Mick Hartley

Exciting news about the Women’s Prize for Fiction:

One of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, the Women’s Prize for Fiction was known as the Orange Prize for Fiction between 1996 and 2012 and the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction between 2014 and 2017. It celebrates excellence, originality and accessibility in women’s writing from throughout the world.

The winner receives a cheque for £30,000, anonymously endowed, and a limited edition bronze statuette known as the ‘Bessie’, created and donated by the artist Grizel Niven.

FAQs:

Why is the Women’s Prize for Fiction only open to women?

The inspiration was the Booker Prize of 1991 when none of the six shortlisted books was by a woman, despite some 60% of novels published that year being by female authors. A group of women and men working in the industry – authors, publishers, agents, booksellers, librarians, journalists – therefore met to discuss the issue.

Research showed that women’s literary achievements were often not acknowledged by the major literary prizes. The idea for the Women’s Prize for Fiction…was born.

Now well into its second decade, the Women’s Prize for Fiction is firmly established, is respected throughout the world and has made a major impact on the literary landscape in the UK and beyond. It also makes a significant difference to the profile and sales of authors shortlisted.

Excellent. And now, just released, a statement regarding eligibility:

As a prize which celebrates the voices of women and the experience of being a woman in all its varied forms, we are proud to include as eligible for submission full-length novels written in English by all women. In our words and conditions, the word 'woman' equates to a cis woman, a transgender woman, or anyone who is legally defined as a woman or of the female sex.

The trustees of the Woman's Prize Trust would like to reassert that we are firmly opposed to any form of discrimination or prejudice on the basis of race, sexuality or gender identity.

So not quite the Women's Prize any more. 

Not everyone is pleased.