LONDON – The Goldsmiths Prize, an annual £10,000 award that recognizes innovative writing and pushes the boundaries of the novel form, has announced its judges for this year. Film-maker and author Xiaolu Guo and novelist Sara Baume will be part of the judging panel. The prize, which is organized in collaboration with the New Statesman, aims to celebrate works of literature that break conventions and embrace new possibilities.
Xiaolu Guo is an award-winning Chinese-born writer who currently resides in London. Notably, her novel “A Lover’s Discourse” was nominated for the Goldsmiths Prize in 2020. In addition to her work as a novelist, Guo is also an acclaimed film-maker and memoirist. Her latest book, “Radical,” was published in 2023 by Chatto & Windus.
Sara Baume, originally from Ireland, is the author of three novels, two of which have previously been shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize. She was also named one of Granta’s Best Young British Novelists in 2023. Baume’s most recent work, “Handiwork,” is a book of creative non-fiction published by Tramp Press in 2020.
The panel of judges will also include Lola Seaton, an associate editor at New Left Review, and Abigail Shinn, an author and lecturer in Early Modern Literature and Culture at Goldsmiths, University of London. Shinn will serve as the chair of the panel.
Last year’s Goldsmiths Prize was awarded to Benjamin Myers for his novel “Cuddy.” The judges praised the book for its range, virtuosity, and creative daring. Previous winners of the prize include Ali Smith, Isabel Waidner, Lucy Ellmann, and Kevin Barry.
Submissions for this year’s prize will open on January 19, 2024, with the winner set to be announced in November. The Goldsmiths Prize continues to promote and honor innovative works of literature that challenge traditional norms and inspire new directions in storytelling.