We’re absolutely delighted to reveal the six books which make up the 2018 Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlist!

Chosen by our brilliant 2018 judging panel, this year’s shortlist features one previously shortlisted author and three debut novels.

Sarah Sands, 2018 chair of judges and Editor of BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme said: “The shortlist was chosen without fear or favour. We lost some big names, with regret, but narrowed down the list to the books which spoke most directly and truthfully to the judges,” said Sarah Sands, Chair of Judges. “The themes of the shortlist have both contemporary and lasting resonance encompassing the birth of the internet, race, sexual violence, grief, oh and mermaids. Some of the authors are young, half by Brits and all are blazingly good and brave writers.”

The shortlist is as follows:

Elif Batuman, The Idiot
Imogen Hermes Gowar, The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock
Jessie Greengrass, Sight
Meena Kandasamy, When I Hit You: Or, A Portrait of the Writer as a Young Wife
Kamila Shamsie, Home Fire
Jesmyn Ward, Sing, Unburied, Sing

Did your favourite make the cut? Join in the conversation on Twitter @WomensPrize

Plus! Keep your eyes peeled for two chances to win the shortlist! Don’t miss out, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.