Writing Competition: The Tom Grass Spirit of Adventure Literary Prize

The Tom Grass Spirit of Adventure Literary Prize celebrates the spirit of our friend Tom Grass - a multi-talented writer, avid reader, and fearless traveller.

Open to emerging writers aged 25+, the prize welcomes short pieces of stand-alone prose in either Fiction or Non-Fiction (1,500 - 3,000 words). It can be adapted from a longer work but must be satisfying to read by itself.

The prize invites writers from all walks of life, whether writing a short story, essay, memoir, piece of reportage, historical investigation, or other hybrid form, as long as the writer reflects the sensibility of the prize.

The prize is not aimed at the action-adventure genre nor limited to the idea of physical adventure. We invite writers to grapple with the spirit of adventure in any way they interpret. Pieces will be read and judged on their literary merit and their engagement with the general reader.

The Prize is a not-for-profit foundation, created and run by friends and family of Tom Grass.

Open to emerging writers over the age of 25, the Prize celebrates creative storytelling with a focus on the spirit of adventure. Through readings and an annual award ceremony in London, we will come together to celebrate life’s bold journeys and the stories they inspire.

The Tom Grass Prize is open to all writers from all over the world who are over the age of 25 and writing in the English language.

Entrants must not be represented by a Literary Agent and must not have any previous or new book under contract with a mainstream publisher for the duration of the prize.

The word count is between 1,500 and 3,000 words.

The entry can be either fiction or non-fiction and must be a stand-alone piece of prose.

Entrants are invited to reflect the spirit of adventure in subject matter and/or style in whichever way and in however broad a sense the writer interprets this.

Entry Fee: Free before Feb. 28; 15 pounds March 1-31, 2026

Prizes

1st prize: £1,000

Two runners-up prizes: £500 each

All three finalists will be offered a meeting with a Literary Agent.

Final entry closes: 31 March 2026

More information and submission link here.