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DEFINITIONS:

PHYSICAL BOOK
For the purposes of the Boswell Prizes a PHYSICAL BOOK is defined as a book first published in a physically printed and bound version and available for sale to the public as such. The book may have first been published either as a paperback, or a hardback and the publisher must have printed at least 1,000 copies. If the book was simultaneously published as both a physical book and an eBook and/or audiobook, it is still eligible. However, if the book was first published as an eBook and/or audiobook and only later published as a physical book it is ineligible. The bound version which is submitted must have the same binding and cover as the version offered for sale to the public.

RECOGNISED PUBLISHER
For the purposes of the Boswell Prizes a recognised publisher is defined as a publisher who had been in existence for at least 12 months prior to 1st January 2024, and who had, by that date, published at least fifteen different physical books in the English language, no more than three of which were by the same author. Publishers (sometimes known as ‘Vanity Publishers’) who receive or solicit any form of payment from their authors or their representatives are not eligible. Recognised Publishers can be located anywhere in the world and be of any nationality.

RULES:

ENTRY FEES
There are no entry fees.

NUMBER OF ENTRIES
Publishers and/or imprints are limited to three entries in each category, but no book may be entered in more than one category.

PUBLICATION DATES
The 2025 Boswell Prizes will be awarded to PHYSICAL BOOKS (see definitions) first published by a RECOGNISED PUBLISHER (see definitions) between 1st January 2024 and 31st December 2024.

TYPES OF BOOKS
Only books which were first published as physical books—whether paperback or hardback—are eligible. If the book was simultaneously published as both a physical book and an eBook and/or audiobook it is still eligible. However, if the book was first published as an eBook and/or audiobook and only later published as a physical book it is ineligible. The bound version which is submitted must have the same binding and cover as a version offered for sale to the public. The decision of the organisers as to whether a book is eligible will be final and binding on all parties. No correspondence will be entered into.

LENGTH OF BOOKS
Eligible books must contain a minimum of 50,000 words of text, excluding illustrations, captions, references, footnotes etc. There is no maximum limit, but the book must have been published as a single, bound volume. If the book was published as part of a series, then only one volume of the series may be submitted.

ILLUSTRATED BOOKS    
Illustrated books are eligible provided they contain at least 50,000 words of text, excluding illustrations, captions, references, footnotes etc.

BOOKS PUBLISHED AS PART OF A SERIES
If the book was published a part of a series, then only one volume of the series may be submitted.

LANGUAGE
All books entered must be in the English language. If the book was first published in a language other than English, but later (or simultaneously) translated and published in an English language version, then the English version is eligible, provided it meets all the other rules and criteria of the Boswell Prizes.

ENTRANTS
Books may only be entered by the publisher. Authors may not enter directly, nor may their agents, managers, friends, relatives or advisors enter books on their behalf.

ENTRY PROCESS
Entrants must complete the entry form which can be found on this website. Following completion of the entry form, six physical copies of the book must be sent to the organisers at an address which will provided following receipt of the entry form, within the specified time. These books will not be returned.

CATEGORIES
The Boswell Prizes are awarded in twelve categories of non-fiction. If a non-fiction book does not fit exactly into a single category, the publisher should enter it into the closest appropriate category. No book may be entered into more than one category.
The categories are:

• Best Autobiography

• Best Biography

• Best Business Book

• Best Food & Drink Book

• Best Health Book

• Best History Book

• Best Nature Book

• Best Political Book

• Best Science Book

• Best Sport Book

• Best Technology Book

• Best Travel Book

 

FICTION BOOKS
Only non-fiction books may be entered. Books of fiction, poetry, drama, short stories etc., are ineligible for the Boswell Prizes.

CRITERIA
Books will be judged by four criteria and equal weight will be given to each. The criteria are:

• The quality of writing.

• The quality of research.

• The originality of the book.

• The potential influence and/or impact of the book.

JUDGES
Each category will be judged by a panel of between three and six judges. The judging panels will be published on the Boswell Prizes website and amended from time to time, as necessary. The judges’ decisions are final and will not be subject to any appeal.

AUTHORS
Authors can be of any nationality and living anywhere in the world; this includes stateless persons and refugees. The author/s of the book must be living at the time it is entered. The book will only remain eligible for as long as its author/s are alive, up until the date of the Presentation Ceremony.

NUMBER OF AUTHORS
Eligible books can have been written by a single author, or up to three authors. If a book has been written by more than three authors, then the publisher must nominate three or fewer authors who will represent all the authors for the purposes of the Boswell Prizes. Illustrators, researchers, designers, editors etc are not considered to be authors for the purposes of the Boswell Prizes.

CLOSING DATE
Entries close at midnight, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), on Friday, 28 February 2025. Entries received after this date will be ineligible.

SHORTLISTS
A shortlist of three books in each category will be published on this website on 1 July, 2025.

PRESENTATION CEREMONY
The winners will be announced at the Presentation Ceremony which will take place in the Great Hall of Guildhall, London, on the evening of Wednesday 1 October 2025.

ATTENDANCE
It is a strict condition of entry that authors whose books are shortlisted, along with at least one representative of their publisher, or imprint, make themselves available for publicity and attend the Presentation Ceremony. Should a publisher or imprint have more than one shortlisted author, then at least one representative of the publisher and/or imprint must accompany each shortlisted author. Failure of a shortlisted author and his/her publisher/imprint to attend the Presentation Ceremony for reasons other than certified illness or bereavement will result in disqualification. Publishers are responsible for arranging their own and their author’s travel and accommodation for the Presentation Ceremony and covering costs.

PRIZES
The winning author will receive a trophy and a cash prize of £1,000. If the book was written by more than one author (maximum three) the cash prize will be divided equally among them, but each author will receive a trophy.