It's almost here, the winner of the Women's Prize for Fiction 2022 will be announced tomorrow, 15th June. In the meantime, this evening will see the shortlisted titles celebrated in style at a very special edition of the awards' annual live shortlist readings.
Taking place tonight, the 14th June, this event is hosted by Founder Director of the Women's Prize and bestselling author Kate Mosse and this year's Chair of Judges Mary Ann Sieghart. Taking place in the beautiful Bedford Square Gardens, the evening will include readings and interviews with all six of this year's shortlisted authors as well as an opportunity for the audience to put their questions to the speakers live.
This years Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist consists of:
The Bread the Devil Knead by Lisa Allen-Agostini
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki
This year, the bookies odds are on New Zealander Meg Mason to win with Sorrow and Bliss, her second novel. At 6/5 the bookmakers Fitzdares' odds are supported by the readers, with Sorrow and Bliss the sales leader among the six shortlisted titles, as reported by Nielesen BookScan/BookData. Next in line, Elif Shafak has odds of 11/8 by Fitzdares for The Island of Missing Trees, a magical love story of belonging and identity.
Here are the full prize odds from Fitzdares:
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason: 6/5
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak: 11/8
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead: 6/1
The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki: 16/1
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich: 20/1
The Bread the Devil Knead by Lisa Allen-Agostini: 25/1
Regardless of the odds or indeed the outcome of the awards, since the shortlist has been announced there's been a surge of sales for all six books, showing the power of literary prizes. The Bread The Devil Knead and The Sentence saw sale surges of 278% and 338% respectively in the week following the shortlist announcement. The Book of Form and Emptiness saw a massive increase of 1,681% in the same period.
Tickets to tonight's annual live shortlist readings cost £20 and gates open from 6pm this evening, a great opportunity to make the most of the rare access to these private gardens and enjoy a drink in the evening sunshine. The event will get underway at 7pm and it will be followed by book signings. You will be able to buy copies of the books from a Waterstones pop-up on the site, and official Women's Prize Merchandise will also be available at their pop-up shop.
To find out more about the awards, the speakers and to book your ticket, click here.
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