The Tom Grass Prize is currently open to all writers from all over the world who are over the age of 25 and writing in the English language.
The Tom Grass Prize 2026
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.
Prizes for the Tom Grass Prize 2026
1st prize: £1,000
Two runners-up prizes: £500 each
All three finalists will be offered a meeting with a Literary Agent.
Judging Process for the Tom Grass Prize 2026
All entries will be logged and verified to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria.
A group of volunteer readers and supporters of the Prize will review all submissions blind (without seeing author names). Through discussion and a democratic selection process, this team will create a long list of standout entries.
The final judging panel will then read the longlisted works and select three prize-winning pieces - one overall winner and two runners-up. They will be announced at a ceremony in London on 11th June 2026, and simultaneously in a press release.
The judging panel is chaired by literary agent Laetitia Rutherford and includes leading figures from publishing, travel, and the arts.
How to Enter the Tom Grass Prize 2026
To enter the Tom Grass Literary Prize, please submit your piece of between 1,500 and 3,000 words maximum using the website entry form below..
Material should be submitted as a PDF document (or in Word format), in a clear font, point size 12. Please include with the piece a brief one paragraph outline to introduce or give context to it, including reference to your personal background if you consider this relevant.
Filenames should be the ‘Title of Work.’ All pages should be numbered and include the ‘Title of Work’ as a footer or header.
The entry must be written in the English Language, in prose, in any genre of Fiction or Non Fiction as long as it reflects, in whichever way the writer interprets, the sensibility of the Tom Grass Prize.
Entrants are permitted only one entry each and entries on behalf of another person will not be accepted. Joint submissions are permitted but should be sent only once, on behalf of both authors, subject to both authors consenting to entering and being eligible.
Entries should be uploaded to the website portal any time between 1st November 2025 and March 31st 2026, with the deadline closing at midnight, UK time, on March 31st 2026. All entries will be read by the Tom Grass Prize team of supporters, who will create a longlist to be submitted to the Jury.
The Tom Grass Prize is free to enter before 28th February 2026 and £15 to enter in March 2026.
The official information page.
%20(1).jpeg)
.png)
%20(3).jpeg)
COMMENTS