The longlist for The Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize 2023 was announced on 26th January 2023. The prize celebrates the international world of fiction in all its forms including poetry, novels, short stories and drama. It is one of the most important awards for young writers, aimed at encouraging raw creative talent worldwide. The prize is named after the Swansea-born writer, Dylan Thomas, one of the most influential, internationally renowned writers of the mid-twentieth century, and invokes his memory to support the writers of today and nurture the talents of tomorrow.
The full longlist for 2023 is:
Limberlost by Robbie Arnott (Atlantic Books) Review by Karen at Books and Me
Seven Steeples by Sara Baume (Tramp Press) Review by Jackie at neverimitate
God’s Children Are Little Broken Things by Arinze Ifeakandu (Orion, Weidenfeld & Nicolson)
Maps Of Our Spectacular Bodies by Maddie Mortimer (Picador, Pan Macmillan)
Phantom Gang by Ciarán O’Rourke (The Irish Pages Press)
Things They Lost by Okwiri Oduor (Oneworld) Review by Jo at Over the Rainbow
Losing the Plot by Derek Owusu (Canongate Books) Review by David at David’s Book World
I’m a Fan by Sheena Patel (Rough Trade Books)
Send Nudes by Saba Sams (Bloomsbury Publishing) Review by Emma at Bobs and Books
Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in Her Head by Warsan Shire (Chatto & Windus)
Briefly, A Delicious Life by Nell Stevens (Picador, Pan Macmillan)
No Land to Light On by Yara Zgheib (Atlantic Books, Allen & Unwin)
I’m grateful to Emily at Midas PR for giving me the opportunity to read one of the longlisted books – God’s Children Are Little Broken Things by Arinze Ifeakandu.
The author’s debut collection, it’s described as ‘nine exhilarating stories of queer love in contemporary Nigeria’ and has been praised by Sarah Waters as ‘A hugely impressive collection, full of subtlety, wisdom and heart’. Look out for my review which will be coming soon.
The shortlist will be announced on 23rd March 2023.
What Cathy Read Next... 
Of these, Limberlost is the only one I have so far read. But if they’re all as good as this, it’ll be a strong field.
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Delighted to see Limberlost and Seven Steeples on the list. I’m keen to read Send Nudes, too.
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OMG… I’m thrilled that “No Land to Light On” is up for this award. It was my #1 favorite book of 2022, and Zgheib is an incredible writer. This book and Yara deserve FAR more attention.
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