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Young writers on Dylan Thomas Prize shortlist

Rowenna Hoskin
BBC News
BBC Dylan Thomas sits at a table, the photograph is black and white. In front of him is a big microphone which has BBC on a sign. He appears to be reading something. BBC
The literary award celebrates Swansea's Dylan Thomas, pictured here in 1948

Six young writers from across the world have been shortlisted for the 2025 Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize.

The award of £20,000 is given to writers aged 39 or younger for "exceptional" literary talent.

This year's list includes writers from Palestine, the Netherlands, Ireland and the UK.

Organisers said the prize, in memory of the Swansea-born writer who died in 1953 at the age of 39, was the world's largest for young writers in the English language.

The award celebrates the international world of fiction including poetry, novels, short stories and drama.

This year's chairwoman of judges, Namita Gokhale, said: "The 2025 shortlist is varied and diverse: from ancient Sicily to tremulous nightwoods, it encompasses the historical, the contemporary, and the timeless through novels, short stories and poetry, showcasing startlingly fresh writing, style and energy."

The winner will be announced during a ceremony in Swansea on 15 May.

Previous winners include Caleb Azumah Nelson, Arinze Ifeakandu, Patricia Lockwood, Max Porter, Raven Leilani, Bryan Washington, Guy Gunaratne, and Kayo Chingonyi.

The full shortlist is:

  •  Rapture's Road by Seán Hewitt - poetry collection (UK/Ireland)
  •  Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon - novel (Ireland)
  • The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden - novel (The Netherlands)
  •  I Will Crash by Rebecca Watson - novel (UK)
  • Moderate to Poor, Occasionally Good by Eley Williams - short story collection (UK)
  • The Coin by Yasmin Zaher – novel (Palestine)