Talented trio will vie for city’s top book prize

All-woman shortlist for prestigious literary award

An all-woman shortlist has been announced for this year’s Dundee International Book Prize.

In contention are The Margins by Jessica Thummel, Shadow Jumping by Margaret Ries and London Clay by Amy Spencer.

Their novels will now go before a judging panel consisting of broadcaster Shereen Nanjiani, poet Ian McMillan, critic Hannah McGill and publisher Adrian Searle.

The winner will be announced at this year’s Dundee Literary Festival, which takes place from October 19 to 23.

The book prize is now in its 12th year and has long been a springboard for some of the world’s most talented debut writers.

Previous winners include Amy Mason whose The Other Ida won in 2014, while Martin Cathcart Froden’s Devil Take the Hindmost took the prize in 2015.

For those on the shortlist, it offers an attractive combination of a £5,000 cash prize and publishing deal along with protected writing time in Dundee.

Peggy Hughes of Literary Dundee said: “We’ve got three really brilliant novels on our hands in what’s been a particularly strong year for the Dundee International Book Prize.

“The prize is a vital part of our work and a key way in which we celebrate and champion new voices.

“This year’s shortlist is a stellar mix of international talent and genres and we’re deeply excited to see which one will win.”

The Dundee International Book Prize is a collaboration between Dundee University, Freight Books and Dundee City Council’s “One City, Many Discoveries” campaign.

City development convener councillor Will Dawson said the quality of books on the initial 10-strong list and three-strong shortlist reflected interest in the prize and the city’s “growing reputation as a cultural hotspot”.

He said: “Each year the quantity and quality of entrants goes from strength to strength.

“I never envy the judges the difficult task they have of choosing just one winner from such a strong field but every time they manage to select a deserving book to take the title.”

Adrian Searle from Freight Books, which will publish the winner’s debut work, is confident that each of the three finalists is destined for success.

He said: “Each of the three writers here have shown real craft and all have exciting futures ahead of them, regardless of who comes out on top.”