HOW TO ENTER

The Pol Roger Duff Cooper Prize is an annual book award for non-fiction published in the United Kingdom. The next winner will be announced in March 2027.

The judges look for compelling narrative, imaginative insight, scholarship and good writing.

ELIGIBLE BOOKS

We do not accept direct submissions from authors. A title may be submitted only by its UK publisher.

Titles eligible for the 71st Pol Roger Duff Cooper Prize must be published by an imprint with a formal presence in the UK, between 1 January and 31 December 2026. Self-published works are ineligible, as are translations and multi-volume works. For examples of the kinds of books shortlisted, refer to the list of previous winners.

The submission of an author’s work by the publisher will be taken as agreement by the author that they are willing for the submitted work to be considered and will abide by the rules and conditions of the Prize.

NOMINATION AND SUBMISSION FOR 71st POL ROGER DUFF COOPER PRIZE

Publishers and publishers’ imprints wishing to submit up to five 2026 titles for consideration by the judges should complete the nomination form below before 1 June 2026. The judges may also call in eligible books they wish to consider throughout the year, via the Prize Director, Artemis Cooper.

RULES & CONDITIONS

By entering the Prize, the publishers and authors of the shortlisted and winning titles are agreeing to co-operate actively in promoting the books and the Prize.

There is no charge for entering, but every title shortlisted for the Prize will incur a contribution of £1,000 from the publishers towards the marketing of the Prize.

The publisher of the winning title agrees to contribute an additional £1,000 towards marketing.

In the event of a book being shortlisted, the publisher agrees to

  • Ensure that the winning title prominently displays the words ‘Winner of the Pol Roger Duff Cooper Prize’ according to the brand guidelines on the cover of all editions of the winner of the Prize, including paperback, ebook and audio editions.

  • Supply book synopsis, author biography, high-resolution colour photographs of the author and book cover cleared for perpetual royalty-free use for any media and publicity associated with the Prize.

  • Provide any other communications materials requested to support the shortlist and winner campaign, such as extracts and images.

  • Where possible, secure the attendance of the author at the event announcing the winner, which will be held in central London.

  • Where possible make the author available for activities to promote the Prize e.g. events, interviews and other promotional activities, as and if arranged.

NOMINATION FORM FOR PUBLISHERS

No titles will be considered by the judges without this form.

Name
Book(s) for Consideration
Book(s) for Consideration

Please consider the following non-fiction book(s) for the 71st Pol Roger Duff Cooper Prize, which will be awarded in 2027

Author
Title
Publication date (dd/mm/yy)
 

On behalf of both Publisher/imprint and Author, I am authorised to agree to the rules of the Prize as displayed on the How To Enter page, including

  • the commitment to support the marketing of the Prize shortlist and winner by contributing £1,000 per title towards the marketing costs of the Prize should one or more of our titles be shortlisted.
  • the commitment to promoting the Prize on the covers of the shortlisted titles
Clear Signature