Tom Grass Prize 2026: A Night of Stories, Spirit, and Celebration
On 11th June, we returned to a room above a Bloomsbury pub for another luminous celebration of literature, adventure, and the extraordinary spirit that defined Tom Grass. Seven of our ten shortlisted finalists joined us in person, with three more dialling in from afar.
It was a real honour to have Charles Cumming, the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of twelve novels including A Spy by Nature, Typhoon, The Trinity Six and The Thomas Kell trilogy, present this year's prizes and read excerpts from the top three stories.
Huge congratulations to our winner, Bryony Lorimer, for "Pride of Prestwick". You can read it, along with the full shortlist booklet, here on our website.
We were also honoured to hear from Rick Waller of the Charlie Waller Trust and Emily Elgar of the Enaikishomi School and Community Project, the two charities supported by the prize, both born, like the prize itself, from family loss to suicide. Their words gave real weight and purpose to the evening.
And of course, a huge thank you to our sponsor, Steppes Travel, for their generosity and support throughout.
Some very excited and talented writers, recognised and energised; charities that felt seen and supported; and a room full of friends, united by shared affection and memories of Tom. That's what made the evening - thank you to everyone who was part of it.
A few photo highlights from the night below — if you spot yourself in a picture you'd rather wasn't here, just let us know and we'll remove it straight away.
