McDermid to join Man Booker judging panel

The panel of judges for the 2018 Man Booker Prize will include crime writer Val McDermid and feminist writer and critic Jacqueline Rose.

The panel, chaired by philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah, will also be made up of cultural critic Leo Robson and artist and graphic novelist Leanne Shapton.

Gaby Wood, literary director of the Booker Prize Foundation, said: "This year’s judging panel is not only stellar in its distinction, its members have a stunningly broad range of tastes and enthusiasms too. They are all long-standing champions of creative work who will be open to any excellent novel that may come their way, regardless of genre or geography."

The judging panel will be looking for the best novel of the year, selected from entries published in the UK between 1st October 2017 and 30th September 2018, with the shortlist to be announced next July.

The prize will mark its 50th anniversary next year with a range of celebrations.