The finalists for the 2023 Dylan Thomas Prize have been released!
The Dylan Thomas Prize is an annual literary award that celebrates the work of young writers from around the world. It was named after the Welsh poet and writer Dylan Thomas, and was established in 2006 to honor his legacy and support emerging writers.
The prize is open to writers aged 39 or under who have published a book of literary merit in English, in the genres of fiction, poetry, drama, or literary non-fiction. The winner of the prize receives £20,000 (approximately $24,600 USD), making it one of the richest literary awards for young writers.
The judging panel for the Dylan Thomas Prize includes prominent writers, critics, and scholars from the literary world, and past winners have gone on to achieve great success in their careers. Some notable past winners include Namwali Serpell, Fiona McFarlane, Max Porter, and Ocean Vuong.
In addition to the prize money, the winner of the Dylan Thomas Prize also receives a bronze trophy, designed by the Welsh sculptor Nick Elphick, and is invited to participate in a series of events and readings around the world.
The Dylan Thomas Prize is an important platform for young writers, and has helped to launch the careers of many talented authors. It celebrates the power of literature to inspire, challenge, and enrich our lives, and encourages us to explore new voices and perspectives from around the world.
The finalists for the award are:
- God’s Children are Little Broken Things by Arinze Ifeakandu
- Seven Steeples by Sara Baume
- I’m a Fan by Sheena Patel
- Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in Her Head by Warsan Shire
- Send Nudes by Saba Sams
- Limberlost by Robbie Arnott
The winner of the prize will be announced on May 11th, just before International Dylan Thomas Day on May 14th.