For Adults
The Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize is inviting twelve UK-based book clubs to shadow the 2026 Prize and contribute to the judging process.
Each group will receive a set (up to ten print copies) of one shortlisted book to read and review by 10th August, before the winner is announced on 17th September. Find out more about the shortlist.
Groups will be selected and sent copies of the book by the end of June 2026. Additional e-book and audio book editions will be available for groups who request them.
“Having taken part last year less than 2 months after our book club started, the Adventure Writing Prize has had a huge impact on our book club already – giving us our first ‘project’ to work on together. It developed our friendships, giving us something to work on together when we were all practically strangers, and helped us build the foundations of our community and ‘togetherness’ that is now such an important part of our group.” – Boozy & Bookish
All groups with members aged 18+ are welcome to apply, whether you’ve been meeting for years or are thinking about forming a new book club. We are keen to have some groups who are engaged with social media to increase the reach of the Prize, but don’t let this put you off applying. We hope to see participants of all ages and genders from across the UK. As well as copies of the book, groups will have access to discussion sheets and are invited to attend an online meeting to discuss their book with the author themselves!
These author events will take place during the evenings of the w/c 27th July and w/c 7th August, 6-7pm, for approximately an hour. We will work with you to ensure attendance is possible – it’s always a special meeting and nice to have a full ‘room’!
Selected groups are asked to send a group photo and bio to be used on websites and social media (of The Reading Agency and the Prize). In addition, they will be asked to share their experience on social media where possible, answer a questionnaire giving feedback and can provide reviews on the titles they have read if they would like their thoughts to be considered by the 2026 Judges, all experts whose work straddles adventure and storytelling, by 10th August 2025. The Reading Agency will host a virtual meeting with two members from each of the selected groups on Thursday 25th June, 6-7pm, so we can meet you, introduce you to each other and you can ask questions about the process. Each group will receive a minimum of one ticket to join the awards reception in London, on 17th September 2026.
To be considered, please complete the form below by midday on Monday 8 June.
Please do not enter if your club does not wish to engage with any of the activities outlined above.
Key Dates:
8 June, 12pm: Closing date for book clubs to apply to shadow the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize
25 June, 6pm: Virtual meeting with two members of each group and the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize
27 July – 7 August: Zoom meeting with the author of their allocated title
10 August: Feedback from each group to be sent to The Reading Agency
17 September: Announcement of the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize winner
Image © The Book Photographer
