Congratulations to the six talented shortlisted authors selected by our judging panel.
The prestigious Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, renowned for discovering and championing talented unpublished women authors, today unveils its eagerly awaited 2024 shortlist. After careful consideration, the judging panel has narrowed down the field to an exceptional six novels, from a longlist of 16.
The shortlisted works span a variety of genres and showcase the remarkable literary talent of women writers across the UK and Ireland. These novels have been selected for their originality, compelling narratives, and undeniable "unputdownability" – the hallmark of a Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize winner.
The full shortlist is as follows:
- Matilda Battersby - Forced Perspective
- Rosa Chalfen - Bellyache
- Amy de la Force - Illusions of Grandeur
- Jenny Epstein - This I Have Done For You
- Sarah Glover - Missouri
- Laura Ward-Smith - The Happiness Principle
Read more about the shortlisted authors here
Tim Bates, Head of the Books Department and literary agent at Peters Fraser Dunlop, says, “Every year we celebrate the quality and breadth of the novels on our shortlist, but this year’s group feels stronger and more diverse than ever . We have gender-flipped historical and speculative fiction, a high-concept thriller and a gripping detective story, and two contemporary novels driven by sparkling and original narrative voices. It’s going to be an incredibly hard task to pick a winner ”
Read more about the 2024 judging panel here.
The winner of the 2024 Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize will be announced at a special ceremony on the 23rd of May at the College. The winner will receive a £1,500 cash prize and invaluable support and guidance from the prestigious literary agency, Peters Fraser + Dunlop.
About the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize
The Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, established in 2010, is a distinguished literary award dedicated to discovering fresh women's voices in fiction. The prize recognizes unpublished and unrepresented women writers over the age of 18 residing in the UK or Ireland. It is renowned for propelling the careers of many talented writers.