Entries Open for the 2026 Winston Graham Historical Prize

Fans of historical fiction are being invited to look afresh at the past, as the search begins to uncover the best new novels for the Winston Graham Historical Prize.

Opening Call for Entries

The 2026 shortlist is now in motion, with entries officially open to authors and publishers. Submissions close on 1st October, and from there a dedicated Readers’ Committee will whittle down a longlist to a handful of standout works.

Charlotte Hobson, Chair of the Judges, said:
“Anyone with a historical novel out this year should feel encouraged to enter, be they a seasoned writer or a debut novelist. The Readers’ Committee approach means that we often uncover some real gems that have been otherwise overlooked.”

The prize comes with a £3,000 award and is overseen by Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, thanks to a bequest left by Winston Graham himself. Graham, best known for the Cornwall-based Poldark series, carried out much of his research in the museum’s Courtney Library.

📷The last prize awards ceremony taking place in the museum

What Qualifies for Entry?

To be eligible, novels must:

• Have been published in the UK between 30th September 2024 and 30th September 2025

• Be set at least sixty years ago in the UK and Ireland

• Be written by authors resident in the UK

The shortlist will be announced in January, with the winner revealed at a ceremony in March at Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery.

📷Chair of the Judges Charlotte Hobson

Celebrating Historical Fiction

Last year’s winner, Andrew Miller for The Land in Winter, said:
“Winning the Winston Graham Historical Prize was a huge encouragement for me. I’m very grateful to have this accolade to my name, as Graham’s books were early favourites of mine.”

Jonathan Morton, Co-Director of Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, added:
“We’re extremely proud to oversee this literary prize, and it’s always exciting to see the submissions arriving. It reminds us of our connection with Winston Graham and other writers who have been inspired by the museum – home to over a million objects – over the years.”

How to Enter

Authors and publishers interested in submitting entries for the Winston Graham Historical Prize can do so by clicking here.

📷Winston Graham

📷The Courtney Library where Graham researched some of his work