Short story writer, Dima Alzayat, has been shortlisted for the Deborah Rogers Writers’ Award, a prize set up to support first-time writers working on their debut book. Dima’s stories, including The Daughters of Manat, have been selected by judges Anne Enright, Jenny Uglow and Pete Hobbs, on a shortlist of just three. Chair of judges, Anne Enright, said, “The judges are delighted with this varied and hugely interesting shortlist which shows the vigour and range of writing in English today. New work is always so heartfelt. It is a privilege to witness talent at this early stage.”

Dima won the Bristol Short Story Prize in November 2017 with her story Ghusl, and is now writing a collection of short stories alongside completing her PhD on Arab American Fiction, and teaching creative writing at Lancaster University.

The winner will be announced on Wednesday 16th May, and will also appear at Hay Festival on Sunday 27th May. Read more about the Award here.