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Quick answer: The Booker Prize is chosen by a panel of five judges who read novels submitted by publishers, plus extra books they call in themselves. They select a longlist of 12 or 13 books, then a shortlist of six, and finally name one winner. Eligible books are novels written in English and published in the UK or Ireland in the prize year. The rules are updated periodically, so check the official site.
Quick facts
Judges: a panel of five, appointed by the Booker Prize Foundation
Publishers submit books under quotas based on past longlisting
Judges can call in additional titles
Longlist: 12 or 13 books (the Booker Dozen)
Shortlist: six books; winner receives 50,000 pounds
The Booker Prize is one of the most famous awards in fiction, and its process is more structured than many people realize. Here is a clear overview of how books move from submission to winner. Rules change, so confirm details with the Booker Prize Foundation.
Table of Contents
Who Can Win?
The Booker Prize is open to novels written in English by authors of any nationality, published in the UK or Ireland within the eligibility period, which generally runs from October of one year to September of the next. Before 2014, only writers from the Commonwealth, Ireland and Zimbabwe were eligible; the rules were widened to all English-language fiction. A separate International Booker Prize honors fiction translated into English.
Who Submits Books?
Authors and agents cannot enter books directly. Publishers submit books to the prize, and each publisher is limited to a certain number of submissions depending on how many of its books have been longlisted in recent years. A publisher with no recent longlistings might submit one title, while those with a strong record can submit more. There are no fees for publishers.
The Role of Call-Ins
Judges can also request books they think deserve consideration, which are called call-ins. Publishers may also propose a small number of extra titles with a justification. This system gives the panel flexibility to read books that might otherwise be overlooked. The aim is to ensure that strong novels are not excluded because of a publisher’s quota.
The Judges
The panel consists of five judges, including a chair, selected by the Booker Prize Foundation with the advice of an advisory committee. Judges are usually writers, critics, academics or other literary figures. They read hundreds of novels over several months, often more than 150, and deliberate in private.
Longlist, Shortlist and Winner
The judges choose a longlist of 12 or 13 titles, nicknamed the Booker Dozen, usually announced in late July. A shortlist of six follows in September, and the winner is announced in November at a ceremony in London. The winner receives 50,000 pounds, and each shortlisted author receives 2,500 pounds and a designer bound copy of their book.
What Do the Judges Look For?
The Booker Foundation says judges look for the best novel of the year, not for a particular style. Winners have included historical fiction, experimental works and contemporary dramas. The judges’ decision reflects their own tastes and debates, and each year’s panel can lead to different choices.
How to Follow the Booker
Read the longlist and form a reading group. Many bookstores and libraries create displays. Compare your favorites with the judges’ picks. You can find past winners and shortlisted titles on Amazon. Following the process is a fun way to discover new authors.
Famous Booker Winners
Past winners include Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie, The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro, The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel and, in 2019, The Testaments by Margaret Atwood and Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo, who shared the prize. Reading a few winners shows the range of styles the judges have rewarded.
The Booker Prize and Sales
A Booker win or even a longlisting can boost a book’s sales significantly, bring new readers and lead to translations and adaptations. Bookstores promote the shortlist, and book clubs often read it. Critics sometimes debate whether the prize favors certain kinds of novels, but it remains a trusted guide for many readers looking for serious fiction.
Related Prizes Worth Knowing
Other major fiction prizes include the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, the National Book Award, the Women’s Prize for Fiction, the Nobel Prize in Literature and the International Booker Prize for translations. Each has its own rules and judges. Reading the shortlists of several prizes is a good way to find excellent books across styles and countries.
Booker Controversies and Changes
The Booker has changed over the years, including opening to American authors in 2014, which drew debate. Publishers’ quotas were introduced to manage the number of submissions. Some critics argue that the prize favors certain kinds of novels. Whatever your view, the changes show that literary prizes evolve with the publishing landscape.
Following the Prize Calendar
The cycle begins with submissions in the first half of the year, a longlist in late summer, a shortlist in early autumn and a winner in November. Mark your calendar and plan to read along. Many libraries hold displays and book clubs, which makes it a social event as well.
Related: how to choose book club books and how to read classics without getting bored.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Booker Prize books chosen?
Judges select from publisher submissions and their own call-ins.
Who judges the Booker Prize?
A panel of five judges chosen by the Booker Prize Foundation.
Can authors submit their own books?
No, only publishers can submit.
How many books are on the longlist?
Usually 12 or 13.
When is the winner announced?
Typically in November.