Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction
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.
The 2026 Longlist comprises:
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)
The Matchbox Girl and Benbecula have been reviewed by QRC. Click on the title to read our review.
The Shortlist will be announced in April 2026.
More information is available on the Walter Scott Prize website.