Hilary Mantel Prize launched

Literary agency AM Heath has launched a biennial prize for novel writers in the UK and Ireland, in honour of late author Hilary Mantel.

‘Hilary was a staunch supporter of countless first-time novelists, so the prize will focus on work in progress from unpublished writers, with the aim of offering the mentoring and financial support to assist the best of the next generation in finishing their work,’ said the agency in its announcement.

The winner will receive a cash prize of £7,500 (A$15,356), a potential offer of representation with AM Heath, mentoring with an agent from AM Heath and an editor from publisher John Murray, and a place within the Arvon residential writing course.

A runner-up will also receive a cash prize of £2,500 (A$5,121), alongside the same offer of mentoring, potential representation and writing course as the winner.

Judges for the inaugural prize are Maggie O’Farrell, Nicholas Pearson, Ben Miles, Chetna Maroo and Chigozie Obioma.

Mantel won the Booker Prize twice (in 2009 and 2012). Among her works are Wolf Hall (Fourth Estate, 2020), Giving Up the Ghost (Fourth Estate, 2004) and Beyond Black (Harper Perennial, 2009). She died in 2022.

The winner and runner-up for the inaugural Hilary Mantel Prize are set to be announced in March 2026, with entries open between now and the end of the year.

More information is available on AM Heath’s website.

Category: International news