The much-anticipated Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist was announced in the early hours of this morning, on International Women’s Day. A record-breaking number of submissions were received this year, and the final 16 title longlist is a diverse mix of established and debut voices. What’s more, we’re thrilled to see so many writers on the list with a close connection to Norwich, UNESCO City of Literature.

‘The judges had an unusually large number of books of extraordinary quality to choose from this year, and so I can’t say that it was an easy process to come up with a list as short as sixteen,” commented Tessa Ross, Chair of Judges. ‘However, we’re all thrilled by where we’ve ended up and truly excited by the quality and range of talent on this year’s longlist. It’s a great showcase for the very best contemporary women’s fiction – we hope that it will inspire readers everywhere.’

The Power by Naomi Alderman

an exciting call for new trainee writers.

Naomi is Professor of Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. She has been mentored by Margaret Atwood, who also features on the Baileys longlist, as part of the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative.

‘The Power is a fascinating look at what the world might be like if millennia of sexism went the other way…as a whole the narrative feels ingenious…deserves to be read by every woman (and, for that matter, every man)’ – The Times

Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood

Twitter). She spent three months living in the city as UEA’s third UNESCO Visiting Professor for Creative Writing in 2014.

Margaret is the author of more than fourty books of fiction, poetry and critical essays including The Handmaid’s Tale, the Booker-winning The Blind Assassin, the MaddAddam trilogy and her latest novel, The Heart Goes Last. Her work has received many awards around the world. She has also worked as a cartoonist, illustrator, librettist, playwright and puppeteer.

‘Riotous, insanely readable’

It also seems pertinent to mention that The Handmaid’s Tale was one of the books involved in that argument between Susan Hill and an independent bookshop…

‘Riotous, insanely readable and just the best fun… The novel builds to a fantastic climax of dark calamity… There is so much exuberance and heart and wonder in this novel that the only thing I want to happen next is for Atwood to rewrite the whole of Shakespeare. (No offence, Will.)’ – Viv Groskop, Observer

The Lesser Bohemians by Eimear McBride

The Book Hive. Eimear was selected as a showcased writer for WCN’s International Literature Showcase in 2015.

‘one of our major novelists’

Eimear will abe joined by Sarah Hall and Megan Bradbury for a lively, funny discussion on art and sexuality at Norfolk & Norwich Festival 2017. Buy tickets now. 

‘Confirms McBride’s status as one of our major novelists . . . the life here radiates through the pages and illuminates ours.’ – Guardian

The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

You can read a blog on her experience here.

Her first novel, After Me Comes the Flood, was longlisted for the Guardian First Book Award and the Folio Prize, and won the East Anglian Book of the Year Award, in 2014. The following year, she opened the Awards with a wonderful speech that described her love of East Anglia and the radical women who have resided here.

‘a novel to relish’

The Essex Serpent was the Waterstones Book of the Year 2016, was shortlisted for the 2016 Costa Novel Award and longlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize 2017.

Sarah is one of 40 showcased writers taking part in the International Literature Showcase.

She will be joined by Lucy Hughes-Hallett and Anjali Joseph for an event on British and Indian writing at Norfolk & Norwich Festival 2017. Buy tickets now,

‘The Essex Serpent is a novel to relish: a work of great intelligence and charm, by a hugely talented author’ – Sarah Waters

The Gustav Sonata by Rose Tremain

---

The full Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist

Stay With Me, Ayobami Adebayo
The Power, Naomi Alderman
Hag-Seed, Margaret Atwood
Little Deaths, Emma Flint
The Mare, Mary Gaitskill
The Dark Circle, Linda Grant
The Lesser Bohemians, Eimear McBride
Midwinter, Fiona Melrose
The Sport of Kings, C.E. Morgan
The Woman Next Door, Yewande Omotoso
The Lonely Hearts Hotel, Heather O’Neill
The Essex Serpent, Sarah Perry
Barkskins, Annie Proulx
First Love, Gwendoline Riley
Do Not Say We Have Nothing, Madeleine Thien
The Gustav Sonata, Rose Tremain

The Baileys shortlist will be announced on 3 April 2017, followed by the overall winner announcement at an awards ceremony hosted in the Clore Ballroom at the Royal Festival Hall on 7 June 2017.

Website