The Nature Writing Prize for Working-Class Writers returns for fourth year

The Nature Writing Prize for Working-Class Writers will return for its fourth year in 2023, the organisers have announced, with entries opening on Friday 2nd June and the winner to be announced at a ceremony in London on 12th September.

The prize, which aims to break down barriers, was set up in 2020 by the writer Natasha Carthew to create opportunities for working-class nature writers of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. It returns for its fourth year with the support of the Arvon Foundation, the Campaign for National Parks, The National Trust and Gaia Books (an imprint of Octopus Publishing Group).

It is free to enter and encourages self-identifying working-class writers from all over the UK, whether they live in the country or in towns, cities and other spaces.

Judges confirmed for this year’s prize include The Bookseller’s editor Philip Jones as well as acclaimed writers Niellah Arboine, Adam Farrer, Sabrina Pace-Humphreys, Tanya Shadrick and Kiran Sidhu; last year’s winner, writer Jeni Bell; Natasha Carthew, founder of The Nature Prize for Working-Class Writers; Juliet Pickering, vice-head of books at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency; and Stephanie Jackson, publisher at Octopus Publishing Group.

Carthew said: “It’s important to me that this prize is accessible, breaking down barriers and providing a platform to celebrate the diversity that exists in nature writing, while amplifying the voices of underrepresented writers. I set up the Nature Prize, now in its fourth year, to burst the stereotype of what it means to be a nature writer and to showcase the diversity of authentic voices in our country, the kind of working-class voice that doesn’t just come from the country but the towns, cities, housing estates, parks and the overlooked landscapes like industrial, train tracks, wasteland, everywhere!”

Jackson said: “Nurturing creative minds from every segment of society is vital, so we’re proud to support Natasha Carthew’s Nature Prize for Working-Class Writers for our third year. Its purpose remains as important as ever: to provide encouragement, insight and exposure to working class people at the very earliest stages of their writing careers – in any format they choose, and in a subject area that helps writers and readers appreciate their place in the world. With nature writing by and for everyone at the heart of Gaia, it’s a natural fit for us.”

The winner of the prize will receive: one year’s free membership to Campaign for National Parks; a £300 paid commission to write a National Park- inspired piece for printed Viewpoint Magazine; an Arvon Course of choice (including online); and three one-hour mentoring sessions with a Gaia commissioner. Six shortlisted writers will receive a book bundle from Octopus Publishing Group. Entrants can submit up to 1,000 words of material here. The author must be a UK resident who is not currently represented by an agent.