Goldsmiths Prize expands eligibility criteria

In the UK, the Goldsmiths Prize has expanded its eligibility criteria, allowing authors of any nationality to enter, as long as they have resided in the UK or the Republic of Ireland for three years or more, reports the Bookseller.

‘While we have no desire to internationalise the Prize, we do not subscribe to narrow ideas of what constitutes a nation’s literature, and we feel it is important to signal this (more than ever in this Brexit year) by opening up our eligibility criteria,’ said Goldsmiths Prize literary director Tim Parnell. ‘Submissions can now more fully reflect the diverse voices which contribute to the vibrant form of the novel in the British Isles today.’

Since the prize’s conception in 2013, only authors who were born in the UK or Ireland were allowed to submit their work. Under the rule change, books must still be published by a publisher based in the UK or the Republic of Ireland during the prize year.

Robin Robertson is the most recent winner of the £10,000 (A$17,970) prize, awarded for his verse novel The Long Take in 2018. This year’s winner will be announced on 13 November.

Tags: Goldsmiths Prize

Category: International news