an eye on our social media accounts.
Anyone interested in becoming a reader for the Winston Graham Historical Fiction Prize is invited to email [email protected].