Jhalak Prize 2022 shortlists announced as judges hail ‘extraordinary’ talent

Shortlists for the Jhalak Prize and Jhalak Children’s and Young Adult Prize have been announced, with organisers praising the "extraordinary range" of titles on display.

The Jhalak Prize is an annual literary award for British or British-resident writers of colour; it was established in 2016. A sister award for children’s and YA books was announced and kicked off in 2021. Six books are selected for each prize and this year the lists span biography, graphic memoir, narrative fiction, poetry, essays and picture books.

For the Jhalak Prize itself, Arifa Akbar has been shortlisted for Consumed (Sceptre), Mona Arshi for Somebody Loves You (And Other Stories) and Vahni Capildeo for Like a Tree, Walking (Carcanet).

Also on the list are Tice Cin’s Keeping the House (And Other Stories), Sabba Khan’s The Roles We Play (Myriad) and Kei Miller’s Things I Have Withheld (Canongate). 

The shortlist  for the  Jhalak Children’s and Young Adult Prize features Faridah Àbíkí-Íyímídé for Ace of Spades (Usborne), We’re Going to Find the Monster by Malorie Blackman and Dapo Adeola (Puffin), Musical Truth: A Musical History of Modern Black Britain in 28 Songs by Jeffrey Boakye, illustrated by Ngadi Smart (Faber), Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths by Maisie Chan (Piccadilly Press), The Sound of Everything by Rebecca Henry (Everything With Words) and The Crossing by Manjeet Mann (PRH Children’s). 

Commenting on the 2022 shortlists,  prize director Sunny Singh  said: “Once again, Jhalak Prize shortlists are testaments to the extraordinary range and quality of work being produced by writers of colour in contemporary Britain.

“I am particularly struck by the bold experiments in form and genre, courageous explorations of themes and ideas and the incredible variety of creative practice demonstrated by our shortlistees. Our 2022 shortlists are made up of books to be read and re-read, and remembered and cherished far into the future.”

The Jhalak Prize judges this year are Mary Jean Chan, Chimene Suleyman and Stephen Thompson. Chan said: “Each of these shortlisted books are ones I will keep returning to for inspiration, pleasure and solace. These writers make language new again in ways I hadn’t previously imagined possible.”

 Commenting on the Jhalak Children’s and Young Adult Prize 2022 shortlist, judge Nii Ayikwei Parkes, who was joined on the panel by Sufiya Ahmed and Patrice Lawrence, added: “This is a list of inventive, hilarious, heartbreaking, eye-opening and profoundly human books. In truth, some of the books on the shortlist have snuck up on us and made us love them more than we ever thought we would.” 

The two winners will be announced at the British Library on 26th May; they will each receive £1,000 and a specially created artwork as part of the Jhalak Arts Residency.

In partnership with National Book Tokens, for a second year 12 independent bookshops will celebrate the shortlists. Each of the 12 shortlisted titles will be championed by an independent bookshop, creating content ranging from videos to author Q&As, social outreach to special events.

They include Brighton’s Afrori Books championing Ace of Spades, Five Leaves Bookshop in Nottingham showcasing Musical Truth and Cardiff’s Shelf Life Books and Zines championing Somebody Loves You.

Singh said: “The Jhalak Prize is delighted to once again partner with 12 independent bookshops who join us as our Bookshop Champions to celebrate shortlisted books in the run-up to our awards on 26th May. Independent bookshops are crucial to our industry and absolute life-savers for writers. Their ongoing role in championing our shortlists cannot be emphasised enough and we are truly grateful for their support.”

The Jhalak Prize has also partnered with the London Library this year. All shortlisted authors will receive a one-year membership to the library and will be invited to attend an event to showcase the shortlists on 11th May.