Nigerian Writer, Ironesen Okojie,  is among the judging panel for the soon-to-be released longlist of the Women’s Prize for Fiction this year. The panel is chaired by author and journalist Louise Minchin; joined alongside, including Ironesen, by award-winning novelist Rachel Joyce; bestselling author and journalist Bella Mackie and MP for Hampstead and Kilburn Tulip Siddiq.

 As chair of judges, Louise remarked: ‘The Women’s Prize for Fiction is a hugely exciting and important landmark in the annual cultural calendar. To be chairing the 2023 prize is therefore a great honour for me. I can’t wait to delve into the rich and varied novels that are on offer, and, alongside my fellow judges, help to celebrate women’s stories, sharing them with readers worldwide.’

The Women’s Prize for Fiction is one of the most celebrated literary prizes dedicated to awarding the best of contemporary fiction written by women. It has crowned 27 winners thus far–including 2022’s winner Ruth Ozeki’s The Book of Form and Emptiness.

Irenosen Okojie is a Nigerian-born short story writer, novelist and podcaster. Her first novel, Butterfly Fish won a Betty Trask Award in 2016, and her story ‘Grace Jones’ won the 2020 Caine Prize for African Writing.

Listen to the judges’ expectations and criteria for a winning book here. The longlist will be unveiled on 7th March, 2023.