THE Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlist has been announced today (April 16).

The UK’s annual book award carries a £30,000 prize and was formerly known as the Orange Prize for Fiction.

Five judges – one of whom is writer Rachel Johnson, sister of Orpington MP Jo Johnson – have whittled down the longlisted novels to a six-strong shortlist.

The announcement was made at the London Book Fair in Earls Court at 9.30am this morning. 

The novels are:

  • Life after Life by Kate Atkinson,
  • May We Be Forgiven by A. M Homes
  • Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver
  • Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel
  • Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Marie Semple
  • NW by Zadie Smith

For the first time, this year’s shortlist includes two previous winners of the Orange Prize - Barbara Kingsolver who won the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2010 for The Lacuna and Zadie Smith who won in 2006 for On Beauty. 

The Women’s Prize for Fiction began in 1996 after the Booker Prize shortlist five years before included no female authors at all. It recognises  excellence, originality and accessibility in writing by women from throughout the world.

The winner will be presented with a cheque for £30,000 and a limited edition bronze statue, known as The Bessie, created by artist Grizel Nive, at a ceremony on June 5.

Chair of judges Miranda Richardson said: “The shortlist for 2013 represents six tremendous writers at the top of their game.

"Their individual novels are flawlessly presented, they contain a heady mix of ideas and without exception take the reader on a unique and deeply satisfying journey.”

For more information, please visit: womensprizeforfiction.co.uk

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