Today The Bookseller has announced the launch of the New Adult Book Prize, in association with The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival. The award celebrates one of the fastest growing areas of fiction publishing, powered by one of the most enthusiastic cohort of readers. 

The award is the first of its kind in the UK and has been created in response to the growing popularity of new adult fiction. Whereas young adult is about coming-of-age, new adult fiction is about the transitional years afterwards. Across different genres, new adult fiction looks to address the issues and events that come with the move from adolescence to early adulthood. It's a fresh, exciting opportunity for readers and authors alike to celebrate a growing area of fiction. 

The New Adult Book Prize will celebrate all genres of fiction in the new adult space to recognise the wealth of talent across the publishing industry. The prize is a welcome addition to The Bookseller’s growing event portfolio including The British Book Awards, the YA Book Prize and the FutureBook Awards as well as a suite of conferences: Marketing & Publicity Conference, Children’s Conference and FutureBook Conference.  

Submissions will open on Wednesday 30 April and will close on Thursday 5 June. Entries should be made by UK-based publishers and are open to new adult fiction titles first published in print form in the UK or Ireland, between 1 March 2024 and 28 February 2025. For full terms and conditions, please visit the website.  

A 10-strong shortlist, selected by a team at The Bookseller and a panel of expert judges, will be announced later this year.

The winner will be chosen by a separate board of judges, who will award the book they believe is the best written and explores themes relevant to new adults. The first panel of judges will be announced on 20 May.  

The winner will receive a £2000 cash prize and be announced at the The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival on Saturday 18 October as part of the VOICEBOX programme.