Alice Jolly wins 2026 Walter Scott Prize
12th June, 2026
Alice Jolly has won the £25,000 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction for her novel The Matchbox Girl, which tells the story of Adelheid Brunner, a patient of Dr Hans Asperger in the now-infamous Vienna Children’s Hospital during the 1930s, while the city is under Nazi occupation. Alice received her prize from Walter Scott’s great-great-great-great grandson, Matthew… Read More »
Shortlist Spotlight: Benjamin Wood
9th June, 2026
Our final Shortlist Spotlight is on Benjamin Wood, author of Seascraper. In this exclusive Q&A, he tells us about the origins and settings of his novel. Q: How do you feel about being shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction? Do you consider yourself an historical novelist? A: I feel immensely proud and… Read More »
Read the 2025 winners’ stories in full
2nd June, 2026
The winners of this year’s Young Walter Scott Prize have been announced, and we’re delighted to present their stories for you to read in full here, in our special anthology. Download it on the link below. The anthology is available in print too, and you can get your free copy – and special YWSP bookmark… Read More »
Shortlist Spotlight: Rachel Seiffert
2nd June, 2026
Read shortlisted author Rachel Seiffert’s fascinating account of how she researched Once The Deed Is Done and how it was inspired by real people and accounts. Q: How do you feel about being shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction? Do you consider yourself an historical novelist? Thrilled! It’s a special award, run… Read More »