The longlist for the Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize 2026 was announced in Swansea, Wales, on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
The International Dylan Thomas Prize was established by Swansea University in 2006 to celebrate raw creative talent worldwide was set up in honour of the Welsh poet and writer who became widely popular in his lifetime and remained so after his premature death at 39. Worth £20,000, it recognises exceptional literary talent aged 39 or under, celebrating the international world of fiction in all its forms, including poetry, novels, short stories and drama. Some of the previous winners include Fiona McFarlane, Patricia Lockwood, Kayo Chingonyi (2018), Raven Leilani (2021), Arinze Ifeakandu (2023), and Caleb Azumah Nelson (2024). Palestinian writer Yasmin Zaher won it last year.
The 2026 jury is chaired by award-winning Nigerian British author Irenosen Okojie alongside poet and novelist Joe Dunthorne, poet, pacifist and fabulist Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, novelist Prajwal Parajuly, and writer Eley Williams. The last three of these have been nominated for the Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize. They unveiled the longlist of twelve, which included the following writers of African descent are;
- Chaotic Good, Isabelle Baafi (Faber) – poetry
- Joy Is My Middle Name, Sasha Debevec-McKenney (Fitzcarraldo Editions) – poetry
- The Tiny Things Are Heavier, Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo (Manilla Press, Bonnier Books) – novel
- Absence, Issa Quincy (Granta) – novel
- Borderline Fiction, Derek Owusu (Canongate) – novel
Several longlisted authors shared their reactions on social media:
Sasha Debevec-McKenney posted on Instagram: “honored and shocked.”
Isabelle Baafi said: “How lovely to be longlisted for this year’s @swanseauni’s @dylanthomasprize! Thank you to the judges! What a list ✨”
Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo stated: “The Tiny Things are Heavier is in stellar company on the amazing @dylanthomasprize longlist. So thrilled. Thanks to the prize judges. And to the wonderful people @manilla_press for the unwavering support. 💥”
The shortlist will be announced on Thursday, March 19. A shortlist celebration event will follow in London on May 13, with the winner revealed on International Dylan Thomas Day, May 14, at a ceremony in Swansea.
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