The shortlist has been selected for the £20,000 (about $25,930) Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize, which "recognizes exceptional literary talent aged 39 or under, celebrating the international world of fiction in all its forms including poetry, novels, short stories and drama." The British Library will host a shortlist celebratory event on May 14 (International Dylan Thomas Day), with the winner named during a ceremony in Swansea on May 15. The shortlisted titles are:
Rapture's Road by Seán Hewitt (U.K./Ireland)
Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon (Ireland)
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden (The Netherlands)
I Will Crash by Rebecca Watson (U.K.)
Moderate to Poor, Occasionally Good by Eley Williams (U.K.)
The Coin by Yasmin Zaher (Palestine)
Chair of judges Namita Gokhale said: "The range and depth of this year's vibrant longlist made for compelling reading. It was truly a challenge for the jury to hone in on the final shortlist.... The 2025 shortlist is varied and diverse: from ancient Sicily to tremulous nightwoods, it encompasses the historical, the contemporary, and the timeless through novels, short stories and poetry, showcasing startlingly fresh writing, style and energy."