We are delighted to share the 16 books that make up the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist. An expansive list that showcases the profound force, resonance and scale of fiction writing, the 16 titles – including nine from independent publishers and seven debuts – are a true treasure trove for readers.

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From tackling turbulent global issues to examining the intensely intimate, the longlist explores the consequences of displacement and amplifies voices often forgotten, casts a brutal yet tender lens on familial relationships and shatters the expectations of mother-child relationships, and reflects on today’s ever increasing crisis of identity and search for human connection.