We are delighted to reveal this year’s Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlist, which this year features six writers who have never previously been shortlisted for the Prize.

This year’s shortlist includes two British authors, two American, one Barbadian, and one Ghanaian/ American author. The six books have been selected by the Chair of judges Bernardine Evaristo and her judging panel: podcaster, author and journalist, Elizabeth Day; TV and radio presenter, journalist and writer, Vick Hope; print columnist and writer, Nesrine Malik; and news presenter and broadcaster, Sarah-Jane Mee.

Chair of judges and novelist Bernardine Evaristo, says: ‘Coming up with a longlist of sixteen books for this prize was relatively easy compared to whittling the selection down to six novels, which by necessity demands more consensus. Sadly, we had to lose so many exceptional books that we loved. However, with this shortlist, we are excited to present a gloriously varied and thematically rich exploration of women’s fiction at its finest. These novels will take the reader from a rural Britain left behind to the underbelly of a community in Barbados; from inside the hectic performance of social media to inside a family beset by addiction and oppression; from a tale of racial hierarchy in America to a mind-expanding tale of altered perceptions. Fiction by women defies easy categorisation or stereotyping, and all of these novels grapple with society’s big issues expressed through thrilling storytelling. We feel passionate about them, and we hope readers do too.’

The six shortlisted books are as follows:

The 26th winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction will be announced on Wednesday 8th September at an Awards Ceremony in London.

Join all six of shortlisted authors, hosted by Kate Mosse, at our 2021 Virtual Shortlist Festival. Get your tickets now >

Watch the virtual announcement below with our brilliant judges and listen to them read from the shortlisted books: