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We are thrilled to report that Benjamin Wood's SEASCRAPER has been longlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, run by the Abbotsford Trust. Honouring the achievements of the founding father of the historical novel, the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction is one of the most prestigious literary prizes in the world. With a total value of over £30,000, and now in its sixteenth year, the Prize is unique for rewarding writing of exceptional quality which is set in the past. The Prize celebrates quality, innovation, durability and ambition of writing, and is open to books first published in the previous year in the UK, Ireland or the Commonwealth. Reflecting the subtitle ‘Sixty Years Since’ of Scott’s most famous work Waverley, the majority of the storyline must be set at least 60 years ago. Chair of Judges, Katie Grant, said: “As always, compiling the Longlist for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction isn’t easy, and again, as always, we’re guided by our criteria: originality, innovation, ambition, durability and quality of writing. The 2026 list spans all human experience and emotional intensity, with our authors crafting their work on both the small domestic canvas and a broader, more epic scale. And readers be warned: in amongst the clever, the funny, the poignant, the piquant, the moving, the intriguing and the surprising, in this year’s list you’ll find writing so visceral it will remain with you long after you have closed the book.” Matthew Maxwell Scott, Walter Scott’s great-great-great-great grandson and Trustee of The Abbotsford Trust, said: “This is a terrific Longlist and I am sure that debate amongst our wonderful judges about which books will make the Shortlist, and which novel will be this year’s eventual winner, will be very passionate. The list showcases everything that is great about historical fiction, a genre Walter Scott did so much to help create more than two centuries ago, and which continues to delight discerning readers today. “We look forward to welcoming some of the authors to Abbotsford in June where, in the home that Scott built and loved, the celebration of great writing continues. Authors, readers and visitors alike can feel Scott’s presiding genius, a cultural icon of his own age and of ours.” The Shortlist will be announced in April. The twelve books longlisted are: VENETIAN VESPERS John Banville (Faber & Faber) THE TWO ROBERTS Damian Barr (Canongate) EDEN’S SHORE Oisín Fagan (John Murray Press) HELM Sarah Hall (Faber & Faber) THE PRETENDER Jo Harkin (Bloomsbury) BOUNDARY WATERS Tristan Hughes (Parthian Books) THE MATCHBOX GIRL Alice Jolly (Bloomsbury) EDENGLASSIE Melissa Lucashenko (Oneworld Publications) BENBECULA Graeme Macrae Burnet (Polygon) ONCE THE DEED IS DONE Rachel Seiffert (Virago) THE ARTIST Lucy Steeds (John Murray Press) SEASCRAPER Benjamin Wood (Viking)

We are thrilled that SEASCRAPER by Benjamin Wood has been shortlisted for the Winston Graham Historical Prize 2026! The prize celebrates the best new historical fiction with a powerful sense of place published in the past year; to enter novels must be set at least 60 years ago in the UK and Ireland. This quest to reveal atmospheric new windows onto the past is the legacy of Winston Graham, author of the Poldark novels, which painted an unforgettable picture of 19th century Cornwall through the lives of Ross, Demelza and co. Creation of the annual shortlist is carried out by readers’ groups across Cornwall who, via their local library, are provided with entries and tasked to report back. Reader favourites are put forward to an expert judging panel led by Chair Charlotte Hobson, an award-winning writer of historical fiction herself who is based in Cornwall. Charlotte is joined on the panel this year by academic and Graham’s daughter in law, Peggotty Graham, authors Wyl Menmuir and Patrick Gale, writer and editor Sravya Raju, and book blogger Cathy Johnson. Find out more about the judges here. Charlotte said: “Historical fiction is evolving apace, with more diversity and nuance than ever before, and this year it’s really struck me how these subtle and brilliant stories set in the past shed light on the modern world. Sometimes it seems that the long view of a historical novel is the best way to make sense of the crazy times we’re living through.” This year the judges will have to choose between a fascinating array of historical fiction, with evocative settings ranging from the 15th Century Tudor court, the art world of the 1930s, and rural Ireland in the 1960s. On the shortlist are The Two Roberts by Damian Barr, Helm by Sarah Hall, The Pretender by Jo Harkin, Seascraper by Benjamin Wood and Time of the Child by Niall Williams. Jonathan Morton, Co-Director, Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, commented: We’re proud of Winston Graham’s connection with the museum and always enjoy the prize ceremony and the anticipation it brings. We’re also now using Graham’s legacy to inspire young writers with Winston’s Wordsmiths, a creative writing prize for children aged 8-16. This year’s winners will be announced at Waterstones in Truro on the same day as the adults’ prize, so do look out for the names of emerging writers to watch! The prize ceremonies will take place on 12th March, with Hotel Tresanton in St Mawes generously sponsoring accommodation for visiting authors and judges.

We are delighted to announce that Benjamin Wood has won the 2025 Nero Prize for Fiction with his novel SEASCRAPER (Viking, 2025). SEASCRAPER tells the story of Thomas, who lives with his mother in Longferry as a shanker before a visitor turns up. The judges described the book as an "utterly immersive read, steeped in atmosphere, that explores what constitutes a well-lived life". The awards celebrate exceptional writing from authors based in the UK and Ireland. Each winner has received £5,000 and is now in the running for the Nero Gold Prize, Book of the Year 2025. The overall prize of £30,000 will be selected by a final judging panel comprising author Nick Hornby, BBC correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti and screenwriter Daisy Goodwin. The winner will be announced at a ceremony hosted by Sarah Montague on 4th March. "The Nero Book Awards have gone from strength to strength in the past two years and our winners for 2025 are of incredible quality," said Gerry Ford, founder and group CEO of Caffè Nero. "The judges had a difficult job deciding on the best in each category, with so many fantastic books published this year. Their selection epitomises what we look for with the Nero Book Awards – outstanding writing, incredible storytelling and the books you most want to press into the hands of others." Previous winners of the Nero Gold Prize have included THE BEE STING by Paul Murray (Hamish Hamilton), which was the winner of the 2023 Fiction award, and MAURICE AND MARALYN by Sophie Elmhirst (Vintage), winner of the Non-Fiction category in 2024.

We are delighted to congratulate Olaf Falafel for winning the Best Laugh Out Loud Prize for ages six to eight at the 2025 Scholastic Lollies. The awards were given out at a ceremony held on 4th December 2025 at London’s Southbank Centre, hosted by author, actor and presenter Stephen Mangan, who was joined by guest stars from children’s books and television, including Lollies’ ambassador Michael Rosen, Thiago de Moraes, Anita Mangan, Serena Patel, Liz Pichon and Jim Smith. Over 150 children also attended. Rosen said: “Funny books bring joy. Simple as that. If you want to get children laughing and reading for pleasure – look no further than this year’s brilliant Lollies shortlist and winners.” Catherine Bell, managing director of Scholastic UK, said: “For almost 10 years, the Lollies Awards have championed the funniest children’s books of the year – chosen by children. Ahead of the National Year of Reading, we are so proud to announce our new set of fabulously funny winners that are perfect for reading for pleasure. Congratulations to all the incredibly talented authors and illustrators on the whole shortlist.”

We are thrilled that SEASCRAPER by Benjamin Wood has been shortlisted for the Nero Book Award for Fiction. Recognising great writers in the UK and Ireland, the Nero Book Awards ranges across fiction, debut fiction, non-fiction and children’s fiction categories. This year’s shortlists reflect the extraordinary depth and diversity of publishing throughout the industry. Alongside SEASCRAPER, the Fiction Shortlisted titles are THE TWO ROBERTS by Damian Barr, CURSED DAUGHTERS by Oyinkan Braithwaite and WHAT WE CAN KNOW by Ian McEwan. The winners will be revealed on Tuesday 13 January and the overall Golden Winner on Wednesday 4 March.