IN its 28th year, the Women's Prize for Fiction puts a spotlight on great, ambitious, unique fiction published in English by women from anywhere around the globe.
The 2023 longlist includes 16 captivating novels by debut writers, and up-and-coming authors as well as new works by previous Women's Prize winners.
While NoViolet Bulawayo, who was twice shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Sophie Mackintosh, who was longlisted for the Booker Prize, are both receiving their first nominations, past Women's Prize shortlisters Natalie Haynes, Laline Paull, and Elizabeth McKenzie have all made this year's longlist as well.
Chair of judges, broadcaster and writer Louise Minchin said: “This year’s longlist is a glorious celebration of the boundless imagination and creative ambition of women writers over the past year.
“Every one of these 16 books is excellent and original in its own individual way; they all offer fresh perspectives on history and humanity, exploring hard truths with empathy, sensitivity, directness, and sometimes infectious humour.
“There is something here for all readers! It has truly been a life-enhancing experience to judge the Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist this year, and we are looking forward to celebrating these voices that need to be heard.”
Minchin is joined on the judging panel by novelist Rachel Joyce; journalist, podcaster, and writer Bella Mackie; novelist and short story writer Irenosen Okojie; and Tulip Siddiq, member of Parliament.
These 16 works will now be narrowed down by the judging panel to a shortlist of six books, which will be unveiled on April 26.
On June 14, the 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction winner will be revealed.
The Women's award was established in 1996 after the Booker prize failed to nominate any women five years earlier. The award's companion prize for women's non-fiction, which will present its first laureate in 2024, was unveiled earlier this year.
The 16 longlisted books are as follows:
- Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris
- Children of Paradise by Camilla Grudova
- Cursed Bread by Sophie Mackintosh
- Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
- Fire Rush by Jacqueline Crooks
- Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo
- Homesick by Jennifer Croft
- I’m a Fan by Sheena Patel
- Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow
- Pod by Laline Paull
- Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
- The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff
- The Dog of the North by Elizabeth McKenzie
- The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell
- Trespasses by Louise Kennedy
- Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin. – The Vibes, March 8, 2023
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