- Entrants must be over the age of 25 as of 1st November 2025 when submissions open. Entrants can live anywhere in the world, and we encourage entrants from all backgrounds.
- Entries must be written in the English Language.
- Entrants will not be eligible if they have a previous or new book under contract with a mainstream publisher, but are eligible if they have a book self-published or by an academic or specialist publisher.
- Entrants must not be represented by a literary agent for the duration of the prize.
- Entries must be original to the author and must not violate the copyright or other rights of any third party.
- Any use of AI in the text is not permittted and entrants may be required to sign additional documents to attest to this.
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.
1st prize: £1,000
Two runners-up prizes: £500 each
All three finalists will be offered a meeting with a Literary Agent.
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.
Key dates:
• Entries open: 1 November 2025
• Early entry closes: 28 February 2026
• Final entry closes: 31 March 2026
• Shortlist announced: 15 May 2026
• Awards reception in London: 11 June 2026
Tom Grass was a storyteller and a brilliant maverick with a unique sense of adventure. He travelled the world, on foot, bicycle and motorbike, and lived for long periods in Africa and India. He studied History at Oxford and wrote in many forms, from novels, to screenplays, to advertising copy, to hundreds of powerfully observed and often funny letters, emails and messages to friends.
His entrepreneurial courage shone through when he set up a business producing hammocks and baskets in Rwanda, and worked for the Nike Foundation in Kenya promoting female empowerment. He co-founded a film production company, and a leading wellness business. His novel TWIST was made into a film starring Michael Caine, Rita Ora and Raff Law. He also trained as a therapist, and was interested in the healing power of psychedelics.
Tom struggled on and off with depression through adulthood, and tragically took his own life in 2024. He was widely loved as a friend, brother, son, and uncle, and is deeply missed.
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.
In addition to the prize, we are raising money for the Charlie Waller Trust and The Enaikishomi School and Community Project, organisations that align with causes close to Tom’s heart – mental health, literacy, and creating opportunities for individuals from all walks of life.
We are immensely grateful for the generous donations from friends and family and the kind sponsorship from Steppes Travel, which will ensure this prize continues for years to come, inspiring writers to embrace the adventurous spirit Tom embodied.
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 at the homepage.
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.