Intl. Dylan Thomas Prize 2018: A Shortlist Celebration at British Library

With live readings from the shortlisted writers

The annual Swansea University International Dylan Thomas Prize is one of the most prestigious awards for young writers. It encourages raw creative talent worldwide and celebrates international literary excellence. I’m honoured to be one of this year’s judges.

Launched in 2006, the £30,000 Prize is awarded to best published literary work in the English language written by an author aged 39 or under. The 2017 winner was Fiona Macfarlane for her critically acclaimed collection of short stories, The High Places.

Join us for live readings from shortlisted authors and an audience Q&A, just a few days before this year’s prize is awarded.
This year’s shortlisted writers are:

Zambian-born poet, MC and music producer Kayo Chingonyi (31) for his debut collection of poetry ‘Kumakanda’, which explores the rites of passage boys go through to become men, the intersection of masculinity and race and what it means to be British and not British, all at once.

Cuban-American short-story writer Carmen Maria Machado’s (31) debut short story collection ‘Her Body & Other Parties’ explores the eroticism, violence and emotion of the female experience through a potent mix of science fiction, ghost stories and fairytales.

Six-time British novelist Gwendoline Riley (39) has been shortlisted for ‘First Love’, a compelling tale of toxic love and poisonous partnerships which has been shortlisted for the Bailey’s Women’s Prize for Fiction and the Goldsmiths Prize.

Irish debut novelist and Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Sally Rooney (27) has been called the ‘Salinger for the Snapchat generation’ for her runaway success ‘Conversations with Friends’

Debut American novelist Emily Ruskovich (33) is shortlisted for her thriller hit Idaho, which tells the story of a mother suddenly killing her six-year-old daughter.

American thriller author Gabriel Tallent (30) has been shortlisted for his debut novel ‘My Absolute Darling,’ called ‘the year’s must-read novel’ by The Times and ‘a masterpiece’ by Stephen King.