Sunday Times Young Writer Shortlist
The shortlist for the 2026 Sunday Times Young Writer Award has been revealed with four emerging authors as final contenders. The prestigious prize is closely watched for identifying the next generation of literary talent. Separately, Chatto announced Margaret Atwood's forthcoming memoir, promising insights into her storied career.
- The winner of the 2026 award will be announced on Tuesday, March 24th at the Whitechapel Gallery. The top prize is £10,000, with the three other shortlisted authors each receiving £1,000. - The 2026 shortlist includes Ben Brooks for his comic novel *The Greatest Possible Good*, Gurnaik Johal for his debut novel *Saraswati*, Liadan Ní Chuinn for her debut short story collection *Every One Still Here*, and Harry Shukman for his non-fiction book *Year of the Rat*. - Johanna Thomas-Corr, chief literary critic for the *Times* and *Sunday Times*, is the chair of the judging panel, which also includes authors and personalities such as Caleb Femi, Esther Freud, Graham Norton, and Sathnam Sanghera. - The award, now known as The Sunday Times Charlotte Aitken Young Writer of the Year Award, has been running since 1991 and is open to British and Irish authors aged 18-35. - Since 2021, the award has been sponsored by the Charlotte Aitken Trust, a charity established by the late literary agent Gillon Aitken to encourage literary talent. - The prize has a track record of identifying major literary figures early in their careers, with past winners including Zadie Smith, Sally Rooney, and Robert Macfarlane. - The award considers a wide range of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. The 2026 shortlist reflects this diversity with two novels, a short story collection, and a non-fiction work.
