The longlists for the Diverse Book Awards, whittled down from 110 submissions across three categories, have been revealed.
Created by author Abiola Bello and publicist Helen Lewis, the annual prize recognises diverse and inclusive books by authors based in the UK and Ireland across children’s, YA and adult books.
The shortlists will be revealed on 20th September and the winners in each category announced on 20th October.
Bello said: "I was overwhelmed by the entries for this year’s awards. We had entries from the Big Five, indies and self-published authors and the standard was so high. I love learning about new books from authors I haven’t heard about but I also like seeing the new books from authors who have been listed before because it shows that these authors are continuously bringing the diverse content that I crave. The Diverse Book Awards continues to bring to light the best diverse books. I know the judges had a very hard time judging and I am very proud of the longlist. I hope everyone champions these amazing authors."
The winner from each category will receive a bundle of prizes including a glass trophy, VIP admission to 12 months of author marketing and branding online workshops hosted by Literally PR, editorial content in Pen&Inc and the opportunity to be part of the winners panel hosted by the Author School. That Playlist Book Box will also create a limited-edition winners’ book box.
Lewis said there had been a 40% increase in the number of books submitted this year. “This is wonderful news, not just for the prize itself, as it is gaining further recognition and acceptance within the publishing industry, but it also demonstrates that more and more books are being released by publishers. The Diverse Book Awards was one of the first prizes to be open to self-published as well as traditionally published authors. For readers, it is about the story itself, not the route to publication, that matters.”
The longlists in full:
Adult
Black Water Sister by Zen Cho
His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie
Next of Kin by Kia Abdullah
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Ten Days by Austin Duffy
The Bread The Devil Knead by Lisa Allen-Agostini
The Day I Fell Off My Island by Yvonne Bailey-Smith
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson
The Khan by Saima Mir
This One Sky Day by Leone Ross
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
Young Adult
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Being Amani by Annabelle Steele
Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
I am Winter by Denise Brown
Skin of The Sea by Natasha Bowen
Splinters of Sunshine by Patrice Lawrence
Stay Another Day by Juno Dawson
The Crossing by Manjeet Mann
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar
This Is My Truth by Yasmin Rahman
What We’re Scared Of by Keren David
You’re The One That I Want by Simon James Green
Children’s
Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths, by Maisie Chan, illustrated by Anh Cao
Hey You! by Dapo Adeola, Diane Ewan, Onyinye Iwu, Jade Orlando, Bec Glendining, Derick Brooks, Joelle Avelino, Dunni Mustapha, Kingsley Nebechi, Chanté Timothy, Nicole Miles, Camilla Sucre, Jobe Anderson, Alyissa Johnson, Chatlot Kristensen, Sharee Miller, Reggie Brown, Selom Sunu, Gladys Jose
How I Saved the World In A Week by Polly Ho-Yen, illustrated by George Ermos
Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom by Sangu Mandanna
Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow by Benjamin Dean, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat
Rumaysa: A Fairytale by Radiya Hafiza, illustrated by Rhaida El Touny
The Best Diwali Ever by Sonali Shah, illustrator Chaaya Prabhat
The Lightning Catcher by Claire Weze
The Rapping Princess by Hannah Lee, illustrated by Allen Fatimaharan
The Shark Caller by Zillah Bethell
The Very Merry Murder Club by Abiola Bello, Annabelle Sami, Benjamin Dean, Dominique Valente, Elle McNicoll, E L Norry, Maisie Chan, Roopa Farooki, Nizrana Farook, Patrice Lawrence, Joanna Williams, Serena Patel, Sharna Jackson, illustrated by Harry Woodgate. Edited by Robin Stevens and Serena Patel
Vi Spy: Licence to Chill by Maz Evans
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