The Booker Prize
Britain's most prestigious literary award for the best novel written in English and published in the UK or Ireland.
About The Booker Prize
The Booker Prize (formerly the Man Booker Prize) is the UK's leading literary award for fiction. Established in 1969, it recognizes the best novel written in English and published in the UK or Ireland during the year.
The prize carries a £50,000 award for the winner, with each shortlisted author receiving £2,500. The announcement of the longlist (13 books), shortlist (6 books), and winner generates enormous media attention and significantly boosts sales.
Since 2014, the prize has been open to any novel written in English, regardless of the author's nationality, as long as it's published in the UK. Previously, it was restricted to Commonwealth, Irish, and Zimbabwean citizens.
Eligibility Requirements
- Novel must be written in English
- Published in the UK or Ireland between October 1 and September 30
- Must be the author's original work (not a translation)
- Publisher-submitted only
- Self-published novels are not eligible
The Selection Process
Publishers submit eligible titles to the Booker Prize Foundation. A panel of five judges (authors, critics, academics, and cultural figures) reads all submissions over several months. In September, they announce a "longlist" of 13 titles. In October, this is narrowed to a shortlist of 6 books. The winner is announced at a ceremony in November.
Recent Booker Prize Winners
| Year | Title | Author |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Orbital | Samantha Harvey |
| 2023 | Prophet Song | Paul Lynch |
| 2022 | The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida | Shehan Karunatilaka |
| 2021 | The Promise | Damon Galgut |
| 2020 | Shuggie Bain | Douglas Stuart |
| 2019 | The Testaments / Girl, Woman, Other | Margaret Atwood / Bernardine Evaristo |
| 2018 | Milkman | Anna Burns |
| 2017 | Lincoln in the Bardo | George Saunders |
| 2016 | The Sellout | Paul Beatty |
| 2015 | A Brief History of Seven Killings | Marlon James |
Booker Prize FAQ
What's the difference between Booker Prize and International Booker Prize?
The Booker Prize is for novels written in English and published in the UK. The International Booker Prize is for translated fiction, honoring both the author and translator of the best translated novel.
Can American authors win the Booker Prize?
Yes, since 2014. The prize was expanded to include any novel written in English and published in the UK, regardless of the author's nationality. Paul Beatty (2016) and George Saunders (2017) were American winners.
What is the "Booker effect" on sales?
Being longlisted, shortlisted, or winning the Booker dramatically increases book sales. Winners typically see sales increases of 500% or more. Even longlisted titles see significant sales bumps.