The most influential prize for young writers in the UK and Ireland, The Sunday Times Charlotte Aitken Young Writer of the Year Award, today announced its shortlist of four authors, described by chief literary critic of The Times and Sunday Times and chair of the jury, Johanna Thomas Corr, as ‘unforgettable new voices’ that promise ‘new angles on the world’. The 2024 judges have chosen:
- Harriet Baker, for her eloquent and absorbing first book, Rural Hours (Allen Lane), which tells the story of three visionary writers – Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Townsend Warner and Rosamund Lehmann – each of whom are invigorated and forever transformed by moving to the country
- Moses McKenzie whose sophomore novel Fast by the Horns (Wildfire) is a sharp and lyrical exploration of Black immigrant life and Rastafari community in 1980s England
- Debut author Scott Preston for his bold, cinematic novel The Borrowed Hills (John Murray), a thrilling adventure steeped in folklore that reimagines the American Western for the fells of northern England
- Poet and writer, Ralf Webb, for Strange Relations (Sceptre), his incisive investigation into the crisis of mid-century masculinity through the prism of four bisexual writers – James Baldwin, John Cheever, Tennessee Williams and Carson McCullers
Johanna was joined in the decision by fellow judges Desmond Elliot Prize alumna Claire Adam, Booker Prize shortlisted author Andrew Miller, celebrated poet Victoria Adukwei Bulley as well as journalist and author Tomiwa Owolade, and seasoned BBC broadcaster Justin Webb.
Johanna Thomas-Corr said: ‘Here are four unforgettable new voices in fiction and non-fiction who possess thrilling potential. They are all offering us new angles on the world and doing it with such intelligence and conviction.
As part of a new partnership, the Barbican Centre will host the annual shortlisted event chaired by former winner Zadie Smith on Monday 17th March. Home to a dynamic and provocative artistic programme and a dedicated champion of young artists, the Barbican partnership aims to bring the shortlisted books to a wider audience, and will focus on reaching younger readers with the Young Barbican programme. Tickets are available here.
Sponsored by the Charlotte Aitken Trust since 2021, the award is given annually to the best work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry by a British or Irish author of 35 or under. The winner will receive a prize sum of £10,000 with each shortlisted writer receiving £1,000.
Administered by the Society of Authors, the award works with a growing network of partners each year, including Waterstones, Granta Magazine, The London Library and the British Council, who provide a critical support system to the very best talent at work right now.
Retail partners Waterstones came on board for the 30th anniversary year in 2022, and will continue their support for the shortlisted authors this year with bespoke social media content, an exclusive competition, specially commissioned content for their blog, a range of in-store POS and sales at the shortlist event and winner ceremony.
A longstanding partner for the award, the London Library will continue to provide free memberships for the winner and shortlisted authors, while the British Council will support the writers in their events around the world.
Over the coming weeks, Granta Magazine will publish extracts from all four titles on granta.com.
The award has built an unparalleled reputation for seeking and supporting the defining voices of a generation over the past 30 years, with a list of alumni representing the best of British and Irish writing, including Zadie Smith, Robert Macfarlane, Sarah Waters Simon Armitage, Naomi Alderman and Caryl Phillips and many others. Recent winners include Tom Crewe, Jay Bernard, Raymond Antrobus, Adam Weymouth, Sally Rooney, Max Porter and Sarah Howe.
The winner of the £10,000 sum will be announced on Tuesday 18th March 2025 in east London.