Outdoor Writing Awards

ShAFF OUTDOOR WRITING AWARDS 2027

In association with Ramble Worldwide, ShAFF is launching the very first Outdoor Writing Awards (OWA) - a brand new celebration of the writers and books that enrich our outdoors culture in ways that are truly special.

For years, ShAFF has championed outdoor adventure film and the people who make it but the outdoors world isn't only built on screen. It lives just as much in the pages of guidebooks that get us up the hill, in memoirs that carry us to wild places, and in the books that spark a child's love of adventure before they've even laced up their boots. The OWA is our way of shining a spotlight on that world and on the creative, generous and impactful work writers do for our outdoor industry.

Who Can Enter?

In a word: everyone. The OWA celebrates all writers, whether you're self-published or traditionally published Books just need to have been published within the past two years (1st Jan 2025 to 30th Nov 2026).

Submissions are open across three categories:

• Guidebooks - the books that get us out the door and show us where to go when we get there.
• Narrative non-fiction or memoir - first-hand accounts of adventure, challenge and a life lived outdoors.
• Children's books - books for children (not by children) that plant the seeds of a lifelong love of the outdoors.
• Made In Sheffield - from the Steel City, for the outdoors.

The Prizes

Each category winner will receive a cash prize of £100. Modest perhaps but hopefully meaningful, and more importantly, a genuine mark of recognition from the outdoors community.

Our Judges

We're delighted to have recruited four wonderful judges to read, debate and select the winners: Jo Moseley, Anisah Barber, our very own Frit Tam, and Jeff Sisson from our headline sponsor of the awards, Ramble Worldwide.

All big readers, lovers of the outdoors and champions of the people who write about it.

How to Enter

DEADLINE - 30th November 2026

The submission deadline is 30th November 2026, so there's no time like the present. If you've written a book, published one, or know someone who has, submit your book here.

And if you're not a writer yourself? You can still help. Share this with outdoor authors and publishers you know, and help us make the first OWA one to remember.

We are beyond excited to be launching this new literary arm of ShAFF, and we can't wait to read what comes in.

Happy writing, submitting and reading!

SUBMIT YOUR BOOK HERE

Terms and Conditions

1. The Awards

The Outdoor Writing Awards ("the Awards") are organised by Sheffield Adventure Film Festival, the team behind ShAFF ("the Organiser"). By submitting a book to the Awards, the submitter ("the Entrant") agrees to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

2. Eligibility

2.1 Books may be submitted in one of the following three categories: Guidebooks; Non-fiction Narrative or Memoir; and Children's Books (books for children, not by children).

2.2 Books must have been first published between 1 January 2025 and 30 November 2026.

2.3 Books must be in English and must be available in print format. 

2.4 Self-published and traditionally published works are equally welcome. Translated works are eligible provided the translation was first published within the qualifying period. 

2.5 Books by authors directly involved in the organisation or judging of the Awards, or by their immediate family, are not eligible.

2.6 The Organiser reserves the right to reject any submission that does not meet these criteria, or that it considers inappropriate for the Awards, at its sole discretion.

3. How to Enter

3.1 Submissions must be made via https://forms.gle/KuG13RpjnEhQcknE6 no later than 23:59 GMT on 30 November 2026. Submissions received after this deadline will not be accepted.

3.2 Each submission must include author and publisher contact details, category, and publication date. Each book may be entered into one category only.

3.3 Entrants will be required to send 3 physical copies of each submitted book to ShAFF c/o Frit Tam, Pinder Bros Ltd, Sheaf Plate Works, Arundel Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 1DJ for the judging panel. Copies should be sent so that they arrive by 7th December 2026. Digital copies will still be considered if at least 2 physical copies can be submitted.

3.4 Submitted copies will not be returned, so please do not send anything you need back.

3.5 There is no entry fee. 

4. Judging

4.1 Entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges appointed by the Organiser. The judges' decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.

4.2 The judges reserve the right to not award a prize in any category if, in their opinion, no entry meets the standard required.

5. Prizes

5.1 The winning book in each category will receive a cash prize of £100.

5.2 Prizes are not transferable, and there is no cash alternative of a different amount or other substitute.

5.3 Winners will be notified by email by Feb/March 2027 and may be announced publicly from March 2027.

6. Rights and Permissions

6.1 Entrants confirm that they hold, or have the publisher's authority to grant, all rights necessary to submit the book, and that the book does not infringe the rights of any third party.

6.2 Copyright in all submitted books remains with the author and/or publisher.

6.3 By entering, Entrants grant the Organiser permission to use the book's title, cover image, author name and photograph, and short excerpts for the purpose of promoting the Awards, the shortlist and the winners, across its website, social media, press materials and at ShAFF events.

6.4 Entrants agree to take part in reasonable publicity relating to the Awards where possible (for example, interviews or social media features). 

7. Data Protection

7.1 Personal data supplied with a submission will be used only to administer the Awards, contact Entrants, and promote the shortlist and winners, and applicable data protection law. Contact details will not be sold or passed to third parties other than the judging panel for the purpose of judging.

8. General

8.1 The Organiser reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions, extend deadlines, or cancel or suspend the Awards where circumstances beyond its control make this necessary. Any changes will be published at on the ShAFF website and submitters will be notified.

8.2 Nothing in these Terms limits liability for death, personal injury or fraud caused by the Organiser's negligence, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be limited. Otherwise, the Organiser accepts no liability for loss or damage arising from participation in the Awards.

8.3 These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and any disputes fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

8.4 Any questions about the Awards should be sent to owa@shaff.co.uk