International Dylan Thomas Prize Longlist 2019

** BREAKING NEWS ** HOT OFF THE PRESS **

Super excited to share this scoop with you! The INTERNATIONAL DYLAN THOMAS PRIZE LONGLIST 2019 is announced! Have you read any of the books on the list?
Do you know any of these talented authors?

The DYLAN THOMAS PRIZE is an award for young authors, “aimed at encouraging raw creative talent worldwide.” If you check out the books (just follow the links in the list, I’ve made it easy for you) you see enchanting books, gripping, at times shocking novels and inspirational poetry collections. Each book stands out in its own way. All books are fascinating, intriguing, and make for an exceptional read.

Louisa Hall‘s ‘Trinity‘ caught my eye – a work of fiction but it has the feel of a biography of the ‘father of the atomic bomb’ Robert Oppenheimer. ‘Melmoth‘ by Sarah Perry is described as “intense and unnerving,” and Jennie Xie‘s poetry collection ‘Eye Level‘ receives high praise: “Bold and beautifully written.”

Without further ado I give you… *drumrolls* the Swansea University Press Announcement!

Swansea University’s Press Announcement

The Swansea University International Dylan Thomas Prize is excited to announce that this year’s longlist celebrates a whole host of debut authors, including eight dynamic and unique female writers, of which three are debut novelists and one is celebrating her debut poetry collection, and four amazing new, critically acclaimed, debut male voices.

Costa Novel Award Winner Sally Rooney, debut nurse turned novelist Emma Glass, critically acclaimed Man Booker Prize Longlisted debut author Guy Gunaratne and breakout short story writer Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, are amongst the 12 authors on the longlist for the £30,000 Swansea University International Dylan Thomas Prize. 

Recognised for its celebration of experimental and challenging young voices in contemporary writing, this year’s longlist highlights the challenging world we live in by tackling head-on difficult topics – including domestic violence, mental health, rape, racism, gender, and identity.

This year’s longlist of 12 books comprises eight novels, two short story collections and two poetry collections:

• Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, Friday Black – Short Story Collection
• Michael Donkor, Hold 
• Clare Fisher, How the Light Gets In  – Short Story Collection
• Zoe Gilbert, Folk 
• Emma Glass, Peach 
• Guy Gunaratne, In Our Mad and Furious City 
• Louisa Hall, Trinity 
• Sarah Perry, Melmoth 
• Sally Rooney, Normal People 
• Richard Scott, Soho – Poetry Collection
• Novuyo Rosa Tshuma, House of Stone 
• Jenny Xie, Eye Level  – Poetry Collection

The Jury

The twelve longlisted titles will be judged by a panel chaired by Professor Dai Smith CBE with Professor Kurt Heinzelman; BBC Broadcaster Di Speirs and award-winning novelist Kit de Waal.

Shortlist & Winner

Mark the Dates in your Calendar!

·         Shortlist will be announced 12:00 GMT Tuesday 2^nd April 2019

·         British Library Event Wednesday 15^th May 2019

·         Winner will be announced at the evening of Thursday 16^th May 2019 during a special Award Ceremony, Swansea.