BLESSINGS by Chukwuebuka Ibeh is LONGLISTED for the 2024 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize

Chukwuebuka Ibeh's breakout debut BLESSINGS has been longlisted for the 2024 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize! The prize is convened by The Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation, whose mission they describe as follows:

The foundation’s aim is to open a space for these writers, young and old, from across the globe, to shine. The first stage of our mission will be to award an annual prize for adventure writing – the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. The next stage will be to reach out to writers and readers across the world, bringing the spirit of adventure into their lives and inspiring them to undertake their own journeys of discovery. More than anything we want the Wilbur and Niso Smith Foundation to be an organisation that uplifts, inspires and educates.”

Chukwuebuka is one of 12 longlistees for the £10,000 prize who were chosen by a panel of librarians and library staff from across the UK who meticulously reviewed more than 100 submissions from publishers and literary agents. The shortlist — revealed on 30th May — will be reviewed by a judging panel which consists of: Matt Barr, host of Looking Sideways Action Sports podcast and author; Lee Craigie, Active Nation Commissioner for Scotland and champion cyclist, Alasdair Harris, marine conservationist and founder of Blue Ventures; Sarah Outen, author and first woman and the youngest person to row solo across the Indian Ocean; and Emma Styles, author and winner of the 2023 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. 

The overall winner will be announced on 19th September; you can see the full longlist here.