The Longlist Announced for Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize 2026

It’s that time of year again when the book world gets a serious buzz. The longlist for the Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize 2026 has just been announced, and it’s a big deal. Think of it like the early rounds of The X Factor, but for incredibly talented young writers from all over the globe. And this year, there's a local hero from Yorkshire in the mix, giving everyone a reason to be properly chuffed.

The prize celebrates the best new work from authors aged 39 or under, and getting on this list can change a writer's life. With so many fantastic authors on the 2026 longlist, the judges will have a tough job ahead, and there is already talk about who might be available for an interview.

What is the Dylan Thomas Prize?

Okay, so imagine being a young writer, pouring your heart out into a novel, a collection of poems, or some brilliant short stories. The Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize is basically the ultimate thumbs-up. It’s named after the famous Swansea-born writer, Dylan Thomas, who was a bit of a creative genius himself and did all his amazing work before he was 39. So, the prize keeps his memory alive by supporting a new generation of talent.

It’s not just a fancy title, either. The winner gets a massive £20,000 cheque, which is enough to let them focus on writing without having to worry about stacking shelves at the local supermarket. It’s a huge international award, recognising amazing books written in English, no matter where the authors are from. This year’s list has writers from the UK, US, Ireland, Pakistan, and Nigeria, making it a proper global celebration of storytelling.

A proper Donny lass is in the running

The really exciting news for Yorkshire is that Doncaster-born-and-raised writer Colwill Brown is on the longlist. How brilliant is that? Her debut novel, We Pretty Pieces of Flesh, has clearly made a big impression on the judges. The book is set right in Doncaster, taking readers through its schoolyards, back alleys, and nightclubs, telling a story about the tricky and sometimes treacherous world of being a teenager. As a proud Donny lass herself, Colwill Brown brings a real authenticity to her writing. There’s even a brilliant rumour that she’s played bass guitar in nearly every rock venue on South Yorkshire's 'toilet circuit'. That’s the kind of backstory that makes for a fantastic author and a great potential interview!

The 2026 longlist: who's on the list?

This year’s longlist is a fantastic mix of styles and stories, with seven novels, three poetry collections, and two sets of short stories. With an average age of 32, it’s packed with fresh, exciting voices. It’s always exciting to see which authors make the cut. Here’s the full line-up for the 2026 Dylan Thomas Prize:

• Harriet Armstrong, To Rest Our Minds and Bodies (novel)

• Isabelle Baafi, Chaotic Good (poetry)

• Colwill Brown, We Pretty Pieces of Flesh (novel)

• Sasha Debevec-McKenney, Joy Is My Middle Name (poetry)

• Suzannah V. Evans, Under the Blue (poetry)

• Seán Hewitt, Open, Heaven (novel)

• Kanza Javed, What Remains After a Fire (short stories)

• Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo, The Tiny Things Are Heavier (novel)

• Derek Owusu, Borderline Fiction (novel)

• Issa Quincy, Absence (novel)

• Saba Sams, Gunk (novel)

• Vanessa Santos, Make a Home of Me (short stories)

A mix of new talent and familiar faces

What makes this longlist so interesting is the blend of brand-new talent and authors who are already making waves. An incredible seven out of the twelve books are debuts. This means it’s one of the freshest lists in years, shining a light on new storytellers who are just getting started.

But there are also a few familiar names who have been here before. It shows they’re consistently at the top of their game. Seán Hewitt, who was nominated last year for his poetry, is back with his first novel, Open, Heaven, a story about two teenage boys in a remote English village. Then there's Saba Sams, whose short story collection Send Nudes was on the shortlist in 2023. This year, she’s in the running with her debut novel, Gunk. And finally, Derek Owusu is back for a second time with his book Borderline Fiction, after being nominated in 2023 for Losing the Plot.

A world of amazing stories

The variety on the 2026 longlist is just fantastic. If you like stories about real-life struggles, The Tiny Things Are Heavier by Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo looks at what it’s like for a Nigerian immigrant in the US. If poetry is more your thing, Chaotic Good by Isabelle Baafi explores power and toxic relationships. And for those who love a bit of a scare, Make a Home of Me by Vanessa Santos is a collection of horror stories about houses that turn against the people living in them. It's a list that truly has something for everyone, showcasing some of the most exciting young authors writing today.

What happens next for the Dylan Thomas Prize?

This is just the first step. The judges, chaired by the award-winning author Irenosen Okojie MBE, now have the tough task of cutting this list of twelve down to a final six. The shortlist will be announced on Thursday 19 March 2026. After that, everyone will have to wait until International Dylan Thomas Day on Thursday 14 May 2026, when the winner will be revealed at a big ceremony in Swansea. It’s going to be a nail-biting few months for these incredible authors, and especially for Yorkshire's own Colwill Brown.