Our thinking

The Power of Sustainable Stories

2 May, 2025

Great storytelling can change minds – but sustainable storytelling? That just might just change the world. With their brand-new Sustainable Story Award, the World of Books is on a mission to make sure books don’t cost the Earth (literally) by empowering authors who make sustainability the focus of their next book.  

 Any UK-based author that has been published at least once can compete for the first prize of £15,000 or runner up prizes of £5,000. In addition to financial support, winners will also be mentored by industry experts to support them with their career journey. 

World of Books CEO Dan Mucha says that the purpose of the award is to “invest in authors whose stories shape our understanding of the global climate emergency, and the people and movements working to protect our environment”. In other words, the prize recognizes the power of storytelling in creating change, and the fact that sustainability is not just about how the book is printed but the message it carries. And the best ones? They don’t just turn pages, they turn tides. 

To enter, authors must submit a short book proposal, the first three chapters of their book and a short statement on how their work contributes to sustainability discourse. Stories, which can be fiction, non-fiction or children’s books, must explore environmental, social or economic themes. So, if you’re interested in applying, the deadline is 6th July 2025. 

By Cecilia Pessoa