Awarded for the best published literary work in the English language, written by an author aged 39 or under, the prize is named after the Swansea-born writer, Dylan Thomas, and celebrates his 39 years of creativity and productivity. One of the most influential, internationally-renowned writers of the mid-twentieth century, the prize invokes his memory to support the writers of today and nurture the talents of tomorrow. 

Launched in 2006, The Swansea University International Dylan Thomas Prize is the largest literary prize in the world for young writers.

This year’s longlist of 12 books comprises: eight novels, two short story collections, and two volumes of poetry.

Zambian born author, Kayo Chingonyi, joins authors from the UK, Ireland, America, India, and Nigeria on the longlist as they contend for the £30,000 prize.

• Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, Stay With Me (Canongate Books)
• Kayo Chingonyi, Kumukanda (Vintage - Chatto & Windus)
• Meena Kandasamy, When I Hit You (Atlantic Books)
• Lisa McInerney, The Blood Miracles (John Murray)
• Carmen Maria Machado, Her Body and Other Parties (Serpent's Tail / Graywolf)
• Fiona Mozley, Elmet (JM Originals)
• Gwendoline Riley, First Love (Granta)
• Sally Rooney, Conversations With Friends (Faber & Faber)
• Emily Ruskovich, Idaho (Vintage - Chatto & Windus)
• Gabriel Tallent, My Absolute Darling (4th Estate / Riverhead Books)
• Eley Williams, Attrib. and Other Stories (Influx Press) 
• James Womack, On Trust: A Book of Lies (Carcanet Press)

Last year, Fiona McFarlane won The Swansea University International Dylan Thomas Prize for her highly-acclaimed book, The High Places – an unforgettable collection of stunning short stories. Most recently, McFarlane has been awarded a $20k Australia Council for the Arts international residency for 2018-19, which she will undertake for six-months at the BR Whiting Studio in Rome.

Chaired by Professor Dai Smith CBE, Emeritus Raymond Williams Research Chair in the Cultural History of Wales at Swansea University, and historian and writer on Welsh arts and culture, this year’s judging panel also features: poet, translator, and scholar, Professor Kurt Heinzelman; novelist and playwright, Rachel Trezise, playwright and author Paul McVeigh, and writer, publisher and festival director, Namita Gokhale.

Professor Dai Smith CBE, said: “This year’s longlist demonstrates the originality and literary excellence of work being produced by young writers from around the world. Featuring prose and poetry from new and established authors, this is an intriguing and scarily good longlist! The judges now have a very difficult job, but we can be certain that we will have an exceptionally strong shortlist of six stunningly gifted authors."

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The shortlist of six books will be revealed at the end of March.

The winner will be announced on Thursday 10^th May at Swansea University’s Great Hall, in the run up to International Dylan Thomas Day on 14 May.