The Wainwright Prizes

Submissions are now open for the 2026 #WainwrightPrize!

We’re inviting publishers to submit titles across six categories, celebrating nature writing, conservation storytelling, powerful visual books, and children’s titles that inspire care for the natural world.

SUBMIT: wainwrightprize.com

It's our pleasure to announce that the inaugural winner of the Wainwright Prize Book of the Year is...

Raising Hare, @chloedalton.bsky.social (@canongate.co.uk)

#WainwrightPrize #StoriesThatConnect

We're delighted to announce that the inaugural winner of the Children's Wainwright Prize Book of the Year is...

Flower Block, Lanisha Butterfield, illustrated by Hoang Giang (@puffinbooksuk.bsky.social)

#WainwrightPrize #StoriesThatConnect

The WINNER of the 2025 Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing...

The Lie of the Land, @guyshrubsole.bsky.social (@wmcollinsbooks.bsky.social)

#WainwrightPrize #StoriesThatConnect

The WINNER of the 2025 Children's Wainwright Prize for Fiction is...

Wildlands, Brogen Murphy (@puffinbooksuk.bsky.social)

#WainwrightPrize #Storiesthatconnect

The WINNER of the 2025 Children's Wainwright Prize for Non-Fiction is...

University of Cambridge: Think Big: Secrets of Bees, @benhoare.bsky.social, illustrated by Nina Chakrabarti (@nosycrow.bsky.social)

#WainwrightPrize #StoriesThatConnect

The WINNER of the 2025 Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing is...

Raising Hare, @chloedalton.bsky.social (@canongate.co.uk)

#WainwrightPrize #StoriesThatConnect

The WINNER of the 2025 Children's Wainwright Prize for Picture Books is...

Flower Block, Lanisha Butterfield, illustrated by Hoang Giang (@puffinbooksuk.bsky.social)

#WainwrightPrize #StoriesThatConnect

The WINNER of the 2025 Wainwright Prize for Illustrative Books is...

Feed the Planet, George Steinmetz with Joel K. Bourne Jr. & Michael Pollan (Abrams Books)

#WainwrightPrize #StoriesThatConnect

We’re delighted to announce the 2025 #WainwrightPrize Winners!

From powerful storytelling to vital conservation work and bold illustration, this year’s winners reflect the richness, urgency, and joy of writing about the natural world.

wainwrightprize.com

#StoriesThatConnect

Last year’s #WainwrightPrize ceremony was full of joy & gratitude as our 2024 shortlistees shared what the prize meant to them.

We’re so excited to welcome the 2025 shortlistees soon & celebrate another brilliant year of nature writing.

Meet The Judges: Francesca Willow 🌿
Artist, writer, and activist Francesca shares what she’s looking for in this year’s entries, and the nature books that shaped her own journey.

👉 Read the full Q&A: bit.ly/3JPUOhS

Thank you for making this community of readers, writers and wild-hearted book lovers so special. 🫶📚

#WainwrightPrize #StoriesThatConnect

Meet the Judges: Khalil Thirlaway🌱

Science communicator, storyteller & co-host of the NHM’s Wild Crimes & Our Broken Planet, Khalil shares why conservation writing must link environmental + social issues, and the seaside moments that shaped his love of nature.

🔗 Read here: bit.ly/4mkKAnZ

We're absolutely thrilled to see both Helen Scales (WHAT THE WILD SEA CAN BE) and Sophy Roberts (A TRAINING SCHOOL FOR ELEPHANTS) shortlisted for The Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing!

We’re so proud to share the 2025 Children's Wainwright Prize shortlists, bursting with wonder, joy, and powerful messages about our planet. These fiction, non-fiction, and picture books help young readers see, feel, and care for the natural world.

#WainwrightPrize #StoriesThatConnect

Meet the Judges: Jack Baker

Conservationist, podcaster & champion of overlooked nature stories, Jack shares why diverse voices matter, how visuals connect us, & the garden that sparked it all.

🔗 Read here: bit.ly/46MJU61

The 2025 #WainwrightPrize shortlists are here.

Nature writing, conservation writing, and illustrative books that challenge, move, and inspire. A powerful year for environmental storytelling.

Discover them all → wainwrightprize.com

A Peregrine Falcon stands with its back turned but glances over its shoulder with a fierce, unimpressed stare - as if someone just wished it a “Happy Monday” and it’s not having it. Its feathers are fluffed and its expression says: absolutely not.

When you hear "Happy Monday!" but you haven't had your coffee.

#MondayMotivation

📷 Peter Christian

Author, speaker & creative force behind Bringing Up Race and Raising Boys Who Do Better, Uju returns to judge the Children’s Wainwright Prize.

She shares thoughts on nature writing as activism, the power of inclusive storytelling, and what gives her hope for the next generation.

🔗 bit.ly/46IhHND

Absolutely thrilled that my book THE LIE OF THE LAND has been shortlisted for the @wainwrightprize.bsky.social for conservation writing!

Honoured to join an incredible shortlist of authors including @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social @frediotto.bsky.social

More here:
wainwrightprize.com/shortlist-20...

We couldn't be more thrilled to announce that Swoop Sing Perch Paddle by Carry Akroyd and John McEwen has been shortlisted for the @wainwrightprize.bsky.social for Illustrative Books!

This beautiful book celebrates British birds in all their colour and glory🐦

Have you got your copy yet?

For the ones who can lose hours to a good book, and whole afternoons to the wild... 📚🍃

The 2025 #WainwrightPrize shortlists have been announced!

Your next read awaits.👇

A photograph of a stack of books at the base of a tree, sitting on grass with text to the left-hand side reading 'nature writing shortlist 2025' and the Wainwright Prize logo.

We are delighted that #TheAccidentalGarden by Richard Mabey is shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize for nature writing 🍃

In Richard Mabey's Norfolk garden, nature is an equal partner.

profilebooks.com/work/the-acc... #WainwrightPrize #StoriesThatConnect @wainwrightprize.bsky.social

Exciting news!!!!!!
Thanks @wainwrightprize.bsky.social!

My book - ClimateINJustice is shortlisted for the @wainwrightprize.bsky.social ! Really happy about this, as it's not traditional conservation writing - but conserving & fighting for us humans & our rights wainwrightprize.com/shortlist-20...

The Perimeter is now shortlisted for the @wainwrightprize.bsky.social ! If the book spoke to you, I’d love if you’d share it with others – every word of mouth helps. 👉 amzn.to/4mpt9SH ⛺️📷⛺️📷⛺️📷⛺️

Overjoyed to have The Wild by Yuval Zommer from @oxfordchildrens.bsky.social on this shortlist! #WainwrightPrize

Land of the Last Wildcat has been shortlisted for the @wainwrightprize.bsky.social Children’s Fiction Award. Such a thrill & honour for my debut book to be selected- thank you!