Submissions
2026 submissions are now closed.
Stories that Connect People and Planet
The Wainwright Prize recognises the power of words to shape a greener future, celebrating books that help us see the natural world and our place within it more clearly. From personal journeys through wild landscapes to bold investigations into environmental challenges, these are stories that connect people and planet. Spanning three categories, the awards honour original voices and striking visual storytelling that inspire readers to care more deeply for the world around them. Together, they champion the art of noticing, understanding, and protecting the natural world.
The Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing:
This prize honours outstanding books that celebrate our connection with the natural world. From lyrical explorations of wild places to personal journeys through landscapes, these works help us see, feel and cherish nature in new ways.
The Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing:
Recognising writing that confronts the environmental challenges of our time, this prize celebrates books that inspire action and offer hope. These powerful works highlight the urgency and possibility of protecting the planet for future generations.
The Wainwright Prize for Illustrative Books:
This prize shines a light on the artistry of visual books that bring nature vividly to life. Through art, photography, illustration and design, these books combine beautiful visuals with engaging storytelling, bringing the beauty, complexity, and wonder of the planet vividly to life on every page.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Nature Lovers
The Children’s Wainwright Prize celebrates books that encourage young readers to fall in love with the natural world. In a time of climate crisis and biodiversity loss, these stories play a vital role in nurturing curiosity, empathy and action in the next generation. Through fiction, non-fiction and beautifully illustrated picture books, this strand of the prize recognises authors and illustrators who spark wonder and empower children to explore, understand and protect the planet they call home.
The Children’s Wainwright Prize for Fiction:
This prize celebrates imaginative stories that spark young readers’ curiosity and love for nature. From magical adventures to heartfelt tales of wildlife and wild places, these books show how storytelling can nurture empathy and inspire young readers to care for the planet.
The Children’s Wainwright Prize for Non-Fiction:
Honouring factual books that empower and educate, this prize recognises authors who help children understand the environment and the creatures we share it with. These titles inform, inspire, and encourage young readers to protect the natural world.
The Children’s Wainwright Prize for Picture Books:
This prize celebrates beautifully illustrated stories that capture the wonder of nature for the youngest readers. With vivid art and accessible storytelling, these books invite children to explore, imagine and fall in love with the world around them.
Click here for last year’s Children’s Wainwright Prize shortlists.
Eligibility
Only books first published between 1st June 2025 – 31st May 2026 are eligible.
If the book is not currently published, but is due to be published before 31st May 2026, we accept manuscripts and proofs.
Authors/illustrators can be from any country as long as the title is published or readily available to all bookshop outlets in the UK (written in or translated into English).
Consent must be obtained from authors, illustrators and any contributors by publishers before submitting titles.
Multiple category submissions are allowed if the book is suitable for each.
Further information
Category winners will be announced at a ceremony in September and will receive £500 per category, which will be shared between contributors where applicable. In addition, two overall winners will be awarded The Wainwright Prize Book of the Year and The Wainwright Children’s Prize Book of the Year, with each overall winner receiving £2,500.
The longlists in all categories will be selected from the nominations using a combination of the views of independent booksellers throughout the UK, specialist nature reviewers and authors.
There will be separate and independent judging panels for each category to select the shortlists and winners. Judging chairs and panel members to be revealed in a few months.
Submissions are accepted from all publishers, small, independent or large, and must be accompanied by a copy sent by post to:
Agile c/o WP2026,
Studio 300, Leather Factory Studios, Holt, Wiltshire, BA14 6RL
Each successful title contributes a shortlist levy to cover the promotional costs associated with the prize, including project management, design, publicity, and the production of all promotional materials for retailers and partners, both digital and print. The exact amount of the levy will be confirmed as soon as possible and agreed with all successful publishers before the longlist is announced.
Publishers with titles on the longlist will be contacted in April.
Please contact katie@agile-ideas.com if you have any questions.
Key dates
29th January – Submissions Open
27th February – Submissions Closed
8th July TBC – Longlist Announcement
5th August TBC – Shortlist Announcement
17th September TBC – Winners Ceremony
Do you have multiple submissions?
To submit titles, please either fill in the online form below or if you are submitting multiple titles you can download the excel file
– please fill in the excel and email to katie@agile-ideas.com