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The Tom Grass Spirit of Adventure Literary Prize is a writing prize dedicated to celebrating the spirit of our friend Tom Grass, a multi-talented writer, avid reader, and fearless traveller.
Key dates:
• Submissions open: 1st October 2024
• Submissions close: 31st March 2025
• Shortlist announced: 15th May 2025
• Prize giving reception in London: 4th June 2025
The prize is for a short piece of stand-alone prose in either Fiction or Non-Fiction (1,500 - 3,000 words). It can be adapted from a longer work but must be satisfying to read by itself. The prize invites writers from all walks of life, whether writing a short story, essay, memoir, piece of reportage, historical investigation, or other hybrid form, as long as the writer reflects the sensibility of the prize. The prize is not aimed at the action-adventure genre nor limited to the idea of physical adventure. We invite writers to grapple with the spirit of adventure in any way they interpret. Pieces will be read and judged on their literary merit and their engagement with the general reader.
Tom Grass
Tom Grass was a storyteller and a brilliant maverick with a unique sense of adventure. He travelled the world, on foot, bicycle and motorbike, and lived for long periods in Africa and India.
He studied History at Oxford and wrote in many forms, from novels, to screenplays, to advertising copy, to hundreds of powerfully observed and often funny letters, emails and messages to friends.
His entrepreneurial courage shone through when he set up a business producing hammocks and baskets in Rwanda, and worked for the Nike Foundation in Kenya promoting female empowerment. He co-founded a film production company, and a leading wellness business. His novel TWIST was made into a film starring Michael Caine, Rita Ora and Raff Law. He also trained as a therapist, and was interested in the healing power of psychedelics.
Tom struggled on and off with depression through adulthood, and tragically took his own life in 2024. He was widely loved as a friend, brother, son, and uncle, and is deeply missed.
The Prize is a not-for-profit foundation, created and run by friends and family of Tom Grass.
Open to emerging writers over the age of 25, the Prize celebrates creative storytelling with a focus on the spirit of adventure. Through readings and an annual award ceremony in London, we will come together to celebrate life’s bold journeys and the stories they inspire.
In addition to the prize, we are raising money for the Charlie Waller Trust and The Enaikishomi School and Community Project, organisations that align with causes close to Tom’s heart – mental health, literacy, and creating opportunities for individuals from all walks of life.
We are immensely grateful for the generous donations from friends and family and the kind sponsorship from Steppes Travel, which will ensure this prize continues for years to come, inspiring writers to embrace the adventurous spirit Tom embodied.
About the prize
As the sole sponsor of the Tom Grass "Spirit of Adventure" Literary Prize, Steppes Travel celebrates the spirit of discovery that is at the heart of both compelling travel and engaging storytelling. This partnership highlights their commitment to inspiring journeys, both literal and literary.
Steppes Travel is known for crafting bespoke journeys that immerse travellers in authentic experiences worldwide. Committed to responsible travel, they offer unique, transformative itineraries that not only deliver unparalleled adventures but also positively impact the destinations they explore. Their trips, from wildlife safaris in Africa to cultural tours in Asia and polar expeditions, are designed by experts with deep regional knowledge.
Steppes Travel goes beyond the ordinary by providing opportunities to engage deeply with local cultures and natural environments, ensuring travellers gain a profound understanding and respect for the places they visit. Their commitment to sustainability is evident in their support for conservation projects and community initiatives, making them a leader in planet-conscious travel.
Supporters
Adelgren, Tobias • Allen, David • Anderson, Myles • Anderson, Neale • Barraclough, Rachael • Barrie, Neil • Beckman, Anna • Berkeley, Juliette • Bishop, Mary • Blair, Craig • Blanchard, Edwin • Boesen, Bhavna • Bonneton, Guillaume • Bowers, Jonathan • Brisbourne, Nic • Buston, Olly • Clifton, David • Colbert, Charlotte • Collins-Perucchetti, Blayze • Cooper, Sue • Cope, Richard • Cornwall, Elly • Cosnuau, Geraldine • Cowan, Lara • Dalitz, Alex • Datta, Tanya • Egerton-Smith, Rupert • Erskine, James & Laetitia • Evans, Gareth • Foley, Paul • Fumagalli, Laurence • Gilroy, Georgina • Gordon, Ian • Grass, Adele • Grass, Ben & Nikki • Sears, Francesca • Holt, Anabel • Hovspian, Serge • Hudson, Mark • Kohn, Nicola • Krikhaar, Leo • Lalatta, Federico • Lee, Zoe • Lentaigne, David & Caroline • Lentaigne, James & Zeena • Lentaigne, John & Jo • MacMillan, Iain • Malfatto, Alessandro • Martin, Georgina • Mayr-Harting, Thomas • McCullough, Danny • McGill, Anna • Meyer, Dan • Miksis, Carrie • Minard, Sara • Miroku, Lee Clio • Naylor, Edgar • Naylor, Edward • O'Hara, Adrienne • Page-Croft, Nicole • Papazoglou, Elena • Pitcher, Gemma • Regner-Bleyleben, Max & Niki • Rhee, Deok Joo • Schmitt, Ernesto • Schwalber, Philipp • Sherrard, Roger • Sherrard, Heather & Jim • Slater, Angus • Tayler, Chris • Torres, Veronica • Van Wyk, Rosa • Warden, Rick • Wateridge, Jonathan • Webber, Jo
Donations
We welcome private donations to the Prize and our nominated charities:
The Charlie Waller Trust is a mental health charity that provides free training and resources to young people, parents, carers, and teachers. It aims to reduce stigma, equip individuals to care for themselves and others, and promote open conversations about mental health.
The Enaikishomi School and Community Project. Located in the foothills of Mount Kenya, the school was established in 2004 and provides high quality education to local children aged 3 to 14. It’s a community-driven project financed by donations from family and friends, and it stands as a lasting tribute to Amy Elgar’s love of Africa, a passion shared by Tom Grass.