Award-winning authors, broadcasters, critics and booksellers join the hunt for the year’s most exceptional books – full list of judges revealed below.
The 2026 judges for the Nero Book Awards, one of the most prestigious literary awards in the UK and Ireland, are announced today. Bringing together a star-studded mix of influential industry figures, this year’s panels include BBC Radio 4’s Adam Rutherford, celebrated RTÉ broadcaster Rick O’Shea and novelist Tracy Chevalier, known for her internationally bestselling novel Girl with A Pearl Earring.
Now in their fourth year, the Nero Book Awards have quickly cemented their place as one of ‘Britain and Ireland’s greatest literary prizes’ (The Times). The only multi-category award solely for authors based in the UK and Ireland, the Awards recognise books with writing of the highest quality and universal appeal across four categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Debut Fiction and Children’s Fiction.
This year’s judges will seek books that are enjoyable, highly readable and that can be recommended to anyone. The shortlists they choose will provide readers of all tastes with a combination of high-quality writing and universal appeal.
The 2026 judging line-up also includes: Caroline Carpenter, Children’s Editor and Deputy Features Editor for The Bookseller; Francesca Brown, freelance books journalist for Stylist; Sharon Nightingale, Buying Manager at WHSmith, and Aisha Bushby, award-winning children’s author, known for A Pocketful of Stars.
The judges will each select four titles in their category – creating a 16-strong shortlist – before choosing an overall winner. The four category winners will then compete for the prestigious Nero Gold Prize, awarded by a final judging panel to the overall book of the year. The Nero Gold Prize winner will receive £30,000, while category winners will receive £5,000 each. Eligible books must have been published in the UK or Ireland between 1st December 2025 and 30th November 2026.
Previous winners of the coveted Nero Gold Prize include The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhirst and A Family Matter by Claire Lynch.
The Nero Book Awards are run as a not-for-profit organisation by independent, family-owned coffee house group Caffè Nero, in partnership with The Booksellers Association and Brunel University of London. The Awards form part of the premium coffee house’s long-standing commitment to supporting the arts, recognising notable talent in a particular craft and fostering a love of reading in communities across the UK and Ireland.
Gerry Ford, Founder and CEO, Caffè Nero, said: “I’m proud that the Nero Book Awards are one of the most prestigious literary awards in the UK and Ireland. They have also become a trusted guide for readers, not only celebrating great writing, but shining a spotlight on and recommending the very best books by British and Irish writers. This year’s judges consist of some of the most influential names in the industry, and I am confident they will unearth the very best writing the year has had to offer.”
The 2026 Nero Gold Prize will be awarded on 10th March 2026, at an evening ceremony at the Outernet in central London.