Have you ever wondered how the long and shortlists are decided for a book prize? We are seeking volunteer readers interested in reading some of the latest adventure novels to join the review panel for the 2022 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. We are inviting 14 librarians and library staff to make up the panel.

Eligibility:

You must be a librarian by trade or work in a library. We welcome interest from librarians working in all libraries, including schools, universities, public libraries, private libraries etc. If you fit the bill but have recently retired, we would also be interested to hear from you. You must be UK-based (we can offer a £60 honorarium or up to £60 to cover travel expenses for a roundtable in London)

What is involved?

We will supply you with digital copies of up to x15 books which have been entered for the 2022 Best Published Novel category of the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize between February - April. These books will all be fiction, published since 1st May 2021 or due to be published by 30th April 2022, and fit our definition of adventure writing.

Each novel will be read by multiple reviewers. The exact numbers will be dependent on how many novels are submitted but you will be assigned no more than 15 titles. We take the security of these novels seriously. Each novel has been entrusted to the Prize and each file will be secured to ensure the author’s work is protected.

We will host a group training session on Zoom, sharing our guided review process so you know what to look for in the novels you are allocated.

You will be able to sign up for a training slot at either 1-1.45pm or 6-6.45pm on Tuesday 8th February.

We hope to host a roundtable discussion led by the Foundation in London on Thursday 28th April. This will be online if it is not possible to meet in person. We anticipate this will be 11am-4pm and, if in person, lunch will be provided. 

You must come prepared to discuss, advocate and vote for those at the top of your reading list – it will be a friendly atmosphere and a chance to meet others with similar interests. 

These discussions will lead to finalising the long and shortlists for the 2022 Best Published Novel award, worth £10,000 for the winning author. Previous winners include Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce (2021), Firefly by Henry Porter (2019), and A Necessary Evil by Abir Mukherjee (2018).

What is in it for you?

For those with an interest in the genre and a desire to keep up-to-date with new publications, this is a chance to explore some of the best new adventure fiction today. You will meet likeminded people and enjoy a new experience while demystifying the behind-the scenes workings of an international book prize.

This role is voluntary. You will receive either a £60 voucher of your choosing (book tokens, Amazon, Marks & Spencer etc.) for your participation or travel expenses up to the same value.

Express your interest: 

We will be selecting up to 14 reviewers. To express your interest, please email Georgina Brown, Foundation Manager at submissions@wilbur-niso-smithfoundation.org, telling us in under 200 words:

  • why you would like to be part of the review panel
  • a little about your experience as a librarian or working a library

We are seeking reviewers from diverse backgrounds, to bring a range of opinions to the process. Please also supply as much of the following information as you are comfortable with, alongside your expression of interest:

  • Where you work/worked as a librarian
  • How long you have been a librarian
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Nationality
  • Education level

Deadline for expressions of interest: 9am, Friday 28th January 2022

You will be notified if you have been selected to be part of the panel before the end of the working day on Monday 31st January