The Nature Writing Prize for Working Class Writers 2025
The Nature Writing Prize for Working Class Writers 2025
The prize, which aims to break down barriers, was set up in 2020 by writer, Natasha Carthew, to create opportunity for working class nature writers of fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
This unique prize returns for a sixth year with support of Gaia Books (an imprint of Octopus Publishing Group) and the Arvon Foundation.
The prize 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.
This year’s judging panel is led by Natasha Carthew, Writer and Founder of the Nature Writing Prize for Working Class Writers, Stephanie Jackson; Publishing Director at DK; Philip Jones, Editor of The Bookseller; Juliet Pickering, Vice head of books at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency; Harriet Poland, Literary Agent; Kaiya Shang, Commissioning Editor at Chatto & Windus; Tony Putman, author of Bob the Robin; and Alisha Riley, the 2024 prize winner.
Entries for the prize are now open and the winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on 8 July 2025.
Natasha Carthew, Founder of the Nature Prize said ‘’It’s incredibly important to me that the Class Festival Nature Writing Prize for Working Class Writers continues to show dedication to both publishing and nature, giving a platform to unsung writers and untold stories throughout the country.
Now more than ever, we need a breadth of voices that explore our enduring connection with nature no matter where we live, be it in the city, the countryside, or every place between. Breaking down barriers is key to my work as Founder/Director of the Class Festival brand, where dedication to accessibility is at the heart of everything we do.’
Jessica Minocha, Commissioning Editor at Octopus Publishing Group, said ‘This prize demonstrates that nature writing is for everyone. It’s a truly unique literary prize that aims to encourage working class writers at the very beginning of their writing careers. I’m so proud that Gaia is supporting this initiative for another year, and it’s been a privilege to work alongside Natasha. I can’t wait to see the submissions for this year!’
Alisha Riley, winner of the 2024 Prize added ‘The Nature Prize has been a rare and wonderful source of empowerment, encouragement and inspiration. Now, more than ever before, I feel capable and compelled to create beyond my own restrictions. Thank you, Nature Prize!’
The prize is set to burst the stereotype of what it means to be a nature writer and to celebrate the diversity of authentic voices in our country.
PRIZE INCLUDES:
One commissioned piece in a nature-related outlet
Two online masterclasses with Arvon and one online Arvon writing day
3 one-hour mentoring sessions with a Gaia commissioner and 1 one-hour mentoring session with a literary agent
A book bundle from Octopus Publishing Group
5 shortlisted writers to receive a book bundle from Octopus Publishing Group
To enter, please submit up to 1,000 words of original material via the submission portal
Submissions open: 5 March 2025
Closing date: 25 April 2025
Further Information
Natasha Carthew
Natasha Carthew’s work has long been inspired by the natural world. Her latest book UNDERCURRENT, a memoir of rural poverty and escape that blends nature-writing with personal testimony and investigation, is published by Hodder & Stoughton.
Gaia is an imprint of Octopus Publishing Group, which is a division of Hachette UK. Founded in the 1980s and named after James Lovelock’s Gaia hypothesis, Gaia Books was one of the earliest pioneers of the environmental publishing movement. Our ethos is to publish the world outside your window, with books that explore and celebrate nature in all its forms.
