The Royal Book Prize 2026: Announcement of the 15 International Semi-Finalists

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — The Royal Book Prize 2026 announces the 15 writers selected for the semi-final stage of its international literary competition, bringing together authors from different countries, cultures and literary backgrounds.

Based in the United States of America, The Royal Book Prize 2026 seeks to celebrate literary creativity, recognise outstanding works and strengthen connections between writers and literary communities around the world.

The announcement of the 15 semi-finalists represents an important stage in this edition of the competition. The selected authors come from different geographical regions and literary traditions, reflecting the international scope of the prize.

THE 15 SEMI-FINALISTS OF THE ROYAL BOOK PRIZE 2026

1. KOPANO MATLWA — SOUTH AFRICA

– Selected Work: Coconut

The South African writer joins the semi-finalists with Coconut, a work that contributes to the African literary presence in this international competition.

2. MOHAMED MBOUGAR SARR — SENEGAL

– Selected Work: The Most Secret Memory of Men (La Plus Secrète Mémoire des Hommes)

The Senegalese writer, internationally recognised for his literary work and winner of the 2021 Prix Goncourt, brings an important African literary voice to this edition.

3. UPILE CHISALA — MALAWI

– Selected Work: Soft Magic

The Malawian poet joins the semi-finalists with a work that adds poetry and another African literary perspective to the selection.

4. MADELINE CASH — UNITED STATES

– Selected Work: Lost Lambs

The American writer is represented in the semi-final stage with Lost Lambs, contributing to the diversity of contemporary fiction in the competition.

5. MAGGIE SU — UNITED STATES

– Selected Work: Blob: A Love Story

The American writer secures a place among the 15 semi-finalists with her work Blob: A Love Story.

6. CARRIE R. MOORE — UNITED STATES

– Selected Work: Make Your Way Home

The writer joins the international selection with a work of short fiction, adding another literary perspective from the United States.

7. DANTIEL W. MONIZ — UNITED STATES

– Selected Work: Milk Blood Heat

The American writer enters the semi-final stage with Milk Blood Heat, a collection of short stories that contributes to the range of literary forms represented in this edition.

8. GUGU ROQUE SAPENGO — ANGOLA

– Selected Work: Mulher de Três Maridos

Angolan writer Augusto Salassi Roque Sapengo, known as Gugu Roque Sapengo, joins the semi-finalists with Mulher de Três Maridos, representing Angola in this international literary competition.

9. CALEB AZUMAH NELSON — BRITISH-GHANAIAN

– Selected Work: Open Water

The British-Ghanaian writer brings another cultural perspective to the selection with Open Water, strengthening the international character of this edition.

10. JOHN PATRICK MCHUGH — IRELAND

– Selected Work: Fun and Games

The Irish writer joins the semi-final stage with Fun and Games, adding an Irish literary voice to the international selection.

11. MOSES MCKENZIE — UNITED KINGDOM

– Selected Work: An Olive Grove in Ends

The British writer secures a place among the 15 semi-finalists with An Olive Grove in Ends, contributing to the diversity of contemporary fiction represented in the competition.

12. JOÃO KAVETO — ANGOLA

– Selected Work: No Banco – Os Valores de Ngunji à Mesa dos Drongos

The Angolan writer joins the semi-finalists with a work that brings another Angolan literary perspective to the international stage.

13. MARIA FRANCISCA GAMA — PORTUGAL

– Selected Work: A Cicatriz

The Portuguese writer secures her place among the semi-finalists with A Cicatriz, adding another European voice to this international selection.

14. NITUECHENI AFRICANO — ANGOLA

– Selected Work: O Homem que Não Sabe Morrer

The Angolan writer, who currently resides in Lisbon, Portugal, competes with O Homem que Não Sabe Morrer, in the fiction — novel category. His participation forms part of the group of African authors represented in this international edition.

15. GINA CHUNG — KOREAN-AMERICAN

– Selected Work: Sea Change

The Korean-American writer completes the list of 15 semi-finalists with her work Sea Change, adding another cultural background to the international diversity represented in this edition.

A SELECTION THAT BRINGS TOGETHER CONTINENTS AND CULTURES

The composition of the 15 semi-finalists highlights the geographical and cultural diversity of The Royal Book Prize 2026. The list brings together African, European and North American writers, as well as authors from different cultural backgrounds, creating a platform for distinct literary experiences.

The presence of authors such as Kopano Matlwa, Mohamed Mbougar Sarr and Upile Chisala reinforces African participation, while Angolan writers Gugu Roque Sapengo, João Kaveto and Nituecheni Africano contribute additional voices and experiences to the continent’s representation.

Alongside these participants, writers from Ireland, the United Kingdom, Portugal and the United States form part of a selection that spans different literary genres and forms of expression.

The initiative seeks to contribute to the recognition of literary creativity, the discovery of authors and the strengthening of connections between literary communities across the world.

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