A new writer has been shortlisted for one of the world’s largest literary prizes celebrating young writers.
Saba Sams, from Brighton, has been shortlisted for the Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize.
The shortlist comprises three novels, two short story collections, and one poetry collection.
Saba Sams is shortlisted for her short story collection Send Nudes.
She won the BBC National Short Story Award 2022 and, at just 26 years old, is the youngest contender for this year’s prize.
Send Nudes has been described as “tender and witty” and aims to highlight the confusing double standards facing women today.
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Others shortlisted are:
- Limberlost by Robbie Arnott (Atlantic Books) – novel (Australia)
- Seven Steeples by Sara Baume (Tramp Press) – novel (Ireland)
- God's Children Are Little Broken Things by Arinze Ifeakandu (Orion, Weidenfeld & Nicolson) – short story collection (Nigeria)
- I'm a Fan by Sheena Patel (Rough Trade Books/Granta) – novel (UK)
- Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in Her Head by Warsan Shire (Chatto & Windus, Vintage) – poetry collection (Somalia-UK)
Di Speirs, chairwoman of the judges, and Books Editor at BBC Audio, said: “There’s brilliance and beauty in the six books shortlisted for this year’s Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize. All six exemplify not only the talent and excitingly fresh, often startling, writing we were seeking, but draw the reader in and on.”
Worth £20,000, the Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize is one of the UK’s most prestigious literary prizes as well as the world’s largest literary prize for young writers.
The Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize winner will be announced at a Winner’s Ceremony held in Swansea on Thursday 11 May, prior to International Dylan Thomas Day on Sunday 14 May.
Judge Rachel Long said Send Nudes “exciting and empowering”.
Ms Long added: “The short story collection is full of knowing, daring, wit and range. I could not put this book down. Each story its own unique universe of what it is/can be to navigate and experience girl/womanhood. My only gripe is that I wish this book existed when I was in my teens or in my twenties.”
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