Derek Owusu and Seán Hewitt Among Finalists for Prestigious Dylan Thomas Prize
Six talented writers have been named as finalists for this year's Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize, with Derek Owusu and Seán Hewitt leading the distinguished shortlist. The prestigious annual award, which grants £20,000 to a writer aged 39 or under, honours the legacy of the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, who passed away at that very age. The prize celebrates fiction in all its forms, including novels, short stories, poetry, and drama, recognising outstanding literary talent across the globe.
A Galvanising and Profound Shortlist
The shortlist, described as "galvanising" by the judging panel, comprises four novels and two poetry collections that collectively offer deep insights into the human condition. Author and judging panel chair Irenosen Okojie remarked that these works "have profound things to say about the ways we live and what it means to be human." This diverse selection underscores the prize's commitment to showcasing innovative and thought-provoking literature from emerging voices.
Notable Contenders and Their Works
Two of the six shortlisted authors have previously been nominated for this esteemed award. British-Irish poet and memoirist Seán Hewitt, who was nominated in 2025 for his poetry collection Rapture's Road, returns to the shortlist with his debut novel Open, Heaven. This tender portrayal of gay first love has been praised by Sarah Perry in the Guardian as a "skilled and epiphanic work," highlighting Hewitt's lyrical prowess and emotional depth.
Derek Owusu, a 2023 prize nominee, is shortlisted for his third novel, Borderline Fiction. The book follows a young black man as he navigates complex relationships and confronts mental health challenges. Described in the Guardian as "disarmingly poignant," Owusu's narrative resonates with authenticity and vulnerability, offering a powerful exploration of identity and resilience.
Debut Authors and Diverse Voices
The shortlist also features promising debut authors, including Harriet Armstrong, the youngest nominee at just 25 years old. Her darkly comic campus novel, To Rest Our Minds and Bodies, delves into gen Z gender relations and mental health, with Guardian reviewer Jude Cook noting that Armstrong "expertly adumbrates the emotional intensity and vulnerability of first love."
Colwill Brown is recognised for her debut novel, We Pretty Pieces of Flesh, which chronicles the lives of three working-class girls growing up in Doncaster from the late 1990s to 2015. Catherine Taylor of the Guardian called the novel "essential" and predicted that readers "will probably read nothing else like it this year," applauding its raw and compelling storytelling.
Both poetry collections on the shortlist come from debut authors: American poet Sasha Debevec-McKenney, whose work Joy is My Middle Name engages with themes of sex, race, addiction, and pop culture; and Bristol-based Suzannah V Evans, whose Under the Blue offers a meditative reflection on the lived realities of care. These collections add a rich, poetic dimension to the shortlist, showcasing the versatility of contemporary fiction.
Judging Panel and Previous Winners
The six-strong shortlist was selected from a longlist of 12, which included works such as Chaotic Good by Isabelle Baafi and What Remains After a Fire by Kanza Javed. Joining Irenosen Okojie on the judging panel are writers Joe Dunthorne, Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, Prajwal Parajuly, and Eley Williams, who bring a wealth of literary expertise to the selection process.
Last year's prize was awarded to Palestinian writer Yasmin Zaher for her novel The Coin, continuing a tradition of honouring groundbreaking authors. Previous winners include Caleb Azumah Nelson, Arinze Ifeakandu, Patricia Lockwood, Max Porter, Raven Leilani, Bryan Washington, Fiona McFarlane, and Kayo Chingonyi, highlighting the prize's role in launching and celebrating literary careers.
Anticipation Builds for the Winner Announcement
The winner of the Dylan Thomas Prize will be announced on 14 May at a ceremony in Swansea, the birthplace of Dylan Thomas. This event promises to be a celebration of literary excellence, bringing together authors, judges, and literature enthusiasts to honour the best in contemporary fiction. As the literary world awaits the outcome, the shortlist serves as a testament to the vibrant and diverse voices shaping today's literary landscape, offering readers a wealth of compelling stories to explore and cherish.
