By Charlotte Maddox and Georgina Brown

Why do we love our libraries? Sure, we can borrow books, audiobooks, and even request books in other languages. We can access the internet, join children’s rhyme time sessions, and make local friends by attending events.

In some libraries, we can learn digital skills, improve our employability, or take the opportunity to train ourselves in the latest technology, such as laser cutters or video editing software.

What else? So much more. Libraries have become hubs for our neighbourhoods, places for a community to grow and develop. They are spaces for people of all ages and backgrounds, open to everyone and free of charge. Each person who walks through the front door is welcome. In short, libraries are places where people can learn, explore and connect. This is exactly why we, at the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize, love libraries.

Each year, the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize celebrates stories that take us beyond the familiar: across continents, through time and deep into the lives of unforgettable characters. At the heart of this process are our readers and reviewers: a dedicated panel of librarians and library staff from across the UK who read, assess and then select the most compelling stories to curate long and shortlists that promise ‘an adventure for everyone’.

Working with the library community is one of the great privileges of running The Prize. The insights of these volunteers come from their work in the grassroots of their communities, interacting with readers face-to-face on a daily basis, as well as their unsurprising love of books that was probably the trigger for a career in libraries! Their knowledge of literature, coupled with an understanding of what readers are seeking and connecting with, is vital for The Prize. These aren’t people reading in a vacuum, but with other readers in mind.

Consequently, they recognise how stories can resonate across different communities and age groups, which is vital in helping us select books that are not only excellent works of fiction, but books which readers will genuinely want to read, share and recommend.

Former review panelist, Librarian and Adult Stock Developer at Peters Books, Helen Rosser, explained her role in the selection process: “We are considering the communities we represent. We have panelists from huge inner-city public libraries to tiny community-run rural libraries and educational settings. Each librarian, therefore, has a specific range of borrowers in mind, whose reading criteria would have to be fulfilled by any potential winner, plus the Foundation’s list of criteria, including originality, how likely we are to recommend it to others, and whether it’s a page-turner.”

The result is always a longlist and shortlist that reflects the diversity and scope of the adventure genre. Beyond the listing process, we’re keen for our panelists to take their new knowledge and recommendations back to their communities and for their libraries to be part of the celebration of adventure writing. We offer free resources designed to help library staff engage readers with The Prize: whether for a display, to support a book club, or to share online, these materials help bring these books to life and get people talking, about them and to each other.

You can find out which six titles the panel of librarians and library staff selected for 2025’s Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize here.

Why do we love our libraries? Yes, they’re places to learn, they open doors into other worlds, and they offer safe, warm spaces. Libraries are where so many adventures begin: whether that’s a new skill, new job, new friends, or new books. Libraries, you will always have our heart!

With love from your not-so-secret admirers, The Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize.

Further Information:

The winners of the 2025 Adventure Writing Prize will be announced in September, alongside the New Voices and Author Of Tomorrow awards for unpublished and young writers. In the meantime, you can find out more about the Adventure Writing Prize shortlist here and learn more about each of the 12 longlisted titles here. We invite readers everywhere to read, share and recommend their favourites.

For more opportunities for libraries, book clubs and readers, visit our website. Printed and digital resource packs can be ordered through The Reading Agency here.

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You can hear great new ideas, creative work and writing tips on Write On! Audio. Find us on all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Google Podcasts and Spotify. Type Pen to Print into your browser and look for our logo, or find us on Podcasters.Spotify.com.

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