All the books on the longlist for the Walter Scott book prize
Twelve of the best historical novelists have been longlisted for a £25,000 award named after famous Scottish writer and poet Sir Walter Scott.
There Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction longlist will be narrowed down from 12 to a shortlist in May, with the winner announced at the Borders Book Festival in June.
The novels on the longlist are:
The Heart In Winter by Kevin Barry
The Catchers by Xan Brooks
Mother Naked by Glen James Brown
Clear by Carys Davies
The Mare by Angharad Hampshire
The Book of Days by Francesca Kay
The First Friend by Malcolm Knox
Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon
A Sign of Her Own by Sarah Marsh
The Land In Winter by Andrew Miller
Munichs by David Peace
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden.
More than half the books on the list are from independent publishers and small presses.
The settings of the longlisted novels span centuries, and even millennia, right up to events within living memory.
Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) was a novelist, historian, poet and playwright.
The prize is managed by the Abbotsford Trust with support from the Hawthornden Foundation, the Buccleuch Living Heritage Trust and the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry in memory of Elizabeth Buccleuch.
Chairwoman of the judges Katie Grant said: 'It has been exciting to read the diverse crop of novels on the WSP 2025 Longlist.
'We've discovered little-known aspects of our collective pasts, experienced excesses of human behaviour and been placed so authentically in the middle of the action that we've felt part of the action.
'We're delighted to celebrate debut and emerging writers published by small presses, as well as more established authors and publishers.
'With two new judges on board, including one of the first winners of the Young Walter Scott Prize, we look forward to testing these novels against the prize criteria of originality, innovation, longevity and quality, and then debating the merits of all twelve books and choosing our shortlist later this spring.'
Matthew Maxwell Scott, Walter Scott's great-great-great-great grandson and trustee of The Abbotsford Trust, which operates the Prize, said: 'Walter Scott, founding father of the historical novel, understood that our present is shaped by the tales we tell ourselves of the past.
'The Walter Scott Prize, now run from the vibrant hub of his great home, Abbotsford, shines a spotlight on the very best new historical fiction from across the UK, Ireland and the Commonwealth.
'In recognising excellence, the prize honours Scott's legacy by inspiring more people to discover the joy and value of historical fiction, supporting both new and established writers in their careers and bringing readers and authors of this illustrious genre together to celebrate and question each other.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Scotland star ties the knot at plush Scottish wedding venue with team-mates in attendance
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LAWRENCE SHANKLAND might not be on international duty with Scotland this week but the Hearts striker had a few days to remember away from football. The Hearts and Scotland striker tied the knot with his new wife Nicole at a plush Scottish wedding venue at the end of last month. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Lawrence Shankland with his new wife Nicole 2 They enjoyed a walk along the beachfront Shankland, 29, had been engaged to Nicole since 2022 until they made it official on May 30 at the Seamill Hydro hotel in West Kilbride. The award-winning seaside hotel shared a stunning video detailing the special day for the newly-weds. In a short clip posted on Instagram, Lawrence and Nicole were filmed walking along the beachfront in the beautiful Ayrshire sun. It also showed Nicole posing for pictures in front of the shore, with Lawrence captured inside the hotel lobby, and both of them meeting up again outside the entrance. The couple shared intimidate moments both inside and outside of the hotel, while also being filmed when catching up their with their groomsmen and bridesmaids. The video also provides fans with a behind the scenes sneak peek of the wedding venue and how it all looked on the day for Mr and Mrs Shankland. The striker was joined by a number of his Hearts team-mates for the big day. Shankland will be enjoying his well-earned time off from football after season finished before his big day. But it won't be a quiet summer for the 29-year-old as he has a big decision to make on his future in football. Shankland is nearing the very end of his Hearts contract and could leave the club in the coming weeks. New Jambos boss Derek McInnes is keen to hold onto him but the striker has interest from down south. West Brom and Southampton have expressed interest in signing the forward on a free transfer. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Armed officer sues Police Scotland over suspension after TikTok Tallia Storm incident
Steven Jones is taking Police Scotland to court after being suspended over an incident involving singer Tallia Storm. A firearms officer is taking legal action against Police Scotland alleging he was unfairly suspended after footage of an "incident" was shared on TikTok. Steven Jones, 35, appeared before an employment tribunal in Edinburgh on Monday, June 9, where he is suing the force for sex discrimination. Mr Jones claims his actions were unfairly labelled 'misogynistic' and that he was penalised due to Police Scotland management's concerns about the armed response unit being seen as having a 'boys' club mentality'. The tribunal heard that the incident occurred on March 1, 2024, when a video posted by Scottish singer Tallia Storm showed Mr Jones and his colleague stepping out of their marked police vehicle on Edinburgh's Cowgate to take a photo with her. In the footage, Mr Jones can be seen taking the picture while his partner poses with Storm, reports EdinburghLive. Mr Jones told the tribunal he was later 'chastised' by senior officers who described his conduct as 'misogynistic' and criticised him for stopping in a busy pedestrian and traffic area. He said the force reacted negatively due to public backlash over the video. He believes he was treated unfairly because of 'past instances of misogyny' involving other officers in the firearms unit, and that his own actions were wrongly framed in that context. He told the tribunal: "Because of the word 'misogyny,' it made me feel it was because I as a male interacting with a female that it was viewed through that lens. If a member of the other sex had that interaction, it wouldn't have happened." His solicitor, Mr Merck, referenced a previous high-profile case involving female firearms officer Rhona Malone, who received nearly £1 million in compensation after an employment tribunal ruled she had been victimised by the force on the basis of her sex. Mr Jones believes that case influenced how his own behaviour was judged. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. He said: "It really surprised me. I was extremely upset and shocked because I knew I had to disclose to my partner what I had been accused of and explain to my family." At the time of the incident, Mr Jones and his colleague were on "parliament duty," patrolling areas around the Scottish Parliament including the Cowgate and Grassmarket. While driving through Cowgate, they encountered a large crowd and slowed the vehicle. Mr Jones said he then recognised Tallia Storm in the crowd. "I knew who she was due to the publicity and her being the Capital DJ host at the time. She was on the side of trams and buses," he said. He and his partner left the vehicle — which held secured firearms — for what he estimated to be about a minute, possibly less. Mr Jones claimed the singer was "ecstatic" about the photo opportunity and added: "There was no rude behaviour or catcalling. I present myself courteously and was calm in the situation. We engaged in conversation to ascertain that a Q&A was being held. It looked like she was making her way over. We very quickly introduced ourselves, it was a polite interaction." He said that throughout the encounter, they ensured their police vehicle remained secure. Despite this, Mr Jones was later suspended — a sanction he believes was disproportionate. He told the tribunal: "It is our job to engage with people. We don't police with fear, we police by good interactions with the public. The last thing I'd ever want is the public to fear the police and to fear me. I always speak to people as a human being. I meet them where they are." Mr Jones joined Police Scotland in March 2017 and completed his authorised firearms officer training in June 2023. He told the tribunal he had ambitions of becoming a national firearms instructor and had been encouraged to apply for a role in counterterrorism. But since the incident, he says he has been demoted to a desk-based role, handling "low-level daily calls" — a stark contrast to his previous work dealing with "very high risk incidents" and high-stakes decision making within the firearms unit. The five-day tribunal, overseen by Employment Judge Amanda Jones, continues.
Glasgow Times
4 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Motherwell event to explore the history of Ravenscraig plant
Ravenscraig – A Fragile Correspondence is set to take place on Tuesday, June 10, offering attendees a chance to engage directly with the history of the area. The free event, organised by North Lanarkshire Council, is set to take place at the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Centre in Motherwell featuring artists closely connected to North Lanarkshire. Read more: Gala day featuring football match with Still Game star to take place in Glasgow It aims to blend art, nature, and community, offering an artist-led walk and an outdoor film screening allowing people a chance to explore the historical site that was once Scotland's largest steelworks. Frank McElhinney, from Craigneuk, and Motherwell-based Hamshya Rajkumar will guide an interactive Artwalk through Ravenscraig from 4.45pm to 6.15pm. The walk, organised by Tine Collective, invites participants to engage directly with the historic site, once Scotland's largest steelworks, now a mix of post-industrial history and nature. From 6.30pm to 7.30pm, attendees will then be treated to an outdoor screening of Boundary Layers. The 16-minute film by writer and artist Amanda Thomson reflects on Ravenscraig's past and present. Amanda will introduce the screening alongside project partners, offering insight into the film's inspirations and themes. Ravenscraig – A Fragile Correspondence is organised by North Lanarkshire's Arts and is open to everyone, aiming to showcase Ravenscraig in a refreshing light. Read more: Viral Glasgow food stall 'expecting' as team set to open exciting new restaurant For those relying on public transport, a coach service will be available from Motherwell train station to Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, departing at 6.15pm and returning at 7.30pm. The exhibition is co-curated by the Architecture Fringe, a volunteer-run festival designed to highlight design, architecture, and the built environment. Whether you're an art lover, a nature enthusiast, or simply looking for something different to do, this event is set to offer a novel experience of a historic Scottish landmark.
