Leila Aboulela reads from River Spirit (Saqi), longlisted for Jhalak Prize 2024

Описание: Leila Aboulela reads from her searing, epic historical novel River Spirit, longlisted for the Jhalak Prize. Our judges commended this powerful novel for its exquisite prose, unflinching ability to tackle the big moral, political and human questions, and its nuanced exploration of an often overlooked period - and place - of history.

First awarded in March 2017, the Jhalak Prize and its sister award Jhalak Children’s & YA Prize founded in 2020, seek to celebrate books by writers of colour in Britain and Ireland. The prizes are unique in that they accept entries published in the UK by writers of colour. These include (and not limited to) fiction, non-fiction, short stories, graphic novels, poetry and all other genres. The Jhalak Children’s and YA Prize accepts books for children, teens and young adults including picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, poetry, non-fiction, and all other genres by writers of colour and aimed at young readers. The prizes are also open to self-published writers.

The Jhalak Prize awards £1000 to each winner along with a unique work of art created by artists chosen for the annual Jhalak Art Residency. Shortlisted authors also receive a one-year complimentary membership to the London Library, U.K.'s largest independent library. Each winner receives a two-year complimentary membership.

The two awards exist to support and celebrate writers of colour in Britain and Ireland.