The shortlist has been selected for the 2026 Women's Prize for Fiction, whose goals are "championing and amplifying women's voices and nurturing a global community of readers." Sponsored by Baileys and Audible, the prize has an award of £30,000 (about $40,500). The winner will be announced June 11.
The shortlist:
Flashlight by Susan Choi
Dominion by Addie E. Citchens
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
The Mercy Step by Marcia Hutchinson
Kingfisher by Rozie Kelly
Heart the Lover by Lily King
Chair of judges and former Australian prime minister Julia Gillard said: "We are delighted to present a shortlist that doesn't shy away from examining life's challenges, but also brings many moments of joy. As judges, we are first and foremost readers, and these novels intrigued and profoundly moved us. The plot lines kept us turning pages to find out what happens next, the characters found a place in our hearts and the stories stayed with us long after the last sentence. The incredible strength of the longlist challenged and delighted us, as we whittled down 16 books to this exceptional shortlist.
"We are proud to support the Women's Prize Trust's mission of championing women's creativity, established and new. With over half of the shortlist represented by debut novelists and independent publishers, we are spotlighting talented emerging writers as well as showcasing the best of known and much loved authors."
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Finalists have been selected for the 2026 Hugo Awards, recognizing "excellence in science fiction and fantasy" in many categories. Winners of the Hugo Awards, the Lodestar Award, and the Astounding Award will be announced at the World Science Fiction Convention, LAcon V, on August 30. All members of the World Science Fiction Convention are able to vote on the Hugo Awards, including those who have memberships in the virtual portion of the convention. Voting on the final ballot will begin in early May. In addition to the traditional categories, the 2026 awards will again include a Best Poem category, following a trial run in 2025. To see all the finalists, click here.
"The 2026 Hugo Award ballot reflects the wide spectrum of contemporary science fiction and fantasy," said convention chair Joyce Lloyd. "This shortlist highlights established voices and emerging creators. These are works that comfort us in hard times and challenge us to not only envision, but to work towards, better tomorrows and more inclusive worlds."