Ayanna Lloyd Banwo’s novel When We Were Birds is on the shortlist for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award 2023 announced on Thursday, July 27, 2023.
The Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award, founded in 2017, is for a novel written in English and published the previous year in the UK. It is awarded annually to a compelling novel, of any genre – from romance and thrillers to historical, speculative, and literary fiction – with brilliant characterisation and a distinct voice that is confidently written and assuredly realised. Goldsboro Books is a bookstore founded by David Headley and Daniel Gedeon in 1999; they have branches in London and Bristol, UK. Abi Daré was on the shortlist in 2021.
The 2023 award is judged by Goldsboro Books staff led by David Headley, Goldsboro Books co-founder and MD. They announced the shortlist for this year’s award which includes Ayanna Lloyd Banwo’s novel When We Were Birds.
Headley said: “The Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Awards’ ethos, from its inception in 2017, is that it is a compelling novel. The books must possess that innate ability to draw the reader in to its pages, so that time stands still and you’re likely to miss your stop on the train. These shortlisted books all achieve that in spades and my team and I are delighted with the results. I’m expecting a few lively discussions around the judging table and can’t wait to see who will be crowned the winner come autumn.”
Ayanna Lloyd Banwo tweeted, “Thank you, @GoldsboroBooks! Thrilled to be on this shortlist. So pleased that this book just keeps on finding readers and champions well into its second year. Congrats to all the shortlisted writers 💙”
The winner, who will receive £2,000 and a handmade glass bell, will be announced on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at an event in London, UK.
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