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Five female authors have made the six-strong shortlist for the 2010 University of Wales Dylan Thomas Prize.
The “most diverse shortlist to date” was picked from a longlist of 16 and includes two poetry collections and four novels, from five continents.
In the running are 23-year-old British poet Caroline Bird who has previously been shortlisted; Somalian writer Nadifa Mohamed; The Rehearsal author Eleanor Catton, American poet Elyse Fenton; and Emily Mackie, from the Scottish highlands. Debut novelist Karan Mahajan completes the list.
Peter Florence, chair of the judging panel, said:"There's incredible diversity of culture, experience and geography here. I'm thrilled at the quality and range of the shortlisted books, but what's most exciting for the jury is that at this stage they're all equally favoured, and everyone's in with a shout."
The £30,000 prize, founded by professor Peter Stead [pictured], awards authors under 30. The winner will be awarded on 1st December.
The shortlist in full:
Caroline Bird Watering Can (Carcanet)
Elyse Fenton Clamor (Cleveland State University Poetry Center)
Emilie Mackie And This is True (Sceptre)
Karan Mahajan Family Planning (Vintage)
Nadifa Mohamed Black Mamba Boy (HarperCollins)
Eleanor Catton The Rehearsal (Granta)