The Folio Prize announces 2015 shortlist

Judges of The Folio Prize 2015 have announced the eight titles on the much anticipated shortlist:

'10:04' by Ben Lerner (Granta) 
'All My Puny Sorrows' by Miriam Toews (Faber) 
'Dept. of Speculation' by Jenny Offill (Granta) 
'Dust' by Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor (Granta) 
'Family Life' by Akhil Sharma (Faber) 
'How to Be Both' by Ali Smith (Hamish Hamilton) 
'Nora Webster' by Colm Tóibín (Viking) 
'Outline' by Rachel Cusk (Faber) 

Sponsored by The Folio Society, celebrated publisher of beautiful editions of the world’s greatest books, the prize recognises the best English-language fiction from around the world, regardless of form, genre or the author’s country of origin. Rich and varied, with writers originating from North America, the UK, Ireland, Kenya and India, the shortlist comprises a wide range of international voices. Familiar prize-winning names - Ali Smith and Colm Tóibín - are joined by critically-acclaimed newer voices such as Ben Lerner and Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor.

Independent publishers make a strong showing, with Faber and Granta representing three titles each, while the world's largest English language publisher, Penguin Random House, represents the remaining two places on the list. A number of these books are explicitly engaged with the process of writing itself, with each in its own way triumphantly affirming the unique role storytelling plays in making sense of our complex world.

Shortlisted authors are now in the running for the £40,000 overall prize, which will be awarded at a special ceremony at the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel on Monday 23 March.

For over 65 years The Folio Society has been publishing beautiful illustrated editions of the world's greatest books. With specially commissioned illustrations, many editions are further enhanced with introductions written by leading figures in their fields: novelists, journalists, academics, scientists and artists. There are hundreds of Folio Society editions currently in print covering fiction, biography, history, science, philosophy, children's literature, humour, myths and legends and more. Exceptional in content and craftsmanship and maintaining the very highest standards of fine book production, Folio Society editions are created to last for generations. Folio Society titles can be bought from www.foliosociety.com, by telephone on 0207 400 4200, by visiting The Folio Society Bookshop, 44 Eagle Street, London, WC1R 4FS, or from selected retail partners.