Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature

The Boardman Tasker Charitable Trust invites publishers to submit entries for the Boardman Tasker Award, one of the most prestigious prizes in mountain literature. The prize was established in 1983 in memory of British climbers Peter Boardman and Joe Tasker, both of whom wrote books about their mountaineering expeditions, after their deaths on the northeast ridge of Mount Everest in 1982.

The award recognises the best literary work — fiction, non-fiction, drama, or poetry — whose central theme concerns the mountain environment.

Eligible works must be written in English (or translated into English) and first published or distributed in the United Kingdom between 1 July 2025 and 1 July 2026. Authors of any nationality are eligible, and self-published books are accepted.

Entries must be submitted by publishers rather than authors directly (unless self-published), and must include four physical copies of the book, a completed entry form, a PDF copy, a cover image, and a short summary of up to 40 words.

The prize winner is announced at the Award Ceremony held at the Kendal Mountain Festival in late November. Shortlisted Authors will be requested to attend the Award Ceremony and participate in the Shortlisted Authors (SLA) event to talk about their books.

Prize: £3,000

Is this competition legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any event, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work.

FAQ
If you are curious how writing competitions work, or it’s your first time entering one, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page first.