The Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction – the UK’s only annual book award for fiction written by a woman – is delighted to announce the 2015 shortlist.

This year’s six shortlisted books were whittled down from a twenty-strong longlist. This year’s selection includes five previously shortlisted authors and one debut novelist.

Chair of judges, Shami Chakrabarti, says of the shortlist, “You’ve heard of fantasy football? Well, short-listing for the 2015 Baileys Prize was the fantasy book club of a lifetime.”

“The novels we shared and the shortlist we ultimately honour form a body of great women’s writing to entertain and inspire for many years to come.”

The judges must now choose an overall winner, to be announced at an awards ceremony in The Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, on 3rd June 2015.