Established in 1996, the £30,000 award honors outstanding English-language novels written by women, aiming to elevate their voices and ensure they receive equal recognition in the literary world. This year’s longlist marks the prize’s 30th anniversary, celebrating its enduring commitment to championing women’s storytelling.
Adichie, a literary icon, has been nominated for her novel Dream Count, which intricately explores the lives of four women in America and Nigeria, delving into their past decisions and the paths they’ve chosen. Adichie’s previous works include Purple Hibiscus, winner of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, Half of a Yellow Sun, which earned the Women’s Prize for Fiction, and Americanah, recipient of the National Book Critics Circle Award. She is also the author of Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions. A MacArthur Fellowship recipient, Adichie splits her time between Nigeria and the United States.
Miranda July, a versatile artist based in Los Angeles, has been longlisted for her novel All Fours. The book tells the story of a mid-40s artist navigating the end of her marriage and the physical and emotional changes of perimenopause. July is also known for her novel The First Bad Man and her short story collection No One Belongs Here More Than You, which won the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award.
The 2025 longlist features 16 exceptional novels that explore themes of family, identity, and the complexities of modern life. The selected books include:
- Good Girl by Aria Aber
- The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
- Somewhere Else by Jenni Daiches
- Amma by Saraid de Silva
- Crooked Seeds by Karen Jennings
- All Fours by Miranda July
- The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
- The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji
- Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Nesting by Roisín O’Donnell
- A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike
- Birding by Rose Ruane
- The Artist by Lucy Steeds
- Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
- The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
- Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis
Jury chair Kit de Waal praised the selection, calling the novels “powerful and far-reaching works that brilliantly capture the complexities of modern relationships and the resilience of their characters.” She added, “This list reflects the extraordinary talent of women writers today, offering stories that resonate deeply with readers and reflect the world we live in.”
The judging panel, which includes novelist Diana Evans, author Bryony Gordon, magazine editor Deborah Joseph, and musician Amelia Warner, will announce the shortlist of six novels on April 2. The winner will be revealed on June 12 and will receive the £30,000 prize along with “Bessie,” a bronze statue created by the late British sculptor Grizel Niven.
As the Women’s Prize for Fiction celebrates its 30th anniversary, the 2025 longlist underscores the prize’s mission to amplify diverse voices and celebrate the transformative power of women’s storytelling.